Star Paws

About

Star Paws casts you as a space-suited dog named Rover Pawstrong hunting alien chicken substitutes called Space Griffiths across a side-scrolling planet. The goal is simple: chase down 20 of these creatures before time runs out. You can either pounce on them directly or use power-ups from scattered crates to aid your pursuit. A visible roast chicken on screen gradually transforms into bones as the clock ticks down, adding urgency. Later levels shift to claustrophobic mines, where dodging hazards while tracking elusive prey ramps up the challenge. The game’s charm lies in its absurd premise and tight platforming mechanics. Despite its 1987 release, the blend of timed objectives and item-based strategy feels surprisingly brisk for the era. While the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum versions handle slightly differently, both stick to the core loop of frantic running and precise jumping. With a Metacritic score of 6.5, it’s clear retro fans appreciate the game’s retrofuturistic dog-in-space aesthetic and escalating difficulty curve.