Tempo
A grasshopper rock musician and the game’s playable protagonist.
How it plays
Tempo is viewed from the side and played through a sequence of themed platforming stages. The objective is to reach the end of each area, defeat enemies, avoid hazards, collect items, and overcome bosses.
Tempo can run, jump, attack, and use movement-based abilities to cross gaps and reach elevated platforms. Stages contain branching routes and bonus opportunities, while successful completion advances the story toward later areas and confrontations.
Plan your run
Learn the timing of Tempo’s jumps before attempting fast movement through hazards. Explore platforms and side paths for useful items, but avoid rushing into enemies when the camera reveals a new section.
Against bosses, prioritize recognizing attack patterns and attack during safe openings rather than relying on continuous contact. Preserve health for the final portions of each stage.
Meet the cast
A grasshopper rock musician and the game’s playable protagonist.
Before you begin
Use short, controlled jumps near enemies and platform edges.
Check alternate routes instead of following the most obvious path.
Treat boss encounters as pattern-learning exercises.
Tempo is a side-scrolling action platformer developed by Red Company and published by Sega for the Sega 32X. It follows Tempo, a grasshopper rock musician who travels through colorful stages while battling enemies and collecting items. The game combines conventional jumping and attacks with exaggerated animation, musical presentation, and a playful comic tone. Its levels emphasize exploration as well as forward movement, with hazards, platforms, bonuses, and boss encounters shaping progression. Tempo arrived during the 32X’s short commercial life and is often remembered as an inventive but obscure release. Contemporary and later reception has generally highlighted its distinctive visual style and character animation, while noting uneven pacing and the limited audience of the 32X hardware.
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