Sam & Max would not see mass-market appeal until 1992. Steve Purcell had been working for LucasArts for a considerable amount of time, especially on their range of SCUMM titles. Thanks to the relative success and popularity of the comics, LucasArts began placing cameo appearances of the pair in various titles. Eventually, the cameos would evolve into something larger, and Sam & Max Hit the Road was born.

Around this time, I had just discovered Sam & Max for myself. Having settled into my new school, I had established somewhat of a rapport with a few of my fellow students. A handful of classmates had PCs, and we had created somewhat of a habit of trading videogames with each other. Much like the days of mix tapes and friendship bracelets, this was a courtesy that was more-or-less the norm between the hoodlums my age. At some point in this flurry of questionable game swapping, I had come across this fantastic blend of satirical Americana and slapstick humor. I had developed somewhat of a soft spot for point-and-click adventure titles at this point from having consumed the Maniac Mansion series like a rabid animal. I was still coming off the high of Day of the Tentacle and eager for more.

Immediately after booting the game, I was in love. No more than 30 seconds after starting the game up, I was greeted with gems of cynical humor, a large cartoon dog, a masochistic rabbit and an exploding man. To this day I can still remember the subtle details of the disembodied head (with a surprising lack of gore) being gleefully clutched by the hyperactive lagomorph. This would ultimately set the ball rolling on one of the most hysterical games that I have ever played.

The rest of the story would have the two on an adventure across the United States hitting famous landmarks and lampooning each one on the way: The world's largest ball of twine, a carnival (complete with a rather grim tunnel of love), and a flurry of other over-the-top tourist traps. These were all important stages for their adventure, and each would hold the key to ultimately solving the ultimate mystery of the game—the location of an escaped Sasquatch.

Everything about this game was top notch. The animation was fluid, the graphics were spot on, and the voice acting puts most modern titles to shame. The script has an acerbic wit that left me in tears on more than one occasion, even if a good portion of the humor was lost on me at the time.

The game would eventually run its course, as all good things do. Eventually, Fox Television would create a delightful children's cartoon series based on the antics of Sam & Max. The cartoon was decidedly less adult in its humor. Strict policies on things like gun usage and the color of mucus discharge ultimately made it feel more like a cheap knock-off when compared to its previous incarnations. The show was still fantastic, winning acclaim from critics and fans alike. (Present party included. It was one of the last cartoons I would wake up early on Saturday to watch.) The series ran for a mere 24 episodes before ultimately being canceled in 1998.

Sadly, this was almost last we would see of the series. There was much speculation on new games being released under the Sam & Max name. LucasArts began work on at least 2 new games before ultimately canceling both of them. Only recently did Tell Tale Games begin producing additional titles. Sam & Max: Season 1, six bite sized adventures, were created to be released only through GameTap. Eventually they found cross-market viability as a series of direct to download titles and a bargain bundle in major retailers.

Though I haphazardly stumbled onto Sam & Max, it became a series that has stuck with me the longer than any other. I've developed an irrational need to consume anything with any association to Sam & Max. This need has only been worsened by the recent release of new games, the cartoon coming soon on DVD, and the eventual re-release of the comics in a single volume. My recommendation is that anyone and everyone with even a scrap of cash at least try a couple of the Tell Tale releases. And, if at all possible, find the original game. Be forewarned, I claim no responsibility over lost sleep, increased desire to own a large firearm and cravings for cheese.

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