Play The Three Stooges Online

I remember picking up The Three Stooges for the NES back in 1989. It was developed by Beam Software and published by Activision, a game that tried to capture the slapstick comedy of the original shorts on the home console. During that era, it was common to see licensed properties turned into side scrolling platformers or beat 'em ups, and this one aimed to stand out with its chaotic, multi character approach.

You control Moe, Larry, and Curly, switching between them to progress through various stages. The main goal is to earn money for the Stooges' mother by completing odd jobs and mini games, like delivering pies or fixing plumbing. Signature mechanics include the character swapping, which is necessary because each Stooge has a unique ability for specific tasks, and the slap attacks you use to fend off enemies or accidentally hit your own teammates. The pacing is frantic, and the difficulty can spike unexpectedly during some of the timed mini games. Playing it feels like managing a controlled disaster, where half the fun comes from the unintended consequences of your own actions.