Have you ever been playing Pizza Tower and suddenly encountered a strange white chicken with a distinctive comb that looks like it could punch someone? Well that’s Mort the Chicken and his appearance in this frantic pizza-themed platformer might have left you scratching your head. I’ve been wondering about this myself, and after diving deep into the Pizza Tower wiki, I’m ready to share everything I discovered about this peculiar crossover.
The Unexpected Guest: Who Is Mort the Chicken?
Mort the Chicken isn’t just some random bird that the developers threw in for fun. He’s actually the titular protagonist from a PlayStation game called (you guessed it) “Mort the Chicken” which released way back in the day. In Pizza Tower, Mort appears as a special guest character, first showing up in the Fun Farm level.
What makes Mort special isn’t just his appearance – he’s actually a usable transformation that gives players unique abilities. When you transform into Mort, you can:
- Defeat Electric Potatoes (which are otherwise hazardous)
- Smack Mort Hooks for an extra jump boost
- Attack in multiple directions (including upwards and downwards)
How Mort Got Into Pizza Tower (No Copyright Issues Here!)
One of the most interesting things I found out was that Mort’s inclusion wasn’t just some random decision. Pizza Tower Guy (the developer) personally reached out to Mort’s creator to ask permission to include this character in the game. The creator gave their blessing, which is why Mort appears in Pizza Tower without any copyright problems.
This official confirmation happened on February 28th, 2019, when Pizza Tower Guy announced in the Discord Server that Mort would definitely be appearing in the game. That’s some serious dedication to getting a specific character!
Mort’s Appearance and Personality
Mort has a distinct look that makes him instantly recognizable:
- White feathers
- Long neck
- Brown head with large, round eyes
- Uniquely shaped comb with a hand-like leaf-shaped part at the top
What’s cool about Mort is that he can ball this comb into a fist to punch enemies, giving him a way to attack foes. This is his primary method of dealing with threats.
Personality-wise, Mort is described as mindless and generally uninterested in his surroundings, often looking bored. Despite this apparent lack of enthusiasm, in his original game, he’s portrayed as surprisingly brave and capable of defending himself and other chickens when needed – not typical chicken behavior!
In his original game, Mort worked as a children’s TV host, but in Pizza Tower, he seems to be just a regular chicken. A very strong, punch-happy regular chicken.
Mort’s Role in Pizza Tower
When you encounter Mort in Pizza Tower, he jumps out of a well (which might be a reference to the wells at the beginning of all levels in the original Mort the Chicken game).
Playing as Peppino with Mort
When Peppino (the main character) transforms into Mort, the gameplay changes significantly:
- Peppino holds Mort and uses him as a weapon
- Mort’s comb can be used to attack enemies
- The player can attack in multiple directions, including upwards and downwards
- Mort gives Peppino additional mobility options
Playing as The Noise with Mort
If you’re playing as The Noise, the interaction with Mort is even more violent (and kinda hilarious):
- The Noise holds Mort by the neck, basically choking the poor chicken
- When walking, The Noise continues choking Mort
- For jumping, The Noise swings Mort upward
- While falling, The Noise holds onto Mort by the legs
- For a double-jump, The Noise swings Mort around
- The Noise can even throw Mort like a boomerang!
This difference in how characters interact with Mort shows the attention to detail in the game design and adds personality to both Peppino and The Noise.
Scrapped Content and Fun Facts About Mort in Pizza Tower
Like many elements in game development, some of Mort’s potential features didn’t make it to the final release. Here’s some interesting tidbits I discovered:
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Scrapped Boss Fight – Originally, Mort was planned to be the boss of World 2, controlling a U.F.O. This idea was dropped when the developer changed his mind about the boss lineup.
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The Corn Pile – In earlier builds, Mort could be stopped by a pile of corn. This was his version of what the Priest is to other characters.
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Running Animation – Some builds (like Rework) had a special animation where Mort would force Peppino to run by smacking his butt with his comb!
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The Crumbling Tower Absence – Despite being collectible during The Crumbling Tower Of Pizza level, Mort doesn’t show up in the ending. The same happens with Snotty, if he’s left alive.
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The Mort Cube – There’s a secret collectible called the “Mort cube” hidden in Fun Farm.
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Animation Details – Peppino’s walk animation while holding Mort might be a reference to Crazy Wario, showing the developers’ attention to gaming references.
Why Mort’s Inclusion Makes Sense
So why did the developers decide to include Mort specifically? While the wiki doesn’t explicitly state the reasoning, I can make some educated guesses:
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Nostalgic Appeal – Including a character from a relatively obscure PlayStation game appeals to players who remember that era of gaming.
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Gameplay Variety – Mort provides unique gameplay mechanics that diversify the Pizza Tower experience.
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Stylistic Fit – Mort’s cartoon-like appearance and absurd premise (a punching chicken) fits perfectly with Pizza Tower’s over-the-top aesthetic.
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Developer Appreciation – Sometimes game developers just want to pay homage to games they personally enjoyed or found influential.
The Creative Process Behind Mort’s Implementation
The wiki shows several concept art pieces that demonstrate how Mort’s implementation evolved:
- Early designs show Peppino riding on Mort, which differs from the final implementation
- There were different concepts for how Mort would attack, including an angry face during fist attacks
- Concepts for what would happen when losing the Mort transformation, including Mort going to eat corn
- Some joke art featuring Mort dressed up like Peppino
These concept images reveal that the developers put significant thought into how Mort would function within the game, trying different approaches before settling on the final design.
The Community’s Reception
While the wiki doesn’t explicitly state how players received Mort, the fact that he has such a detailed wiki page suggests that the character made an impression on the community. The transformation provides useful gameplay mechanics, and the character’s quirky nature fits well with Pizza Tower’s overall vibe.
Is Mort Worth Using?
From a gameplay perspective, Mort offers some valuable abilities:
- He can defeat Electric Potatoes, which are otherwise dangerous obstacles
- The extra jump boost from Mort Hooks can help reach difficult areas
- The ability to attack in multiple directions gives players more combat options
So if you’re struggling with certain sections or enemies, transforming into Mort might give you the edge you need.
What This Crossover Tells Us About Indie Games
The inclusion of Mort in Pizza Tower is a perfect example of what makes indie games special. Unlike big-budget titles that often need to navigate complex licensing agreements, indie developers can sometimes make these fun crossovers happen simply by reaching out directly to other creators.
This kind of collaboration enriches the gaming ecosystem and creates unexpected connections between games across different eras. It’s a testament to the community-oriented nature of indie development.
So why is Mort the Chicken in Pizza Tower? Beyond the simple answer (because the developer asked nicely and got permission), Mort represents something special about game development: the ability to create unexpected connections between different gaming worlds.
His inclusion adds gameplay variety, a touch of nostalgia, and a dash of absurdist humor to an already chaotic and fun game. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the original Mort the Chicken or just discovering this punchy poultry for the first time, his presence in Pizza Tower enriches the experience in a uniquely gaming way.
Next time you encounter Mort jumping out of that well, you’ll know exactly why he’s there and the care that went into bringing him into the Pizza Tower universe.
FAQ About Mort in Pizza Tower
Q: Is Mort a permanent transformation?
A: No, like other transformations in Pizza Tower, Mort is temporary and you’ll return to normal if you take damage.
Q: Where can I find Mort in Pizza Tower?
A: Mort first appears in the Fun Farm level, jumping out of a well.
Q: Was Mort in the original Pizza Tower concept?
A: The wiki doesn’t specify when exactly Mort was conceived as a character for the game, but his official confirmation came in February 2019.
Q: Can all playable characters use Mort?
A: Yes, both Peppino and The Noise can use Mort, though they interact with him differently.
Q: Is the original Mort the Chicken game worth playing?
A: That’s subjective, but if you enjoy Mort in Pizza Tower, you might appreciate seeing where the character originated!
Mort the Chicken (2000)
An unknown amount of time in the past, Mort was the unwilling test pilot for Nasha Propulsion Laboratorys rocket sled. Here, Mort met and did a short interview with Chicken Little before being forcefully strapped to the rocket. The rockets extremely high speed stretched out Morts body as he rode on it, causing him to get his signature long comb and neck.
In the present day, Mort is the host of his own Saturday morning kids TV show. The show is said to be very popular, well-loved by sponsors and chicks alike. One day, suddenly and without warning, strange alien cubes emerge from a water well on the set of Morts show and kidnap his audience of chicks. While the rest of the chickens are left dumbfounded, Mort bravely jumps down the well after the cubes, determined to save his audience.[1]