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The Reanimator is an invention created by Professor Farnsworth. It is essentially an instant resurrection machine; it produces a duplicate of a recently deceased person, complete with their memories. This device provides an internal explanation for the game mechanic of multiple lives in the Futurama video game for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. Like the game itself, the Reanimator is not generally considered canon.

The device is shaped like an old-style toaster, except that it stands about 8 or 9 feet tall. Like most Farnsworth inventions, it also features a number of seemingly-unnecessary buttons, switches and lights attached haphazardly to its sides. A body produced by the device emerges from the toaster "slot", complete with a "toast pop-up" sound effect.

As a meta-reference to both science fiction and video game tropes, the device and its function are a constant source of humor in the game. For example, a number of cut-scenes in the game detail the difficulty the crew has in hauling the large device around from planet to planet, level to level, and in one scene, where the Planet Express ship is about to crash, Fry exclaims, "we're going to die!" Bender replied by saying, "So what? We've been dying all game".

Inconsistencies[]

The device is always found somewhere at the beginning of each level, suggesting that the player will return to this point if they die. However, each level features a number of "checkpoints" along the way, where re-spawning players actually appear. Additionally, some missions in the game are spread across multiple levels (usually on the same planet and controlling the same character). However, the Reanimator only appears at the beginning of the first of these connected levels.

The Reanimator has a dial with three settings "Fry", "Bender", and "Leela", indicating the three playable characters in the game. In fact, Leela learns that she is a playable character only after she is shown her name printed on the dial. However, no explanation is given for how it is able to reincarnate Bender, who is a robot.

Appearances[]

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