Dr Seuss: Cat in the Hat (Game Boy Advance) - Review by Andrew

Introduction

Living in Europe we don't quite have the same attachment to Dr Seuss as Americans do so whilst the adventures of The Cat in the Hat and friends are a staple of stateside youth, they've only really become widely known over here thanks to Universal Studios? discovery that they transfer rather well to the big screen. We've already been treated to How The Grinch Stole Christmas and although US audiences have already seen The Cat in the Hat at their local multiplex we've had to wait until Easter to see Mike Myers playing the title role of this manic feline. Although the movie has received somewhat mixed reviews from critics, every pre-teen I've encountered seems to have loved it and this GBA title from Digital Eclipse is unashamedly aimed at this very audience. So if you're above this age and considering it for yourself stop reading now, everyone else welcome to the wild, wacky world of The Cat in the Hat...

Gameplay

The action is approached in three different ways: platform, underwater and driving although the latter section is mainly for bonus entertainment and doesn't even have to be entered to complete the game. The bulk is given over to platforming and whilst this is by no means original it's hard to think of a more appropriate genre for the Cat to play out his wacky adventures. As you'd expect this section involves collecting and disposing of the rather irritating creatures that have managed to escape from the Giant Red Crate. This is simple enough as the levels are easy to navigate, though there always seems to be one creature that's that much more elusive than the rest. Once you've cleared the level a warp gate will open and it's onto the next stage.

As I mentioned before the other levels only play a minor role in the game. The underwater section involves you playing Diver Dan in what can best be described as a vertical scrolling shooter. This really is incredibly simple with the action scrolling from left to right while you try to rescue your friend, Fish. Just to stop it being completely mindless you occasionally have to top up your oxygen levels from the various treasure chests scattered about the levels. Finally there's the driving section, which has to be the least enjoyable of the three sections and can only be played if you manage to locate the 'Thing' icon on the platform levels. This is a simple game of chase but really is so unengaging it's a mystery as to why it's included at all.

Controls

The control system is incredibly simple but you're not actually asking your on-screen character to do an awful lot. Outside of your general platforming and trapping creatures there's not much to concern yourself with. On the plus side it is all very responsive and intuitive, it's just a shame this tight control system wasn't put to better use.

Graphics

Visuals are undoubtedly one of the game?s highlights with oversized, surreal backdrops dominating the levels. There's also some very pleasing animation from both the cat and the various other on-screen creatures that manage to move around the levels in a fluid and frame-filled manner. Sadly the game as a whole lacks any real imagination and level design so once you've played one platform section there's little in the way of surprises from the others with the driving levels in particular, incredibly bland with only the passing trees or houses creating any illusion of movement. There's also little reference to the actual movie with only a handful of screen grabs from the big screen outing although it does feel closer to the original 1950's book.

Sound

Unusually for developers Digital Eclipse the audio is fairly average. That's not to say that it's not worth a listen as the audio team have had a decent stab of recreating the movie?s theme and incidental music but its a little too ambitious for the GBA's sound chip and the short loops don't help matters either. The sound effects are a bit better but you really have heard all this before with the ?Looney Tunes? sound warehouse once again being put to good use.

Final comments

What's in The Cat in the Hat is actually quite pleasing and children will love the colorful backgrounds and familiar characters. It's all pretty accessible too with little in the way of problematic gameplay or confusing problems. Unfortunately this is also the game's undoing as while it's easy to get into it's just as easy to put down and the repetitive gameplay is only really worth five minutes of anyone?s time. In fact, if you manage to play for more than five minutes you deserve an award. There's also a problem with the lack of humor. If you've ever read any of the Dr Seuss books you'll realize that the developer hasn?t managed to catch any of the comedy that runs through both the books and films. That said, for its intended demographic who simply wish to bring the books alive or 'be the cat' it's certainly not the worse movie tie-in out there, but as you?ll know if you've been reading my reviews for any length of time that's certainly no recommendation.

Pro: Nice Visuals.
Con: Repetitive Gameplay.
Final score: 5.1

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