INTRO
Scooby is bigger than ever! As a kid, I certainly was familiar with our
marble-mouthed friend. While not my favorite cartoon, it was always in the mix
and I’ve seen every episode multiple times. Thanks to a successful movie and
multiple DVD releases, a whole new generation of tikes is goin’ gaga over Rooby
Roo (and Raggy too!). It only makes sense that Scooby invade next Gen gaming, on
the PS2 and Gamecube.
STORY
Simply put, the game’s storyline follows the same formula that many of the shows
did. In this case, Dahpne’s buxom friend Holly pleads for the gang’s help.
Holly’s uncle is none other than the famous Alexander Graham, only problem is
that he’s missing, ripes! Packed in the Mystery Machine, the gang rolls
into a mostly deserted town, well except for the monsters of course. Will Scoob
and the gang be able to put together the clues and solve the mystery at hand and
uncover who’s behind it? That’s where you come in.
CONTROL/GAMEPLAY (5)
The control scheme is very simple. The control stick (or d-pad) is used to
control Scooby’s movement. The green “A” button is used to jump, hitting it
twice will cause a double jump, hitting it twice and holding will active the
umbrella (when equipped). The red “B” button will execute a head smash, when
equipped with the football helmet it becomes a super head smash, and while in
the air it becomes a thunder smash. This is Scoob’s main offensive weapon, and I
liken it to the Mario butt bounce. The “X” button allows Scoob to dig up flowers
and find food, it also allows you to talk to people and enter doors when
prompted. The “Y” button calls up your onscreen display, and holding the “R”
trigger down while moving makes Scooby run. Holding the purple “Z” button along
with the “R” trigger initiates the sneak mode, which is very useful. The “L”
trigger allows Scoob to spit a wad of gum at enemies, and if you hit it while
holding the “Z” button he’ll blow a soap bubble. The C-stick simply allows for
menu navigation. The controls are simple, however I found them to be quite
sloppy and unrefined. In a game that requires precision at times, the controls
can make for fits of frustration, hence the low rating.
The Gameplay genre is essentially a platformer. You’ll need to collect coins, er
rings, I mean Scooby Snacks (yeah ,that’s it). These are collected and you’ll
need to accumulate them to enter various doors. Scooby also has a handful of
food power ups. Scoob starts with three dog tags as his health meter, eating
food can expand it up to 5, encountering enemies or other dangerous obstacles
will cost you a tag, exhaust them and game over.
As the game progresses you’ll need to navigate numerous obstacle courses, which
vary from simple, to very frustrating (do mostly to the controls). As you
progress you’ll also pick up necessary power-ups which will allow to enter
otherwise blocked areas. The game has essentially three major areas, each has a
multitude of levels and stages. Your map will allow you to view areas you yet to
encounter, which will make it easier to decide a course of action. Throughout
all the levels there are Warp Mirrors, which allow you to rapidly move through
the levels without having to do tons of backtracking (this would be a real pain
due to the obstacle courses). One of the minor differences between this game and
your traditional progressively leveled platformer, is that here you will have to
go back into earlier levels and due tasks that are locked, until you get one of
the many power-ups. In addition, there are save points spaced throughout the
levels, made apparent by a little floating Mystery Machine. Overall the game
lacks, both in control refinement and game layout.
POWER-UPS
Find the Jump Springs and Scoob will be able to perform the much needed double
jump. The Bunny Slippers and Lampshade are quite funny. When encountering an
enemy Scoob can slap a Lampshade on his head and stand still and he’ll be
“hidden” from his enemies. The Bunny Slippers simply let him tip-toe by. The
Football Helmet allows Scoob to break through spider webs and boxes, allowing
him to access additional areas. Find Soap and Scoob can blow bubbles which will
trap enemies for a short time, find Gum and Scoob can spit it at monsters, which
will keep them “glued” to a spot, allowing safe passage. The shovel can be used
to dig up food, every time you see a pink daisy, dig it up. There are a handful
of other power-ups, but these are the mainstays. The other thing you can collect
are Monster Tokens. After you get some, got to the Monster Gallery and approach
each monster who you have a token for, you will automatically see some trivia
info about the series. Nothing great, but it’ll make for a little side action if
you’re bored.
GRAPHICS (6)
The graphics aren’t anything amazing, but they are fairly true to the cartoon
series. Lighting effects are average at best, and the detail in the characters
(such as facial expressions, etc) leaves a lot to be desired, but again, Scooby
was never a highly detailed animation to begin with. The game runs smooth, but
looking like it does there’s no reason for the console to be taxed. The monsters
all move robotically, though Scooby’s movement is generally fluid, however
sloppy. Not terrible looking, but certainly won’t make you pop it in to wow your
friends.
SOUND (6)
Like the graphics above, you a have solid attempt to recreate the cartoon, but
again the execution falls a bit flat. The voice-overs are all quite good, but
the actual quality of the sound seems a little off to me, especially in the
voices. You get a variety of sound effects, many of which will be familiar (like
the sound Scooby makes when running in place). Musically you get a variety of
corny background tunes, and of course the game starts with the full theme song.
REPLAY (0)
I can’t imagine ever wanting to play this again after completion.
OVERALL (5)
Not the worst game on the Gamecube, but its definitely not worth a purchase, in
fact a rental would be questionable. It seems the game can’t strike a balance.
You’ll blow through some levels with such ease you’ll get bored, then you’ll die
numerous times trying to navigate a course, guessing what the controls will do.
The camera setup is adequate, but on occasion it’ll bite ya as well. I say only
rent if you’re a diehard Scooby fan, have young children who are into Scoob, or
have absolutely no other fresh titles to select from.
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Scooby-Doo:
Night of 100 Frights
