Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius Review (no fat)

Game Description

The game holds true to its movie inspiration, Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius. The 10 year old genius, Jimmy must save the Earth from an extraterrestrial invasion with the help of his dog, Goddard. Being the planet’s only hope, he mustn’t let down the terrans, and stop the Twonkies’ attack. The characters from the movie are present in the game, and the plot for the movie and the game remain the same. But what matters the most in this game is not the story, it’s the action.

Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius Gameplay

You will play with two characters, Jimmy, and the robotic dog he created, Goddard. The game has six episodes, and the episodes have different stages you must conquer. To evolve to a higher stage, you have to do some tasks. Beside this, you can also search for secret areas, but these cannot be opened until you do some additional things. Usually you will have to collect pieces to create objects: Jimmy’s spaceship, devices to destroy the Twonkies or special inventions that will be used later in the game.

The game is not all about puzzles though. You will fight against the alien threat, and for that you will have to collect weapons and ammunition for them. Health packs and fuel packs can also be picked from the map, and. Jimmy’s dog can be upgraded during the game to dig or to find pieces and even to break down some barriers. The action is stimulating, and you will need your reflexes to escape the intense situations.

Sometimes, you will even leave the parts search or alien shooting, and go for an adventure in space. The flying stages are created very well, and you will have some opportunities to use Jimmy’s ship to get in races on the Earth or in the entire galaxy. The speed illusion is created impressive, and this makes the flying moments unique throughout the game.

Controlling both characters (Jimmy and Goddard) could’ve been a little bit tricky because of the interface. But the game has a very good tutorial that explains you how to get the best you can from the genius and the dog, and how to avoid getting into difficult moments because of not knowing the controls. The game’s difficulty evolves steadily during the game, and, from the easy moments when you only had to walk to collect some ship parts, there will come some levels that will require your abilities, and make you use the characters at their maximum capacity.

Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius Multiplayer

The multiplayer is a very important part for this sort of games, and Jimmy Neutron allows you to play with three more people by link up cable. The only condition is that all four must have a copy of the game. The most interesting part of the multiplayer is the Space Ship races, because it is gives you the chance to beat your friends at high speeds in the universe. Not only is the multiplayer fun, but you are also give a free hand on how you go about your challenges…play fair or get innovative, everything is fair in love and Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius’ multiplayer mode.

Also, there is a platform mode for multiplayer, in which you will have to collect as many coins as possible. The map’s size changes if the number of players does, so that there is enough space for everybody. And the multiplayer is the most entertaining part because you get to play against real humans, not only against the AI. A cooperative mode doesn’t exist, although it would’ve been very interesting to have Jimmy and his dog playing at the same time.

Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius Action

The game tests your reflexes often, and you will have to show ability in jumping, shooting, collecting parts or other special items. Jimmy Neutron also has a RPG-like side, giving you the possibility to collect parts for special items, to upgrade the dog and the ship, or to build some unique inventions. The multiplayer is also very fun and full of action, especially in the Space Ship races, where the amazing speed can easily turn into a big accident.

Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius Technicalities

The graphics are amazing for GBA, especially because of the level of detail and of the well created environment. Both characters are created with amazing animations, showing them flying, running or jumping, digging or breaking down barriers. Also, some movie scenes are present in the game, and this contributes to the narrative’s connection between the game and the movie. Some special effects like explosions or smoke are also well animated.

The sound effects are not exceptional though, and the music is the one from the movie with a cartoon style, but the characters’ voices are not sampled from the movie, and this destroys the illusion that you are actually playing the movie. But the sounds are good enough, and keep the game’s cartoon style.

Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius – 2cent

With a lot of action and diversity, Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius can keep you hooked for hours. A thing worth mention the length of gameplay offered, it is more than double from what other cartoon platformers generally offer. Also, the multiplayer increases the game’s duration, offering a lot of fun with your friends, as you can link up and play with: Jimmy, Goddard, Nick, Dad, Carl, Cindy, and others.

It is a game that allows you to do many things, but most importantly, to do them with as much fun as possible. It is not an intelligent game with a complicated plot or sophisticated action, but Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius can surely offer a few hours of relaxation and fun, and that is what makes it a collectable.

Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius Cost

The game retails for $14.99, at the time of this review