Codename: Kids Next Door Review (no fat)

Game Description

Codename: Kids Next Door is another game that banks on a successful cartoon series for it's content. The game lets you assume the role of any of five pre-teens, who have gained popularity due to the unique style and narrative that the cartoons feature.

Equipped with a slew of gadgets, they take on a bunch of domineering adults. Cast as a 3D platform style action packed game, fans of Codename: Kids Next Door, should enjoy playing the part of their favorite characters and the challenges that the game throws up.

Codename: Kids Next Door Gameplay

Everything in this game is a direct take from the cartoon series and as such, fans of the series are the ones who are most likely to enjoy the experience. The plot is simple as the kids must quest to put an end to a plan hatched by some grown ups to release an evil villain from an arctic prison.

The kids, named Numbah 1 through 5, each have their own special abilities and behavior. Players have to employ these special abilities to tackle the obstacles and confrontations that are part of the platform style worlds. Movement is basically a combination of jumps and double jumps which can help you avoid the standard set of hazards that you encounter.

Much of the action comes from the melee style combat, encounters with boss characters and generally leaping onto crates, ledges, platforms and avoiding getting splattered by enemy attacks or falling into the toxic gooey stuff. Nothing new in here and if you've played a platform game before, this should be easy.

The positive side of the game is the nostalgia factor as the references to the cartoon series are good even if the overuse of Acronyms can be a bit painful at times. The kids have their own unique arsenal which include oddly named items like G.U.M.Z.O.O.K.A. While the references are great and could have accounted for some good entertainment, poor graphics, clunky controls and poor implementation of the camera spoils the experience. The missions are also loosely strung and don’t provide seamless entertainment.

Codename: Kids Next Door Graphics & Sound

At it's best, the graphics in Codename: Kids Next Door look average. The game does have some colorful levels that are thoughtfully designed but the quirky camera makes it hard for the gamer to enjoy any of it.

The game uses voice acting from the cartoon series that is fun, if not brilliant. A slew of interesting sound effects and some decent soundtracks complete the equation. The sound meshes well with the gameplay.

Having a great template to work on should have made the task easier for the developers but the overall translation from cartoon to video game could have been much better.

Codename: Kids Next Door Summary

Only a small percentage of movies and animated films that gets translated into video games, succeed in capturing the true essence of the source while ensuring addictive gameplay and great content. Unfortunately, Codename: Kids Next Door falls short as it fails to deliver in quite a few departments.

With a bunch of loosely strung missions, blocky graphics, an erratic camera and nothing new to offer, this game might just be good for die hard fans of the series or for collectors. The game does have it's moments and raises a few chuckles at occasions but the overall treatment is shoddy and doesn't make it a title worth investing in.

Codename: Kids Next Door Cost

The game currently retails at $39.99