GAME REVIEW | "Rugrats" Throwback A Short Frustrating Adventure
How interesting it is that in its prime, Nickelodeon’s Rugrats never received a game on the Nintendo, Super Nintendo, or even SEGA Genesis. Although it did have a game both on the PlayStation and Nintendo 64, Tommy Pickles and the game were already being overshadowed by the next generation of Nicktoons. So it’s quite the sight to see a Rugrats title that would’ve fit right at home in the 8-bit world. Sadly, there are more dirty diapers than tasty cookies to be found in Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland.
Played either solo or co-op, Adventures in Gameland has Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, and Lil seeking coins to get the new Reptar game. Spread out through six levels, the babies must jump, toss, and slam their way through cold terrains, underground deserts, and even in the clouds of their dreams in order to find these coins. Although there are no power-ups or unlockables to be found, earning cookies can lengthen your life span, something that comes in handy when the game gets incredibly tough.
One of the neat things about this game is the ability to switch between modern and retro styles. If you are looking to play the game in a way that looks like the classic Rugrats cartoon, then the HD mode is right for you. However, it’s amazing to see how well the game works and plays when you switch it to its 8-bit glory, with both its visuals and sounds displaying a truly 90s aesthetic. (PC versions of the game contain a hidden ROM that works with stuff like EverDrive, in case you really want to get the true old-school experience.)
However, despite how good it looks and sounds, Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland has a bountiful of flaws. Many times when I was playing, the game wouldn’t register when I’d jump or pick up an object. Because of this, I found my characters losing health and — in many cases — their lives more often than not. Even the occasional ground slam wasn’t working, as I saw the likes of Chucky or Lil instead have their baby bottles depleted lower and lower.
Then there are the enemies. On some occasions, the ground enemies can be easy to take on. However, the flying ones are a major pain in the neck to deal with. This is very evident in the attic level, where flying Cynthia doll heads keep on attacking and respawning, to the point where you just wanna throw down your controller and quit. Perhaps the most irksome moment arrives during the boss battles, which are so ridiculously easy that I only died once the entirety of these final fights.
Lastly, there’s the runtime of the game. I beat Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland in less than 90 minutes. Worse, there’s not really much to go back to once you’ve completed the game. Although it’s nice that there’s a co-op style that’ll let you experience it differently with a friend, it doesn’t really add anything new to the gameplay.
PROS:
- Looks like the cartoon
- Retro mode is really cool
- Nice nods to past episodes
CONS:
- Wonky controls
- Unforgivably hard enemies
- Boss battles too easy
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Visually and audibly, Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland is wonderful in both modern and retro styles. However, as a game, it plays like one of those dreaded LJN-published tie-ins the Angry Video Game Nerd gets riled up over. As much as I loved Rugrats as a kid, a King Baby Duck’s gotta do what a King Baby Duck’s gotta do, and advise gamers to steer clear of Adventures in Gameland.
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Brigette Gautreaux of Stride PR. Reviewed on the PS5.
