Gaming Target - Game Boy: Monsters, Inc.

Written by Kyle Williams on February 22, 2002

Review: This game is based off of a Disney movie? Oh boy...

There are very few movies that translate into video games well. Most of those movies are action flicks whose video game counterparts just barely follow the storyline of the film. The perfect example of this is the Star Wars franchise of games from LucasArts. Unfortunately, there are still a lot of video game publishers and developers that just keep on trying. Monsters, Inc. is one of the latest films to fall prey to the licensing demons.

For this Game Boy Advance adventure, Boo has accidentally returned to Monstropolis. Randall has taken notice of this and has once again shredded the doorway that can take her home. This title has you assuming the role of Sully and it is up to you to reassemble Boo's shredded doorway so that you can get her back home. Of course, the Child Detection Agency is refusing to cooperate and has sent their agents out to try and find Boo. You must find a way past them if you want to get her home. Fortunately, you have both your natural scaring ability and a laugh cannon to defend yourself with.

On the surface, Monsters, Inc. is an extremely attractive game. The graphics are some of the best that I have seen on the GBA so far. The colors are vibrant and make the most of the GBA's dark little screen and the animations are simply incredible. Also, the still frames from the movie that are used to tell the story are impeccable, with their only drawback being that they aren't in full motion. The way this game looks sets an appropriate mood, comparable to the film itself, and makes it look as if this title might rise above the flotsam of forgettable Disney-based titles. Unfortunately, the rest of the game doesn't live up to the same standards.

The biggest drawback with Monsters, Inc. is that the gameplay gets repetitive really quick. Every level consists of jumping over obstacles, avoiding and scaring CDA agents, and gathering shredded pieces of little Boo's door. Each level does take you to a new locale that is accompanied by a new palette of background graphics but that doesn't mean that they play any differently. One frustration with the game's progress is that once you rebuild Boo's door and defeat Randall you must go through it all again with another mischievous monster. The only variety in gameplay comes in the form of a sledding game that takes you through the snowy Himalayas. However, it is too little to give this game any kind of staying power.