Platform: PS2, Xbox, GameCube, PC, GBA, Nintendo DS
Genre: Action Adventure
Developer: Toys for Bob (PS2, Xbox and GameCube); Beenox (PC); Vicarious Visions (GBA and Nintendo DS)
Publisher: Activision, Inc.
ETA: May 2005 

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Madagascar

Another blockbuster animated kid’s movie this summer means there’s another movie tie-in game headed to the game shelves. This summer’s huge Dreamworks animated release will be Madagascar, and there are game versions planned for the PS2, Xbox, GameCube, PC, GBA, and the new kid on the console block, the Nintendo DS.

Created from the creative people behind Shrek and Shark Tale, Madagascar the movie follows the adventures of a bunch of zoo animals, and the game will be a third-person action-adventure title. Madagascar the game actually looks very good, but it will need to break away from the standard generic third-person action game fare to make a splash on the gaming scene.

Here’s the official game info from Activision’s PR department:

Based on the highly anticipated animated feature film from DreamWorks, Madagascar is the only game that lets players enter the world of four hilarious Central Park Zoo animals — a personality-packed crew made up of a lion, zebra, giraffe and hippo. Players must master each animal's natural skills while adventuring through the exciting city of New York and the dangerous island of Madagascar, interacting with other animals and tackling obstacles and enemies in scenarios from the movie and beyond.

Features:
THE ONLY GAME THAT LETS PLAYERS RELIVE THE FILM AND BEYOND: Fighting for survival has never been this much fun. Players control one of four main characters from the movie – Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Gloria the hippo and Melman the giraffe as they overcome obstacles, interact with film and game-exclusive characters, and face off against enemies.

GET YOUR GROOVE ON AS YOU GO: Players develop new skills as they take the role of each zoo animal, helping Alex maximize the power of his claws, roar and pounce; pumping up Marty’s jump, back kick and stealth crawl; learning Gloria’s butt smash and running barrel move; and perfecting Melman’s helicopter spin and ammo-throwing neck fling, which he uses to launch coconuts and lemurs.

ROCK THE CITY AND RULE THE JUNGLE: Players test their animal abilities as they explore a variety of diverse environments in mini-games and 11 action-packed

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chapters, including “Marty’s Escape” from the Central Park Zoo, “Penguin Mutiny” on board a giant cargo ship, and “Lemur Rave” with the exotic animals in the jungles of Madagascar.

THE FUN IS NEVER DONE: Players can improve their performance as they replay chapters and unlock character-specific bonuses and cheats.

Gamers are always wary of the movie tie-in game, no matter how great the movie may be, so Madagascar will have to overcome that perception to succeed. Every game deserves a fair opportunity to merit gamers buying interest, but based on all of the horrible movie-licensed games throughout the years, there’s a better chance that Madagascar could join those ranks than not. It will also be aimed at a much younger audience that will go and see the movie, so expect a game along the lines of last year’s Shark Tale and instead of the “older gamer” game that EA brought to the console market based on the Lord of the Rings movies.

- Lee Cieniawa
lcieniawa@armchairempire.com

(March 25, 2005)