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GC

North America

Rocket Power: Beach Bandits

by Zosha Arushan - October 25, 2002, 5:28 pm EDT

4.5

Tony Hawk eat your heart out. Or maybe not.

If there’s one thing that is universal it is that licensed games suck. Occasionally you’ll get the odd treasure but those are sadly few and far between. Let me tell you now, this game isn’t one of them.

The first thing that you’ll discover if you play this game is that there is loading. Constant loading. For the game to boot up takes a good eight or nine seconds and going between areas will have you staring at the “NOW LOADING” screen for at least five. It’s bad people. When you need to “LOAD” to get to the title screen, you know there is something wrong.

The in-game characters closely resemble their cartoon counterparts. Unfortunately, the animation is not exactly perfect. For instance, characters will “walk” in the air if they fall from a ledge for a good second or so before jerkily going into the “fall” routine.

The framerate is bad. Just turning the camera will bring the game nearly to a slideshow. Even in an enclosed tunnel the framerate stutters badly. It makes the game nearly unplayable in some areas. The level where one of the characters needs to collect masks on rollerblades is a prime example of this problem. As you’re skating, the framerate and camera do their best to work against you. The backgrounds are large, vast and entirely empty save for one or two of the town’s inhabitants. There’s pop-up and draw-in but it isn’t as big an issue as the framerate. Textures are bland, but this is forgivable since they are trying to emulate the cartoon’s world.

Sound is another matter. The voice acting sounds just like the show, along with being well lip-synched. Even the musical samples are really not all that bad. However, the music loops quickly and can even slow the framerate even further if you thought it was possible. There is also very little variety in tunes, as there is only one theme per area. Sound effects are alright, but are repeated often.

But really what do graphics and sound mean when there is gameplay to talk about, right? Sadly the game doesn’t even have that. Gameplay objectives are boring, especially in Story Mode. You essentially walk (or rollerblade/skateboard) somewhere, watch a cutscene and then repeat until there is a minigame or challenge. Walking induces framerate seizures and moving even faster via a vehicle just makes things worse.

The challenges are anything but, and the skateboarding/rollerblading/whatever else is dull. You can do tricks in the air by pressing R and moving the control stick in certain directions. Control is floaty and feels imprecise. If you’re feeling really clever you can even cancel a trick into another one for bonus points! That’s about it though.

Simply put the game isn’t fun. Unless you are a die-hard fan of the television show, don’t even bother renting.

Score

Graphics Sound Control Gameplay Lastability Final
4.5 5 4 3 5 4.5
Graphics
4.5

The character models might resemble the original cartoon closely, but the horrible framerate along with bland environments make not for a pretty game.

Sound
5

The music and voice-acting are actually well done. The problem I have is that the music consists of annoyingly short loops and there is very little variety.

Control
4

Floaty. Imprecise. It just doesn’t feel right in any situation.

Gameplay
3

It’s boring. The only thing that is remotely entertaining is hitting people in the head with hockey pucks.

Lastability
5

I guess if you have a friend who likes simplistic skateboarding games you might have some fun. Otherwise it’s just not worth it.

Final
4.5

I played this game so you don’t have to. Don’t let my sacrifice be in vain.

Summary

Pros
  • Game models look just like the characters
  • Voice acting sounds authentic
Cons
  • Boring game objectives
  • Horrible framerate
  • Just isn’t fun
  • Music loops annoyingly
Review Page 2: Conclusion

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Genre Sports
Developer THQ
Players1

Worldwide Releases

na: Rocket Power: Beach Bandits
Release Sep 24, 2002
PublisherTHQ
RatingEveryone
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