Have you gone Over the Hedge?
Graphics: Bright and cartoony, OtH gives kids and adults something to "aw" (I'm not one of them ). The characters look cute and cuddly, just like their movie counterparts. The stages are WELL detailed and it's just amazing that Activision and the other guys (I don't know who they are ; ) ) pulled THIS graphical marvel off!
Sounds: The sounds are okay, but, the real goods are in the voices. RJ, Hammy, Verne, Stella, Heather (possum, Ozzie's daughter), Ozzie (possum, Heather's father (Duh! ; ) )), Penny (porcupine), Lou (Porcupine), the porcupine kids (the three kids were born at the same time (so said the Cartoon Network OtH site)), Vincent (black bear), that blue jay guy (not in the movie), and the humans (Verminator and Gladys and some nameless people (who cares about them? ; ) )) all speak! This gives the game MORE life! When you hit an enemy, the character might say (if you're RJ): "You have been raccooned!" Or, when jumping, Hammy might laugh (for what reason? He's a complete IDIOT (but loveable nonetheless ; ) )!!!))I like these sayings. But, they can be a bit annoying at times. Also, when picking up a hat (later explained), you'll hear a music "sting" (small clip) or sound effect tied in to what the hat is (like a lull-a-bye music box for the baby bonett, or a fire truck siren for the fireman hat).
Gameplay: Basically Double Dragon with a "hack-and-slash"-style combat mode, this is the weak point of the game. If you're not in to hack and slash, don't buy this game. Also, you can pick up hats (this gives you extra health). They can be ridiculous or cool or whatever you want to call them! There's only one that freaked me out when I picked it up (that was the baby bonett (poor RJ had to get the embarassment!! : ( )). The BEST part is that you have infinite lives, however, get killed and you have to start the stage ALL OVER!! The missions are good and challenging, but some of the missions are a BIT TOO much. Meaning they're rediculously HARD (but these are in the later stages, as usual)!!
Replay Value: This game doesn't have TOO much replay value, but you can play any mission over and over (until you unlock everything or just beat the game and see the "bad" ending or both the "bad and "good" endings).
Summary: Well, I love this game near and dear, but one man's treasure is another man's trash (I know it's the other way around). This game is rediculously cute and cartoony! The characters are well animated and everything, lush and detailed, this is a game for the ages.