Playstation 2 Console Review: Madagascar

Playstation 2 Console Review: Madagascar
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Game Play (5 out of 5)

When it comes to Playstation 2 console games, I rarely rate the game play itself as a 5. But, for Madagascar, I can’t help but rate it a 5. The game play overall is super fun, with different levels and areas to clear as well as different characters to play. You have to go through different areas of the movie to make it to the end of the game - such as escaping the zoo and the city, helping the penguins escape the ship that they are on, moving through the jungles helping to save the lemurs from the wild wolves, rushing through the windy tunnels of the trees, and even gathering up exotic foods for the lemur king. Each level offers you something unique and fun - and most of the different levels offer you the chance to switch back and forth between the four main characters in the movie: Alex, Marty, Gloria, and Melman. There are also fun mini-games in the middle of the levels that you have to complete which make the game even more fun. While I did originally buy this Playstation 2 console game for my kids, I ended up playing it just as much. You won’t be sorry that you picked this one up either.

Graphics (5 out of 5)

Since DreamWorks and Activision worked together on this game, the graphics are everything that you would expect from these two companies. And, when it comes to this Playstation 2 console game, the graphics are so close to the movie itself that you will feel like you are in the middle of the movie itself. The toons that you get to play are exactly the ones in the movie itself: Alex, Gloria, Melman, and Marty - as well as the wonderful penguins and lemurs. You will also come across some of the other villains from the movie in the Playstation 2 version, such as the policemen and the men on the boats, the “foosa” (or wild dogs in the jungle that eat the lemurs) and even their mean leader. So, you will easily get engrossed in the graphics as they are so close to the actual movie that you might have a hard time figuring out which one you’re really playing! I give the graphics on this Playstation 2 console game a solid 5 out of 5 and have to admit that I was even extremely impressed with everything overall.

Images from Madagascar

Sounds and Music (5 out of 5)

One more area that this Playstation 2 game shines is in the sounds and music area. They used the voices from the movie itself to make the game more realistic, which is awesome as the stars that played the main characters in Madagascar made all the difference in the funny parts of the movie and help make that same difference in the game as well. While the music is sometimes lacking, the toons all have their special sayings and spout out some funnies along the way. To me, turning the music down and listening to the wise cracks in this Playstation 2 console game make the game itself better! My kids loved the sayings as well, and none are dirty or vulgar either, so you don’t have to worry about what your kids might be hearing while they are playing the game. Even though the music is lacking a bit, I still give the sounds and music a 5 out of 5 because they didn’t try to pass off other actors as the main movie actors - like other Playstation 2 games do.

Overall (5 out of 5)

If you come across this Playstation 2 console game while you are out shopping, I would recommend picking it up - even if you don’t have kids. While this is supposed to be a kid’s game, as it’s rated E and 10+, anyone will have fun playing it and trying to beat the system. The levels are challenging enough to create a great time for adults, yet easy enough for kids to figure out as well. And, with the sounds and graphics from the Madagascar movie itself, it’s sure to be a hit with everyone in your house as well. You can also pick it up on several different sites online if you can’t find it out in stores still, Shopper.com has it listed for only $19.99, but you can find it from $5-20 all over the net.

Want to find out the few Playstation 2 cheats that are available for Madagascar? Well, I’ve got them for you here on Bright Hub as well along with some great hints on completing the game to help you through some of the harder areas.