Kung Fu Panda, the video game, will be enjoyable for those who like other movie-based video games. Relive the plot of the movie with a little bit more interaction. While the movie is enjoyable by adults and kids, the game’s target audience definitely seems to be children who enjoy simple platformers. Because Kung Fu Panda is similar to any other game based on a movie, I feel that explanations regarding the simple gameplay, blasé animation, and plot line is unnecessary.
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What makes this game different? I reviewed the Wii version of Kung Fu Panda, and I am happy to report that the Wiimote and nunchuk controls are intuitive and well done. The game explains how to execute different moves during the first levels of the game, but the moves are easy to remember and you don’t have to stand up to do them (yay!).
Although Po the Panda is not voiced by Jack Black in the video game, the actor that does his voice is pretty darn close. Admittedly, the male-teenager-valley-girl voice and story line get tiresome after awhile, but again, this is for the kids and valley girls out there.
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The fun factor is a bit higher in this game than with other move spin-offs I’ve played. The platforming is closer to Super Mario 64, meaning that there are objectives to finish and a decent amount of exploration to be had. The baddies get repetitive though; in the first level alone there are only two different kinds of wild boars to battle.
Suh-weet? Not so much. There is nothing notable to say about the graphics or soundtrack, other than they are just okay. There is a multiplayer aspect to the game for up to four players.
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As an adult, are you going to throw a Kung Fu Panda party? Don’t think so. As a kid, you’d be better off playing Mario Kart. Compared to other movie-inspired games, Kung Fu Panda does it all better. Does that make it a great game to someone over the age of eighteen? Most likely, not.
