Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland Reviews
Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland is a well-made platformer that captures the heart of what made the TV show tick, and that's perhaps its greatest achievement. The character swapping system isn't unique, but it works well owing to some clever and occasionally quite challenging stage design; and, while it doesn't reinvent the wheel, there's a fun action game here with a good level of exploration. Whether you're drawn to the HD or retro aesthetic variants is down to which of your nostalgic sentiments is strongest. Either way, the 8-bit representation is so accurate to hardware of that era we can't believe it wasn't actually released three decades ago.
Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland is a baby sized adventure with an all grown up price tag, with poorly designed stages and frustrating enemies.
However, as far as NES games go, Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland is as solid as they come. I said this earlier, but if this came out during the NES’ lifespan, it probably would be well-remembered. Maybe not as well as one of the system’s absolute classics, but at least in the same niche as Little Nemo: Dream Master. Released today, it’s another very curious case of a new licensed game getting released on an old console. That’s already very exciting for me, so the fact that it’s also a well-tuned game is just gravy.
Cumulatively, you end up with a title brimming with nostalgia and good ideas, but controls that hold the affair back.
Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland is a fun little game based on the classic Nicktoon, but unfortunately it's a little too short and too easy for the price. The ability to swap between the four main babies and each having their own strengths and weaknesses is nice, plus the graphics and audio are pretty spot on from what Klasky Csupó gave us over three decades ago. However, the high price point for a rather easy game that can be completed in under ninety minutes will likely be a bit of a turnoff for a lot of people. If you're able to wait for it to go on sale, it's definitely worth checking out.
As it stands, I can't in good faith recommend Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland. I do believe there is a good game hidden underneath the game's incredibly rough exterior, but I believe most people are better off waiting until that good game is dug out via patches. The single player experience is admittedly better than co-op, but the plethora of bugs in the co-op mode is still unacceptable. Some people may luck out and make it through the game encountering minimal issues, but if anybody's experience is similar to mine then they will instantly regret the money they spent purchasing this game.
Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland isn’t a bad game, it is very simple while also being complicated due to the lack of tutorials. Rugrats can’t decide if it wants to be for the people that grew up with the show or young gamers just starting their journey. This meant that it is not for me, but it might be for you.
Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland achieves so much in emulating the feel of a retro Gameboy-released platformer. Although licensed games like this were dime-a-dozen growing up, and were often pretty average, Adventures in Gameland's spectacular presentation shows genuine respect and care for those toddling bubs. Due to this, I found it easier to forgive the game's many unforced errors which were all driven by its "classic" design.
Enter a world of imagination with fan favourites The Rugrats.
If you are considering picking up this game it is better to wait until it goes on sale than to buy it at full price. The game can be completed in 2 to 4 hours even with the bugs. Ultimately it is your choice if you want to pick it up or not.
As mentioned in the beginning of the review, your impressions of Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland are going to depend on how you feel about a game that takes its presentation and design strictly from that 8-bit generation of gaming. The game looks and sounds absolutely gorgeous on the presentation front, and the game does a good job of applying the Super Mario Bros. 2 mechanics to its game world. You'll wish the camera issues from the HD mode were fixed and that the cheap hits from enemies and their placement weren't present in the most annoying of areas. The game is fine, but the frustration from these issues and the relatively high price for such a short experience prevent it from being an all-around great title for fans of nostalgia.
Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland delivers a nostalgic and fun experience, especially for fans of the original cartoon. The aesthetics and soundtrack refer to the times of "The Little Angels", and the idea of transforming babies' imaginations into an interactive adventure is creative. However, the game has clear limitations: its short length and lack of depth in mechanics can frustrate more experienced players. The 8-bit mode is a charming addition, but the multiplayer limitations and inconsistent difficulty affect the replay value. Still, for those looking for nostalgia, it's a good choice.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
In the end, Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland is just another platform game in a sea of better titles. It only served as a platform (no pun intended) for companies like Limited Run to ride the hype and release their very expensive collector's editions. If you're looking for a fun game to pass the time, stay away from it.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
While it may be enough for the ardent retro platforming enthusiast or for hardcore fans of the show, it’s difficult to see this is anything more than a barebones release aimed at cashing in on those hoping for a dose of nostalgia. Adventures in Gameland never stopped amazing me, regrettably most of my amazement wasn’t in a positive manner. It’s been 20 years since the last Rugrats video game, but perhaps this is proof that some things are better left in the past.
However, the gameplay sours this otherwise heartwarming and nostalgic experience. Controlling the babies is frustrating, and it's made worse by the fact that the player is forced to navigate through unforgiving stages. Unless someone is a massive Rugrats fan, Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland is a game that can be skipped. For now, it's better to either watch playthroughs online, or just revisit the classic cartoon from the very beginning.
Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland is a delightful romp through both the past and present. It’s a game that doesn’t try to be anything more than a fun, nostalgic platform and succeeds. While it may not have the depth or challenge of some platformers, it makes up for it with charm, style, and a heap of nostalgia. Whether you’re a long-time Rugrats fan or just looking for a light hearted platformer to enjoy with a friend, this game is well worth your time. Just remember to grab your screwdriver—you never know when you’ll need it. For its merits, Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland receives the Thumb Culture Gold Award.
Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland has two very big extremes. While the gameplay is quite unfair and the level design has several flaws that harm the player's experience, the artwork shows immense affection for the original material, which captivates those who watched the cartoon at the time. Still, unfortunately, it's not worth getting angry just for the nostalgic appeal.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
All in all I enjoyed my time with this flash back to NES platforming goodness. Both its art style, 8 bit filter and game play serve as a reminder of how good these types of games can be. However it was brought down by the length of Rugrats Adventures In Gameland
Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland was a mixed experience. I loved its presentation, with its amazing visuals and pretty decent soundtrack, but its level design felt a bit cheap, its platforming can be faulty at times, and, well, it’s just too damn short. By the time you’re starting to get used to its intricacies, the game is already over. I did appreciate the intention of making it a remaster of a fictional long-lost 8-bit title that had never been released before, but even games from back then featured a bit more meat and lasting appeal.
In summary, Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland is a nostalgic platformer with charming graphics and music, but it suffers from frustrating level design, lack of tutorials, and limited replay value. While it offers some enjoyable moments, the game’s shortcomings may leave players feeling more frustrated than entertained.