Stitch: Experiment 626

As soon as I picked up this game, my kids went nuts. They had already seen the new Disney movie, 'Lilo and Stitch'? and they wanted more. I had to keep reminding them that Lilo was not in this game. Stitch: Experiment 626 is billed as a prequel to the movie, before Stitch was domesticated by Lilo. Stitch was created by the eccentric (evil) scientist Jumba and set out to collect DNA, which Jumba needs for his genetic experiments; along the way, Stitch destroys just about everything in his path.

There isn't a whole lot of plot here but that won't detract from the enjoyment of the game, especially if you like other platform-type games like Crash Bandicoot or Sonic the Hedgehog. I actually enjoyed this game more than the Crash Bandicoot games. Crash game play was pretty simple; Stitch requires a bit more strategy and thought. The first couple of levels, you are restricted to just shooting, jumping, climbing, picking up and throwing objects, but eventually you will work your way to other items like a jetpack and a very cool laser grapple, which allows you to swing over acid pools, and other hazards.

Graphically the game is solid but not remarkable and the documentation included was very complete. There is a lot to like about this game. What made it really enjoyable was that the game auto saves for you at the end of each level, you never run out of lives, so you can continue attempting to complete a level an unlimited amount of times and if you miss secrets or DNA in a level, you can always replay that level to find them. One of the great incentives (with my kids watching me play) was the secret tapes that you can find along the way. If you collect enough of them, you can trade them and open up mini movies from Lilo & Stich, as well as Lilo & Stitch movie trailers and in-game sequences.

If you can't wait to see the new Disney movie or if you've already seen it and still can't get enough of Stitch, you will love this game. It's a little too complex for younger children to play past the first couple of levels but older kids should have no problems. My younger kids just loved watching me play and yelling at me that I missed a DNA strand or reminding me that I had collected enough secret tapes to unlock a new video snippet. I can't go so far as to recommend this as a buy to everyone but if you like the Stitch character and other platform games, you will not be disappointed'everyone else should the rent the game first.