Over the Hedge for the Nintendo DS is one of not so many licensed games with interesting development history. Instead of being developed as yet another licensed cash grab, the development studio, Vicarious Visions, was told to "knock this one out of the park", creating unique story set after the movie's plot (similar to Home Console/PC version), and other achievements such as FMV cutscenes and a 3D display on both screens. It was so impressive, that it won an award from IGN, "Best Game No One Played" category for DS games. But does this game stand out in other ways, particularly, the gameplay, which not many licensed games excell at?

Well, I'm happy to report that the game is not too bad. Kinda good actually. It's a mix of stealth, action and puzzle. Your goal for most stages is bring a certain item to the finish spot while avoiding various traps and getting caught by pets or people. The top screen displays a third person view (that can be changed to first person but you can't play like that, only if you want to see something closer) and top-down view on the botton screen that also shows vision cones for enemies and hazards, and is just helpful in general for seeing where the objects or enemies are from bird eye view. You control 3 different characters in different combinations, RJ, Verne and Hammy. All of them have different strength, jump height and have a unique ability, such as Verne's ability to hide in his shell, so nothing can harm him, and he can be tossed by RJ. The controls are tank controls - you can move forward and backwards but can't strafe, but the game works well enough with these controls so they aren't an issue. There are various traps such as lasers and gas hazards that can damage your characters and knock them out of commision. It usually means restarting a level, but if you have two characters in the same level, one can save another by touching them or using a microphone for a ranged unstun. Sometimes there are switches that can turn them off, usually permanently, but some are on a timer, so you gotta move fast. There are items that can make your mission easier such as a calling card, catnip, stinky cheese and so on, though I almost never used them because the game wasn't super difficult, with one exception, but its still nice to have them. You can find some in levels themselves as well as buy them with food items you can aquire. Again, the game isnt very difficult, but it makes for a nice accessibility for younger players, I suppose.

While most missions you'll be getting an item to the goal, there's still a decent variety. Sometimes you'll have an easy time getting to the item, but the traps will activate when trying to bring said item back, some puzzles using cooperation. I think what carries these missions is the level design. While the objective and general layout are the same, the trap placement, pets or humans and other stuff make the levels feel fresh and engaging. There are standout levels, such as one level where RJ automatically throws stuff out of window for Verne to pick up, but he has to avoid detection, then another level you have a similar concept, but you control RJ stuck in the house to throw an item necessary for completion. There are a couple levels on a timer where you have to collect batteries or light bulbs, by just touching them, so no time wasted on picking them individually and bringing them to the goal spot. Overall, I found the game pretty engaging and decently enjoyable.

Graphically, yeah. As I mentioned before, the game uses 3D for both screens, and it looks rather impressive, considering that normally DS can only have one screen displaying 3D, some coding trickery is required to achieve such effect. I can recommend Modern Vintage Gamer's video on DS Graphics if you're interested in this subject. The game looks pretty good and the framerate is steady. The music is decent, only issue is that it sounds relatively low quality for DS. Also, some tracks don't loop properly.

Of course, Over the Hedge is not without issues. There's some jank involving jumping, and occasionally I couldn't jump over traps and get stunned by them. There are a few instances where pets or humans chasing me clipping through objects trying to catch up. One dog legit phased through a wall. And in one level I got hit by a human through a wall which was annoying. There are a few instances of weird hit box collision. One time I simply turned in place and got hit by smoke, and one time I threw an item and a trap on the other side of the wall somehow activated and hit me. I also phased through walls a couple times. The very last mission where you lure Gladys through cameras was one of the most frustrating things I've experienced in a while. That human that hit me through a wall was Gladys, which annoyed me. Taxidermist Henry consistently blocked the way out, which is one instance where I had to use an item to get by. It was such a difficulty spike. Another small issue is that I probably would've liked more missions, this game is pretty short.

With that said, I like this game well enough. The gameplay is solid with some variety and good level design, unique story and characters and impressive graphics. Perhaps it's not "Best Game No One Played", but it's still a good game in its own right.

(Nintendo DS)

Had this as a kid as well as the PS2 game (which played entierly different and was a separate game).

Interesting part of this is the original plot and the cutscenes. I remember the gameplay seeming interesting, like an adventure game, but the controls and camera confused me as a kid and I dropped it quickly.

Would not be opposed to adding this to my collection now I'm an adult.