really overhated game and I don't understand the hate now when all the technical flaws have been fixed. This a triumphant entry in the most storied franchise in gaming. Great characters, dungeons, puzzles, art style, music, and gameplay in general. If you had a sour taste in your mouth when you played this game back on the Wii, I would strongly suggest giving this version a try as I think you'd be pleasantly surprised. I really love this game, and enjoy aspects of it more than Breath of the Wild for comparison. It's fantastic and can't wait for the ten minute TOTK gameplay showcase tomorrow! 4.5 ★

Finally went back to beat this after starting it multiple times at friends' houses growing up without finishing. For what it's worth, my adult appreciation of this is far more holistic than than the one from my childhood - this isn't just a fun Scooby-Doo game but a genuine love letter to a property from a talented team of creatives that clearly loved the source material. As a lifelong fan of the Scoobster and his multiple spin-offs (there's a few "Pup Named Scooby-Doo" references I definitely didn't remember seeing before), it warms my heart to see something I was once passionate about be given such a carefully crafted experience like this.

That being said, I have a few bones to pick with the game itself, namely in the unnecessary difficulty spikes and wonky camera controls. Levels like "Aghast at the Mast" are so frustratingly designed and padded out that I'm almost glad child me never had to experience them, since they nearly killed my playthrough this time. And the camera exacerbates the awful levels by not allowing for player control, instead relying on the direction of approach from the player to determine what visual information needs to be on the screen, often omitting important platforming details just because you walked in the wrong direction. Absolutely infuriating stuff.

Still, I found a lot to love here despite the glaring issues. Would love to see this get the Bikini Bottom: Rehydrated treatment - a new coat of polish might be just what this needs to be a real cult classic.

This one was a hidden gem for the Gamecube and really understood the value of gameplay variety. In Madagascar it always feels like you're doing something new and unique, especially in the earlier levels. From Marty's stealth sections to escape the zoo to the penguins' FPS boss battle, it's never a game that overstays its welcome even if it does lose some of that steam when it starts to settle down in the Madagascar setting.

Alex, Marty, Melman, and Gloria all play somewhat differently and you face different fun challenges with each of them. There are funny cosmetics to unlock with coins you collect in the levels, and playable arcade games to find tucked away.

Honestly my favorite part of Madagascar might have been the minigames. Mini-golf has a massive learning curve and not knowing what you're doing can prove infuriating. I had a great time mastering it along with intense rounds of shuffleboard against my cousin.

Madagascar is one of the better movie games out there and even though I have nostalgia for it, it's definitely worth checking out nonetheless.