George of the Jungle (Wii)

Based on an animated television series, the George of the Jungle franchise has undergone a number of revisions and reincarnations since it first appeared on the scene way back in the 1960s.

The classic cartoon series was adapted for a live-action film starring The Mummy actor Brendan Fraser in 1997. More recently, a new Flash-based animated series was developed through Teletoon Canada. Currently airing on the Cartoon Network in the US, the show is set to be broadcast on Nicktoons in the UK.

It is this most recent adaptation upon which the game is based. Recommended for younger players, the game is filled with bright colours and a three-dimensional environment - though the game play itself is strictly two-dimensional.

The characters are familiar and chatty and kids who love the cartoon series and its chant-like "George, George, George of the Jungle" theme tune will not be disappointed, as the song features prominently at many points.

However, although the game play is reminiscent of retro favourites such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Donkey Kong and Super Mario, the 2D platformer may be better suited to a handheld console, such as the Nintendo DS, rather than the Wii.

While the brilliant Super Mario Galaxy and other games of its type make use of three-dimensional backgrounds and the motion controls of the Wii remote, George can only walk on a set path from left to right - which may be frustrating to players who are well-versed in a variety of Wii games.

Indeed, you always get the nagging feeling the game wasn't really developed with the Wii in mind. The capabilities of the remote are used sparingly and there appear to be a few glitches with the motion control.

This could lead to frustration for young players who could suddenly find themselves rolling in the wrong direction or performing a different kind of jump than they intended.

Despite these minor issues, George of the Jungle would be a game young cartoon fans might enjoy - were it not for the absence of a continue option once all of George's lives are used up.

This is particularly annoying near the end of a level, as George is bumped back to the beginning and there is no way to skip through the tutorials when they begin all over again.

According to the product description, the George of the Jungle cartoon series is aimed at boys between the ages of six and 11 - though the real-life audience demographic of the game is likely much narrower.

Younger children will appreciate the sounds, characters and colours - all of which are familiar to fans of the new animated series and the classic cartoon - but may find it difficult to progress through the game on a limited number of lives.

Older children will quickly find the repetition and forced tutorials tiresome, with die-hard Wii fans seeking more interactivity with their gaming experience.

3/10

Kaitlyn Critchley