A majority of my childhood can be summed up as “repetitive.” I watched the same movies, heard the same songs, and played the same games. So I know Taz: Wanted pretty well. I can’t even tell you how I came across this game because I’ve known it for as long as I can remember.
The general consensus with gamers is that licensed video games (games based on a show, movie, etc.) are just made to get your money. I also believe in that, but there are the Spongebob games, Spy vs. Spy, and this game, which aren’t. And while some Spongebob games are appreciated for their quality, Spy vs. Spy and Taz: Wanted seem to be very unappreciated.
This game is about the Tasmanian Devil from the famous Looney Tunes show. Taz and his girlfriend, She-Devil, are captured by Yosemite Sam and his workers. Taz escapes, but now She-Devil is locked away where Taz must find her. But now that he’s on the loose Sam and his workers will stop at nothing to capture their main attraction. Wanted posters are set up where everyone can see them and Taz must take down seven of them in every level.
The plot is pretty simple – save your girlfriend and take down the posters. But as many know, you don’t need a complex plot for a video game. Plots are for books, movies and shows. Gameplay and interaction is for video games.
You can see how unique the game looks. The art direction looks just like the show, beautifully converted to 3D gameplay. It looks as much as a cartoon background as it can. The sun isn’t a realistic sun. It’s a yellow dot with sun rays around it. Everything’s bright and colorful.
Having Taz spin around to go fast and attack in his mini-tornado is pretty cool, not unlike Sonic the Hedgehog. It’s not even too fast for you to control. Controlling him without the tornado can be a little awkward though, as if he wasn’t really designed to walk around. There are some fun costumes that Taz can change into via a phone booth. This is all while avoiding Sam’s workmen.
The actual levels are places we’ve seen before in video games: a zoo, arctic, beach, basic suburban places. The real creativity the game gives us is the posters and how you take them out. Some just take a simple spin attack. One requires you to get shot out of a cannon to destroy a pirate ship wanted poster! That’s so cool! What kind of team is working for Sam?
The boss levels are okay and the ending is a bit unexpected. The mini-games are fun, but nothing to go into detail about.
If you’re a fan of Taz or the Looney Tunes, check it out. If you’re a hardcore gamer who wants a fun GameCube game, consider giving this game a try. You just might find a tornado of fun.
