Marsupilami was not the most well-known comic book character of 1952, but dear god was the T.V. show of the ’90s, a total banger. Bringing it into the 2021’s, ‘Marsupilami: Hoobadventure’ gives us a reimagining of these weird and wonderful, long-tailed creatures that bring nothing but trouble wherever they go.

Marsupilami, the mischievous creature he is, has tampered with something not to be tampered with; an ancient sarcophagus. Releasing a curse upon the land with implications for all the other cute and cuddly creatures across the islands they all call home. Now all critters are under the curse of the skeleton Marsupilami has unwittingly released and his friends roam zombie-like and under the control of this menace.

You are thrown into the feet of one of three Marsupilamis; Punch, Twister, and Hope which you can switch between in the HUD island. They don’t really handle differently, which is a missed opportunity, as they don’t bring any spice to the play other than appearance. This platformer has 3 worlds and easily over 20 levels to jump, launch, tail punch, rail grind, and grapple from point to point. Very easy to master and very satisfying controls.

Littered throughout the levels are obstacles or hazards to avoid and to launch you further through the level. These can range from a variety of different zombied animals that throw stuff at you or you can use it as a bounce pad or spikes in the wall, water, or even nuts and bolts to swing across with that amazing tail. The levels are not that complicated, each progressing in hardship and skill.

As you traverse each level you collect peach and golden berry-like fruit. One hundred of these will create a life for you to bank up for boss levels. Crates and jars also hold these fruit and also fish that replenish one of the three health bubbles you have sustaining your current life. You can take three hits before the game resets you at a checkpoint and depletes one of your banked lives.

There is some backtracking required as some levels require a certain amount of parrot feathers to unlock, thus blocking the way if you don’t have enough. These are bonus collectibles found in difficult or secret locations to collect in each level. Scattered around the levels are Dojo levels too that forces you to test your skills to earn tickets to open other bonus levels too. It is all very typical platformer stuff, I just wish some of the collecting and bonus levels were more innovative.

As for the clique Time Trial mode opened for each level, I had no real incentive to go back and time myself playing each level. The level design while cute and endearing was not particularly interesting enough for me to want to time my run through.

The boss levels aren’t overly hard to complete either, with the patterns easily memorised after one or two attempts. At least one of them being challenging would have added that much-needed differentiation.

Graphically, the game is sound with some simplistic but bold animations. Using a 3D style each level is brimming with colour but utilises the typical trees and ledges for platforming to and from. The music is very classic, upbeat feel-good tunes that drive your character through each level.

Overall, Marsupilami: Hoobadventure, while wrapped up as a platformer for children, is actually an enjoyable time for all. While lacking in a bit of creativity and innovation it is definitely a fun time for all.

Written by: Stacey