The Next Level: 'Kung Fu Panda' can pack quite a punch

By Matthew Price

Published: June 20, 2008

A panda becoming a kung-fu master is unlikely. A game based on a kids' movie being fun and engaging is also unlikely. But "Kung Fu Panda: The Game” from Activision, manages both.

Movie-based games often run into problems trying to coordinate their release with their big-screen brethren, but "Kung-Fu Panda” succeeds in making a game that will be enjoyed by the film's target audience.

Gamers take the role of Po the Panda in 13 levels of "Kung-Fu Panda: The Game.” Gamers will also occasionally play as his teacher, Shifu, and the other Kung Fu masters.

Most of the levels are adapted from scenes in the film. Po's fighting style is explored through button combos, which can be upgraded by finding coins on each level.

The gameplay is easy to learn, but requires some practice to master, at least for the younger set. The boss battles at the end of each level are similar to the recent "Ultimate Alliance” game from Marvel and Activision.

On the Xbox 360, the game looks graphically solid, and while there are some camera issues, "Kung-Fu Panda” is a nice adaptation of the look of the film. The soundalikes for the movie's stars do a competent job of recreating the "Kung Fu Panda” sound.

It's relatively short, but the puzzle, platforming and other elements mixed in with the fighting should make "Kung Fu Panda” fun for young gamers.

The game is rated E10+, for gamers over 10 years old. The game is available for Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS.

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