Buzz! Junior: Jungle Party

We weren't expecting that much but the latest Buzz pleasantly surprised us.

	Version PS2	Developer London Studio	Publisher SCEE	Genre Kids

By Daniella Lucas

I don't know what's more embarrassing, the fact that I was asked to review a children's game or the fact that I actually enjoyed it! Buzz! Junior: Jungle Party is the first game to be released for the Buzz Junior range, using the trademark simple, yet effective Buzz controllers. Unlike the previous Buzz games which revolve around a more quiz-like experience, the Buzz Junior games focus on minigames that need fast reflexes.

I wasn't really expecting much from this game, but I was pleasantly surprised by the charming graphics and cheeky sense of humour. The game itself is just a series of minigames where you play as one of four different coloured monkeys, which sounds similar to many EyeToy titles but feels very different. Although at some points it can be a little disturbing, one of the games is "spot the difference" between hippos changing their outfits. When they reveal themselves you have to resist the urge to cover your eyes at the cowboy hat and coconut bra combo as they give a little booty shake.

The Buzz series is well known for being a great multiplayer experience, and Buzz! Junior: Jungle Party doesn't disappoint. It's amazing how competitive you can get when trying to knock your opponents off Lilly pads by hitting them with coconuts. Having four people crammed onto the sofa can lead to some foul play by family and friends to try and gain the upper hand. I suggest that you should be wary of dirty tactics, such as pushing your hands so you hit the wrong button and getting your eyes covered so you have no clue what's going on.

Single played is equally as amusing as each mini game has a certain charm to it that's impossible to resist, and you can't help but feel rather smug when you get the maximum number of points. You can also unlock new outfits for your monkeys by playing the single player mode which provides added incentive.

However the party is over too soon. The games don't last that long and you quickly find that you've finished the competition. There are several different modes ranging from quick play to Marathon mode, which provide varying time spans of game play, but even the Marathon Mode falls a little short and it's not quite the same playing through it a second time in a row.

I doubt the serious type will enjoy this game very much; it is definitely one for the young and the young at heart.

Graphics Sound Gameplay Depth Presentation OVERALL 7.0 8.0 7.0 5.5 8.0 7.5

THE VERDICT: It'll keep you entertained for a while, but it can't quite keep up in the long run. For parents look no further to keep the kids on their best indoors behaviour, and for all gamers young at heart, we suggest making the excuse that it's for your children or younger siblings...