Pet Alien

Based on the cartoon of the same name, Pet Alien is pretty much your standard "find the doodads, head for the portal" puzzler with a spray-paint layer of licensing.

Players use the abilities of Gumpers, Scruffy, Dinko, Flip, and Swanky along with color-coded keycards (original, aren't we?) to progress through an alien spaceship because they've been abducted by robots and need to figure out an escape plan. This bare hint of a plot is played out between zones in quick cut-scenes, but does little to make the game relevant.

Teamwork Is Always the Answer

Levels usually require the expertise of at least two of your aliens. So, if you have Gumpers bust the wall with his gorilla fists, it will clear a path for Dinko to dash down a treadmill going the opposite way. Only occasionally will you have to think and decide who would be best for a certain situation--transformation pads usually sport the smiling face of whichever alien it will turn you into. Even when you do need to pick, though, keeping track of each character's talents presents no challenge whatsoever.

Environmental hazards can be a bit more trying, but not by much. Routing patrolling enemy robots into mines to open a path is nothing new and the color-coded barriers are mostly a joke. That is, unless you happen to be standing on one of the rising blocks when you hit the switch, in which case you are treated to an instant death more puzzling than the majority of the game.

Sense of Accomplishment. Right.

Clearing levels is hardly a feat, but will earn you some gallery shots. If the license and simplicity haven't already given it away, the mini-games you earn for defeating bosses make it clear: "Burp 'n Fart," anyone? That's the glaring example, but these games are tacked on and won't hold your attention for long.

Pet Alien looks and sounds fine. The characters seem to have made the transition from the slick Pixar-esque animation to the DS screen without much problem. The controls are pretty straightforward, but sometimes it seems like getting a transformation pad or portal to acknowledge your character is harder than it should be. The touch screen is used mostly for the mini-games and otherwise just shows the number of crystals you have and which color of keycard you've collected.

A young fan of the TV show could theoretically search out a modicum of fun from this game, and perhaps they would find the puzzles more brow-furrow worthy. Maybe. I have a feeling, though, that this one will make its way swiftly to the bargain bins. Little kids would be better served if they were introduced to classics like Super Mario Bros. or hey, even New Super Mario Bros., and not saddled with inferior licensed games. Children deserve better!

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