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PS2 | Fighting | Zatch Bell!: Mamodo Fury

Boxart for Zatch Bell!: Mamodo Fury
  • GRAPHICS: 3.00
  • SOUND: 2.50
  • CONTROL: 2.50
  • FUN FACTOR 2.00
  • AVG USER SCORE n/a
  • AVG CRITIC SCORE 2.0

Review: Zatch Bell: Mamodo Fury

Review by Tae Kim | 09/20/2006 | 15:23:50 PM PST

The problem with games that are based on pre-existing licenses, especially if those licenses are obscure Japanese anime shows, are that they hold very little appeal for anyone who isn't a fan of the source material. That holds especially true when the game is as bad as Zatch Bell: Mamodo Fury, a frustrating fighting game that will try the patience of even the biggest Zatch Bell fanatic.

Mam-what?

In case you were in the dark, Mamodos are demon-like creatures that come to Earth every one thousand years where they fight each other for ultimate Mamodo supremacy. The catch is that each Mamodo needs to hitch their wagon to a human who can take control of their magic power books and unleash their powers.

Those of you who already knew that (and could expand on it further) are the only ones who should come within five feet of this game and even then, you should approach with caution. Mamodo Fury suffers from a variety of problems, among them a frustrating camera, an overly complicated combat system, cheap enemies who'll have you tearing your hair out, and repetitive gameplay that just doesn't get any better. The game also screams "value title" with its mediocre graphics and sound production.

On the plus side, the game does a pretty good job of capturing the spirit of the Pokemon-esque anime series. And there is something offbeat and quirky about a high school kid who fights evil with a strange puppet-like creature wearing a dress. But a good license doesn't always add up to a good game and Mamodo Fury just doesn't have enough going for it to justify a purchase. Unless you eat your morning cereal out of a Zatch Bell bowl, wear Zatch Bell clothes and sleep atop Zatch Bell sheets, you should give this one a pass.