Platform: PlayStation 2, GameCube, Nintendo DS, GameBoy Advance

Genre: Adventure

Number of Players: 1 - 4

History has shows us many classic team up in the world of entertainment. In comics, we've seen Batman and Superman join forces, Aliens fought against Predators (and this battle would later be seen on the silver screen), or even The X-Men teaming up with the Avengers. People love to have their favorite characters together, and now the Nicktoons are next in line with their new game; Nicktoons Unite!

The game brings together the most popular faces in the world of Nicktoons; SpongeBob SquarePants, Jimmy Neutron, and The Fairly Odd Parents' own Danny Phantom and Timmy Turner. So, how exactly do you bring together four characters from drastically different worlds? It's quite simple really. Jimmy has made an invention that will open doorways into other worlds, but the plans have been stolen by Jimmy's nemesis, Professor Calamitous. The evil professor has now created the Evil Syndicate, a dreadful union of himself, Plankton, Deizel Crocker and Vlad Plasmius and they are set to take over the four worlds they hail from. Jimmy however has contacted the heroes in each world and brought them together. The union has created a formidable team that may be capable of stopping the evil that threatens each of their worlds.

Fans of the Nicktoons are going to be trilled with this game, though SpongeBob and Jimmy Neutron, two of the most popular characters, are going to be the real selling point for any youngster. Even though there are four different characters, since the title is aimed more at younger players, the controls have been made very simple, so it's easy to play no matter which character you are. The X buttons allows you to jump while circle attacks, though if you jump and then attack you will do a slam attack. Using the D-pad will allow you to change the character that you are. The shoulder buttons will allow you to regroup your team members, put a shield around yourself, and cycle though the available weapons.

Since the game is dealing with different characters, you can expect to find yourself in familiar territory, and it's not just always about defeating evil. You have things to collect as well, one of the most important being the NRG tokens. With these, you can stop at a Goddard and upgrade your abilities or save your game. New abilities are one of the most important things as the stages are going to grow increasingly difficult and challenging. Stages also contains health and power pods, and I have to admit that I like the set up, especially if you're playing in four-player mode. Instead of the pods simply powering up whomever picked it up, it will add energy into the entire team. This helps from having to deal with players that are a little greedy and want to grab everything for themselves.

While Nicktoons Unite is an action game, there is a mild amount of puzzle solving. At times you will need to communicate with other characters in stages who will need your help with something and in exchange, will do a favor for you. Your team's skills will also come in handy for activating doors and such to progress farther into each stage. Also, in single player mode, the characters actually tend to use some good teamwork instead of simply running around with no idea what to do. Stupid AI is seen far too much in games, but that's not true here, so even if the odds look like they may be against you, the computer may come through in a pinch and do rather well.

Nicktoons Unite also uses a unique save feature that has been seen in other titles. If you have a save from another Nick Game, let's say SpongBob SquarePants: Lights, Camera, Pants for example, you will be able to unlock other features for this game. It's a rather nice cross selling idea, and one that is starting to be seen a little more frequently in games. The second Xenosaga allowed you to import data as have the Dynasty Warriors games, and having more companies use this feature you really be a great idea. Here though, it's different simply because these games aren't sequels.

The graphics in the game are done very well and are a good representation of the cartoons that serve as the source material. I do wish that the stages had full screen rotation available instead of simply being locked into one view, but I suppose in this case, given the audience that the game is really for, being able to move the screen isn't really a priority. There are times that the game can get be a little confusing with so many characters running around, but as long as you know who you are, it's really not something that should cause too many problems. The level designs are done extremely well and most are balanced between minor puzzle solving and fighting, and then there are some outstanding boss battles that are going to make little gamers very pleased.

Nicktoons Unite isn't a game that I would play on a regular basis, but this is one that has to be looked at in terms of who the game is really for, and that's kids that are fans of these cartoons. For them, this is going to be pure magic. They can play as their favorite characters, they can switch at any time, and they will be paying a visit to all of the places they watched on television every afternoon. Adults aren't going to find a challenge here, but this one isn't for them at all. Nicktoons Unite is going to have your little one united with all the characters he loves, some close neighborhood friends, and give them hours of entertainment.

-mike-