Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion for the Nintendo 3DS is a nostalgic super smash brothers type fighting game that uses all the popular characters from Cartoon Network television shows. Finally, Cartoon Network brought back some of its classic cartoon characters such as Samurai Jack, Dexter, and the Powerpuff Girls (basically all Genndy Tartavosky cartoons). Playing through the story mode in this game will definitely bring back the memories of coming home from school and watching the classic cartoons for hours.
The Story mode is narrated by George Lowe the famous voice from the Powerpuff Girls, and moves the story along as if the player is watching an epic television episode that travels through different dimensions (t.v. shows) to save the world from turning evil. It’s basically the concept of the Justice League but for Cartoon Network characters.
There are a total of 18 playable characters in this game and 24 different levels. The characters list include; Blossom, Bubbles, Buttercup, Ben 10, Chowder and Kimchi (idk what they are from), Vilgax, Dexter, Monkey, Mojo Jojo, Flapjack, Captain K’nuckles, Samurai Jack, Numbuh one, Father, Mac and bloo (stupid show), Billy and Mandy, Grim, and Captain Planet (I wonder what attacks he uses..).
The story starts you out as Ben Tennyson reading a newspaper saying that his arch nemesis Vilgax has returned. Ben is then transported to Chowders world and realizes that Chowder has been corrupted and turned evil. After defeating the evil Chowder and freeing him from being corrupted Ben is met up by Dexter. Dexter informs Ben and Chowder that the corruption is happening to all the Cartoon Network t.v. shows and they must travel through his dimension traveling machine to save the others.
The fighting style is very similar to Super Smash Brothers titles where you have normal punching and kicking attacks by mashing the B button. Each character has a special attack and a super jump as well. The more damage you deal to an enemy the higher chance they will have of flying or falling off the stage and therefore losing a life. There are also items that can be utilized such as ray guns, val halla’s guitar, and similar things you would see in Super Smash Brothers (I have no idea how they got away with copying almost everything in smash).
Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion Rates:
Graphics 7/10 Not bad graphics for a handheld, but I have seen better 3D effects on the Nintendo 3DS before so I know they could have done a bit better. One thing I do like is the graphics stay true to the cartoonish look of each of the characters.
Game Play 6/10 The game play is a more dull version of Super Smash Bros and gets very tedious after a while. The special moves are fun for a bit but once you have seen them all they can get annoying to use because of the long cut scenes.
Audio 8/10 George Lowe lends his voice on this game and makes it a very fun feeling as if you are watching a Cartoon Network marathon. The sounds are all similar to the sound effects you would hear on the shows.
Replay Value 5/10 Other than trying to battle your friends through the wireless network I highly don’t you will want to run through the tedious button mashing storyline again.
Overall Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion for the Nintendo 3DS is definitely worth a rent, but beware this game will bring back memories of your favorite cartoons and make you want to watch them all over again.