Finding Nemo is already one of, if not the best, Pixar movie ever created. A video game tie-in following the movie's plot seemed like a no-brainer. Most animated movies around this time were guaranteed a tie-in licensed video game regardless of the film’s success. It’s my pleasure to say that I think the Finding Nemo video game does everything possible to deliver what made the movie so special in the first place. This game was produced by Travelers Tales. They would later be known for creating an endless number of Lego games, and their impressive ability to adapt this already great movie into an enjoyable gaming experience is a feat that makes my inner child smile.
Nemo longs for an adventure in the great barrier reef as he sets off for school for the first time. His overprotective father, Marlin, catches him being captured by a scuba diver and taken to a fish tank in a dentist's office in Sydney, Australia. It's up to Marlin and his forgetful new friend Dory to cross the ocean to find and rescue Nemo. On the other hand, Nemo works with a group of fish called the tank gang to escape the tank and return to the ocean.
The Story is a mostly paint-by-numbers version of the Finding Nemo movie. Honestly, it’s kinda redundant to say the story of the game because everything you know happens in the film, from the significant events to the characters to even the memorable dialogue, is all there and accounted for. Most levels are introduced and concluded by a cutscene ripped straight from the movie itself. This game goes out of its way to make you feel like you're playing through the movie’s story. Everything from meeting the tank gang in Sydney, Australia, to bouncing your way through the jellyfish forest is present and executed well enough while adding additional dialogue in the video game cutscenes and moments that in no way detract from the narrative. The story stays true to the movie while also adding material to work for the game. It does those things rather successfully. Although some scenes from the film are skipped for the game, it mostly delivers on the Finding Nemo story experience in a shorter format.
The Gameplay is simple but effective. It's easy and mellow but also relaxing and quite charming. Most stages have you moving from point A to point B, and sometimes, you’ll have segments where you swim away or towards the camera. There are many challenges to be completed, and you’ll earn a starfish every time a certain bonus task is completed, such as swimming through rings of bubbles, bubbling up and defeating certain enemies, and getting different colored rocks to match their matching colored stones. You can earn shell points by collecting colorful shells scattered throughout the game. The game will also save your time playing, encouraging players to get a faster time of beating the level than before. The game controls are mostly very smooth. The player can play as Nemo, Marlin, or Dory, and each has the same abilities, such as picking up objects and darting into objects or enemies at the touch of a single button. Collecting blue krill found around the area or defeating certain enemies will give the player additional lives to avoid starting over at the beginning of the checkpoint. Sometimes, there will come times when you can switch between characters (mainly Marlin and Dory) to help each of them get across areas that the other can’t seemingly do at the time. The only thing that may be disappointing to some gamers (not mainly me) is that the challenges you complete and the shell points you earn don’t really matter in the grand scheme of the entire game, as those scores are mainly for your own enjoyment but on the plus side, there are some nice extras you can unlock when you complete all of a level’s objectives which is excellent for fans of the original movie itself. The game is easy but fun for anyone of any age to pick up and play, regardless of skill level.
The Graphics look good for 2003. This is a PS2-era game, so the graphics may not look as polished as today's games. Still, I give Travelers Tales full credit for capturing the feel and tone of the Finding Nemo movie, and the underwater world looks lively and colorful. The color palette on every level is beautiful and rich, and even the enemies you must avoid in the game add a level of detail to make the world under the sea intriguing. Every level in the game has a beautiful color palette that makes each level stand out. From the sharp purple of “Mask Chase” to the dangerous reds of “Submarine,” every level looks slightly different from the last. The level designs are made with their targeted audience in mind but also make room for extra opportunities for exploration and risk for seasoned gamers. These graphics may look premature initially, but the vibrant colors and exciting level designs make this game feel more alive.
The Music obviously can’t top what has already been done for the movie. Thomas Newman’s original movie score will always be the best of the best. Still, given credit to the music makers of this game’s soundtrack, the music is so lovely and mellow while making room to make room for melodies to become intense when needed. I’m not kidding when I say this music is so flippin memorable. Each track is instantly catchy, and while it's far from being at the same level as the Pixar movie, it nevertheless creates its own identity to be as close as possible to its movie counterpart.
My nostalgia is strong for this game. I admit that the game won’t be for everyone, especially those who would prefer a challenging and complex video game with mountains of creativity. However, to me, Finding Nemo, the Video Game, is a calm and easy game with just enough charm and colorful environments to make me feel like I’m six years old again. There are better video games out there, and even better-licensed video games. I will always love this game, even if it is short and easy. This is an example of a comfort food game. I will always love playing this game, even if it's for the millionth time in a row. It's a nostalgic classic and a fun game that captures the spirit of Finding Nemo while keeping its charm and likability.
(Final Grade A-)