Zooming to the Top of Its Class: Jimmy Neutron - Jet Fusion for Game Boy Advance

By Jonathan Berohn

If you read my review of Spy Kids 3D: Game Over for Game Boy, you were probably wondering: OK—so what do I get the kids? Here’s your answer. Jimmy Neutron: Jet Fusion is everything Spy Kids 3D isn’t.

Game Play

First, the game play is interesting. Jimmy Neutron has about two or three times as many areas to play in as Spy Kids, and the areas are far more diverse. You crawl through caves, swim under water, explore spaceships—the game designers certainly didn’t limit themselves.

And once you’re in these areas there are plenty of things for you to do. You can shoot, bomb, and freeze bad guys. You can also jump, fly, swim, and even convert Jimmy’s trusty robotic dog into a submarine to navigate the deeps.

Still want more? How about 3 mini quests per level to assemble a gizmo / thingamajig / whatchamacallit that you need to use to reach the level boss? But you don’t simply gather parts then face off with the level bosses. Jimmy Neutron uses a very original combination of puzzles that takes this game beyond the simple run around and shoot stuff mode of most of its compatriots. On the first level, you have to win at pachinko. The second level challenges you to play an organ in the right sequence. The third level calls for agility as you pilot a mini-sub through an obstacle course. And the last level puts you at the helm of a space robot as you negotiate a course filled with electric traps with your jet pack. In short, the game is never boring or stale.

Great for Young Kids

Just as importantly—especially since this a game for younger kids—the game never gets too hard or frustrating. Jimmy Neutron lets you save your progress after every 5 minutes or so of gaming. And if you do die, you start back at the last save point with all the life and gear you started with. This ensures that younger gamers won’t get dispirited and make you take over (although, to be honest, this game was amusing enough to keep my attention, too).

Finally, I have to mention one of the coolest tricks I’ve seen in a game in a while. The last weapon you find is a gumball blaster. It’s not really for shooting bad guys. You actually use it to build bubblegum ledges to gain access to new areas. The designers really deserve credit for this stroke of imagination. And, like I said, they deserve credit for the whole game. If you have young gamers in the house, Jimmy Neutron is a good choice.