Tiny Toon Adventures: Babs' Big Break

The Good
So this game is the very first Tiny Toon Adventures game for the game boy and so far developer Konami has done an above-average job on these games. Despite the game's title, this game includes only Buster, Plucky, and Hamton as playable characters; unlike the NES games, though, the trio function more like Mega Man weapons (although the game itself is more Mario-like than Mega Man-like) which you can switch out at any time to use their unique projectiles.

This game, which was designed by the same designer as the game boy Castlevania games, features some decent graphics and level design. The levels are fairly large and maze-like with intersecting planes that connect via tree trunks and exploring is emphasized with hidden mini-games and mandatory "find the character" side-quests in every level. The game is also, thankfully, well programmed and the play control never feels awkward, unlike say the Super Mario Land or Game boy TMNT games.

The Bad
This may seem a small complaint to some but, as I've said before, it annoys me that Babs Bunny, being one of the show's 'mainest' of main characters, isn't featured more prominently in the games, but this game really takes the cake. With a name like "Babs' Big Break" the average consumer would expect this to be a game where you play as Babs but, not only is this not true, she actually functions more as the game's inadvertent "villain". The actual conflict of this game, and I'm not making this up, is that Babs dared to venture out into Acme Acres unattended by an escort and now Buster, Plucky, and Hamton have to chase after her and protect her from vague and undefined danger. That's not just an incredibly weak plot, it's false advertising!

Moving on from 'soft' complaints to 'hard' this game has a number of other problems. Unlike most Konami games or even most Tiny Toons games, this game feels short (with only 4 levels), overly easy, and targeted specifically towards younger gamers who just want to finish the game with out too much trouble. There's little challenge, little depth, and a major lack in excitement as exemplified by the game's amazingly boring final boss which is just Montana Max in a tiny robot suit that slowly hops back and forth.

The Bottom Line
Most of the Tiny Toon Adventure games made by Konami are actually pretty good and like other games in the series this game features the same quality graphics and control. Unfortunately its basic competency can't make up for a lack of challenge, depth, or excitement that makes this game the only Tiny Toons game specifically suited for younger and more inexperienced players.