PlayStation 2

Disney's Stitch: Experiment 626

Stitch: Experiment 626 is the latest videogame entry meant to promote Disney’s recently released to DVD film, Lilo & Stitch. Unlike numerous Lilo & Stitch games that attempt to recreate the look and feel of the movie, Experiment 626 is being billed as a prequel of sorts, perhaps because releasing yet another L&S game based solely on the movie would be incredibly redundant. But while the franchise to which this game is attached may sell enough copies to turn a profit for Disney Interactive, it does feature surprisingly coherent and solid action that is somewhat reminiscent of the then-innovative MDK titles from a few years back.

I saw the Lilo and Stitch movie because I wanted to. In fact, I was really excited about it. Yes, I'm a grown man that looks forward to Disney movies and that is arguably not a freak (maybe). Not that I like all Disney movies, but there was something about Stitch that I thought was cool, something that made me almost want to brag about seeing it later on.

You know it’s summer when Disney premiers their latest animated flick. This year, the movie stars the mismatched pair of a Hawaiian girl named Lilo, and an energetic alien known as Stitch. Since Stitch boasts tons of life, is full of personality, and adorable in the eye of the public, he remains the number one draw of the movie. Because of this, Stitch can be found just about anywhere you turn. In being lucky enough to visit Disney World down in Florida last month, I found Stitch surrounded with immense popularity. A large statue was present outside of MGM Studios. Artists took time to draw only him in front of crowds, and loads of collectable toys and other merchandise were present as well. Like any big animated icon, Stitch takes claim of a set of McDonald’s toys and even stars in his own handful of videogames.

Lilo & Stitch: Experiment 626 has done for Disney’s console line what the movie Lilo & Stitch has done for the entire line of Disney movies in general: It’s meant to shake things up! Stitch, if you haven’t had the chance to become acquainted with the blue ball of adrenaline, is a genetic experiment gone awry – or right on course - depending on whose point of view you take. Engineered to be an instrument of mayhem and destruction, Experiment 626 for the PS2 takes Stitch on an entirely different adventure than the Earth-bound movie journey – giving him lots of things to destroy, and pitting him against a jealous “little brother” in the form of Experiment 623.

The introductory moments of gameplay are excruciating, begging the question, “Is Experiment 626 just that – an experiment that studies the pain threshold of the gaming masses?” If you see the world through my eyes, where Disney is the devil, then yes, this game was developed with the sole purpose of destroying children’s lives. On the other hand, if you are the forgiving type, and can work your way through the unsatisfactory beginning, you’ll see that this game actually has a lot to offer. I believe the saying is “good things come to those who wait.” As the game progresses, new gadgets and moves are added to your arsenal. By mid-game, you really get a good feel for the action at hand – which can best be described as a lighthearted MDK. The camera is a tad loose, but the platforming segments are inventive, and the shooting controls have a nice feel to them.

That's how IGNPS2 editor-in-chief Doug Perry described this game -- "A maniacal game just about blowing $#!^ up made for hyperactive little children". Out of his mouth, that's a rave -- the man relates well to maniacal hyperactive little children. Playing through Disney's Stitch: Experiment 626, you can see pretty quickly what Doug "Captain Insane-O" Perry got out of the game -- you're a blitzkrieging bopper laying megawatts of laser blasts to every spec of dust that the little blue genetic freak comes across. Glee. However, you may have to be nuts like Doug to really get into the rest of this game.

Stitch: Experiment 626 provides a disjointed gameplay experience, and as such it can't be recommended to anyone who isn't very into the recently released Disney movie.

Games based on movies are usually pretty bad, but the Disney games tend to at least be playable. Still, I'd really like to see a game that doesn't just repeat the movie. For example, Stitch: Experiment 626 is a 'prequel' to the movie Lilo and Stitch.