Scooby-Doo!: Night of 100 Frights

The sound effects, voice acting, and cartoon visuals all combine to make a fun game. Fans of the original show should definitely pick this up (though why you wouldn’t have done so for the PS2 or GameCube is beyond comprehension).

Overall, this is a decent game. The graphics aren't fabulous, and the camera angle & constant backtracking tend to be a bit tedious. However, the authenticity of Scobby-Doo and the gang of Mystery, Inc. makes it worth at least at glance. It's especially great for kids because there is no blood, sex, or violence and you can retry each puzzle over and over until you get it just right. Plus at $19.95, you can't beat the price.

If this game didn’t have the Scooby Doo license, I doubt it would be as good as it is. Because in this case, having the Scooby license gives THQ and Heavy Iron the chance to make the game feel like the old show, and not only give fans something to do, but give kids a chance to get into the shows (which still air all the time, and are all over home video too) as well. Major hardcore gamers who don’t like Scooby Doo (scumbags) are sure to scoff at the premise and simplicity, but the rest will find Scooby to be a fun, if not mentally stimulating game that will probably be played through a few times, or at least until you get 100% complete. While licensed games are usually are junk, this one is quite good – and well worth your time.

The audio is absolutely stunning. The background music sounds as if it's lifted directly from the show, and the sounds of creaking doors, fluttering wings, and howling wolves are crisp and clear. Scooby Doo himself has a surprising amount of dialogue, and many of his lines are nothing short of hilarious. Last but not least, the game even has laugh track - how bizarre is that?? Great fun for the whole family, Scooby Doo Night of 100 Frights sometimes feels more like a funhouse ride than a game.

The best part of the game has to be the sound. The characters are professionally acted (and very well, might I add) and the sound effects are taken straight out of the original Hanna-Barbera cartoon show. Scooby muses quite frequently throughout the game, basically every time an enemy shows up, Scooby yells “Ruh-oh, ruh rombie!!” or whatever monster appears. Also, the game’s audio implements one feature which, above all, makes the game loyal to the TV show- a laugh track. A cheesy, canned laugh track. The laugh track goes off whenever someone tells a bad joke, or during the game when Scooby does something awkward or funny. This feature actually manages to enhance the gameplay and make the game emulate the style of the show.

Night of 100 Frights is a simplistic, yet fun platformer that will appeal to Scooby fans and children. The Xbox version doesn’t offer any real changes from the version released on other consoles last year, but the game still stays incredibly true to the TV show and offers all the fun and charisma that have made the series so endearing and popular over the years.

Now, don’t get me wrong. This game is extremely fun and entertaining, but a couple of points had to go due to some camera and graphics issues which couldn’t be overlooked. The overall controls are smooth and easy to maneuver, and you can tell that Renderware and THQ really put some time into making this a good, solid, fun game. I would definitely recommend you avid Gamezone readers out there to give this one a try before passing it up as another kids game or a no go, or else you may miss out on an enjoyable gaming opportunity.

Here at GameCritics.com, we have a very well defined ratings system. A five isn't actually a terrible mark. It just means that the game isn't exceptional in any way. If this weren't a Scooby-Doo game, that's the score it would be getting. But it is a Scooby-Doo game, and if I were allowed to rate the game solely for its Scooby-Doo content, it would be a solid ten. Which puts me in a bit of a binddo I pretend that I've never watched a single cartoon, and judge it solely on its merits as a game, or do I acknowledge the weight that the franchise's history adds to the game's value? Really, it's probably best to split the difference and summarize the review with a simple thought: If someone were looking for a platforming action game, there are better ones out there. If someone were looking for a Scooby-Doo game, there aren't.

Do you love Scooby-Doo? If so, this is the game for you. It's got a lot of fun platforming elements such as minor puzzle solving scenarios, varied level challenges and tons of item searching and collecting. It's a beautifully crafted game that reflects the style of the cartoon better than any other previous attempt, but you will find that the camera seriously hampers the enjoyment at times. Are you not familiar with Scooby-Doo? If so, the game probably won't hold your interest long enough to justify a purchase and a rental is strongly recommended. Even though you may not want to add this title your collection, you will want to experience the superb animations for yourself because they are that good. "Scooby-Doo! Where are you?!" Now, you don't have to ask that question anymore; just turn on your PlayStation 2.

Scooby-Doo! Night of 100 Frights definitely isn't impressive for its technical merits. Nevertheless, it re-creates the look and feel of the old cartoon series with astonishing accuracy and is also pretty fun.

Overall, Scooby-Doo! Night of 100 Frights is a good game and an excellent re-creation of a cherished cartoon.

There are some mentionable problems with the game, like the sometimes-annoying camera system and overly simplistic gameplay mechanics, but overall this is an entertaining platformer that doesn't feel like it was rushed out the door in the hopes of making some quick cash. THQ did a great job with the license and does justice to the Scooby legacy; a welcome breath of fresh air.

On the upside, Scooby Doo: Night of 100 Frights has a lot of classic Scooby character packed into it. True, the game doesn't rely upon it like Classic Creep Capers did, but it still packs enough classic TV show monsters and ghouls to keep fans of the show happy. The graphics have seen a next-generation overhaul too and Scooby looks better than he ever has before. All of the colors are vibrant and the color palette matches the show to a tee. What is best about this whole package is the fact that Scooby's animations look as if they came directly from the show. Sure, it would have been nice to have Shaggy along, but the game plays better as a solo adventure.

Scooby-Doo: Night of 100 Frights is a fun platform title that is a bit light in content and certainly not as challenging as the newer platform games like Maximo or Jak & Daxter. Once you get used to the lack of any camera control you can settle in for a classic Scooby mystery presented in true TV style, complete with cheesy dialog and a cheesier laugh track.

While Night of 100 Frights is technically new to the Xbox, those who have already enjoyed it on one of the other systems will have little reason to revisit it here. The low price point and solid gameplay are fine excuses to pick this game up, but compared to other AAA Xbox games, Night of 100 Frights blends inconspicuously into the crowd. THQ did a great job with the license and does justice to the illustrious Scooby legacy. If you have yet to play this game, now’s your chance.

Scooby-Doo: Night of 100 Frights is a fun platform title that is a bit light in content and certainly not as challenging or innovative as the newer platform games like StarFox. Once you get used to the lack of any camera control you can settle in for a classic Scooby mystery presented in true TV style, complete with cheesy dialog and a cheesier laugh track.

When you get down to it Night of 100 Frights is a solid, if standard platformer if you have some appreciation for Scooby-Doo or if you're looking for a game for the kids. It will probably be passed up by most gamers for it's immature look and feel, but that's exactly the point (and they seem to forget what Mario Sunshine looked like). I'm not even a huge Scooby-Doo fan from back in the day, it probably wouldn't rank in my top five childhood favorites. But I do appreciate the classics, and this one has been done right in Night of 100 Frights. Now just pretend Scrappy never existed in our world and go about your business.

Night of 100 Frights stars the entire Scooby-Doo cast, except for Scrappy (thank goodness). The game opens up with a 3D version of the TV series' credits, theme song included. It's both pointless and cool at the same time, as they could have just shown the original opening video. The story is simple. The gang has been asked to check out the disappearance of Alexander Graham, a scientist who has vanished in his huge mansion. The mansion appears to be haunted and the gang goes to investigate, sans Scooby and Shaggy, of course. They all proceed to get kidnapped, and it's up to Scooby to save the day.

Scooby-Doo is many things, but it's definitely not a hard-core Tekken fan's idea of fun; this I can say with sheer sincerity. In fact, I'd say it's not going to be a love-fest for any hardcore gamer. But it's really not meant to be. Scooby-Doo: Night of 100 Frights is a fun, light-weight platformer that's got solid gameplay, respectable productions values, and a great sense of humor to back it up. For parents with kids, or old hippies who just can't handle today's grim prospects of war, terrorism, or reality TV, Scooby-Doo: Night of 100 Frights is a wonderful escape into the wonders of cheesy TV, only this time you can play the show on your PlayStation 2. It's fun for what it is, surprisingly so.

For a variety of reasons, Scooby-Doo! Night of 100 Frights will appeal most to young children and to diehard fans of the cartoon show. It's not a particularly lengthy game, but the 10 to 15 hours of first-run play time should suit the intended audience just fine. Above all, the game's story and characters are just as entertaining as an episode of the TV show.

Scooby-Doo is many things, but it's definitely not a hard-core Tekken fan's idea of fun; this I can say with sheer sincerity. In fact, I'd say it's not going to be a love-fest for any hardcore gamer. But it's really not meant to be. Scooby-Doo: Night of 100 Frights is a fun, light-weight platformer that's got solid gameplay, respectable productions values, and a great sense of humor to back it up. For parents with kids, or old hippies who just can't handle today's grim prospects of war, terrorism, or reality TV, Scooby-Doo: Night of 100 Frights is a wonderful escape into the wonders of cheesy TV, only this time you can play the show on your Xbox. It's fun for what it is, surprisingly so.

It starts out with a faithful recreation of the theme song montage from the classic seventies Scooby Doo cartoon show, and it’s (mostly) all downhill from there. For fans of the original O.G. doggy dogg, there are a lot of nice touches, especially the hilarious voiceovers and cheesy laugh track. Graphically, it’s not too shabby, either, and there is even a well-designed warp system to take you between the various levels. Too bad the gameplay is so damn mediocre and dull. Oh yeah, as a reviewer, I believe I’m bound by law to say this: Scooby Doo? More like Scooby don’t!

Scooby Doo! Night of 100 Frights is pleasing for both the eyes and the ears. Although the graphics aren't mind blowing in the conventional sense, the game benefits from the fact that the graphics accurately represent the TV show's cartoon nature. The sound works in the same fashion as the sound effects, and the background music helps to create the illusion that you are in an actual Scooby Doo! episode. Unfortunately, these two features do not mask the choppy, non-fluid gameplay, which in the end creates a frustrating gaming experience.

After watching the game's opening sequence I was looking forward to the chance to guide Scooby through a new mystery, but that enthusiasm was worn down by its generic platform gameplay. There is nothing new here, and the tried and true platform elements are simply ho-hum. Making it through a level to find a wacky invention to increase your powers sounds like fun, but when the payoff is that you can jump a little higher or ram easily avoided enemies you'll find your excitement rapidly waning. What you've got here is a very generic platformer best left to obsessed Scooby fans or an evening's rental.

The original gang of crime-busters, Fred, Velma, Daphne, Shaggy, and Scooby, is back. Not with a vengeance, but with a laugh track. The motley crew of snoops has made the transition from the TV to GameCube and with the aid of THQ and developer Heavy Iron (of Evil Dead fame), Scooby-Doo: Night of 100 Frights is not the horrible old license usery of the past. This Scooby-Doo game actually has merit (in a manner of speaking), it doesn't take itself seriously (which is good), and it looks and feels like the show, which is appealing beyond just the nostalgia of it all. Of course, by platformer standards, the end result is nothing particularly special -- there are far better offerings in this genre, and indeed without the license to carry it the game's appeal drains quickly. And yes, it really does have a laugh track.

J'avoue mettre bien amusé sur le jeu pendant environ une bonne heure. Passé ce cap, je me suis rendu compte que la suite n'apportera pas beaucoup de changements et se contentera de proposer sans cesse le même style de séquences de sauts. L'univers de Scooby-Doo est cependant bien respecté ce qui pourra éventuellement en attirer certains.

J'avoue mettre bien amusé sur le jeu pendant environ une bonne heure. Passé ce cap, je me suis rendu compte que la suite n'apportera pas beaucoup de changements et se contentera de proposer sans cesse le même style de séquences de sauts. L'univers de Scooby-Doo est cependant bien respecté ce qui pourra éventuellement en attirer certains.

Not the worst game on the Gamecube, but its definitely not worth a purchase, in fact a rental would be questionable. It seems the game can’t strike a balance. You’ll blow through some levels with such ease you’ll get bored, then you’ll die numerous times trying to navigate a course, guessing what the controls will do. The camera setup is adequate, but on occasion it’ll bite ya as well. I say only rent if you’re a diehard Scooby fan, have young children who are into Scoob, or have absolutely no other fresh titles to select from.

Unlike the wonderful Scooby Doo games from The Learning Company (Showdown in Ghost Town and Phantom of the Knight), the developers at Heavy Iron Studios have failed to capitalize on the wealth of riches provided to them and what could have been classic is instead a warmed-over rerun. If you must play Night of 100 Frights, do yourself a favor and rent it at your local store. At the end of your rental period, you will have had more than your share of Scooby Snacks for quite a while.