Kung Fu Panda

Game Chronicles (9 out of 10)

It’s not often a video game can get me excited about a film, but I can honestly say I am now looking forward to watching Kung Fu Panda when it hits theaters this Friday. Meanwhile, I can’t recommend Kung Fu Panda, the video game, highly enough. Kids and teens will love it and you might even catch mom and dad playing it late at night. The story was fresh, funny, and original, the characters where delightfully designed and animated, and professional voiced, and the entire game was a pure delight to play from start to finish. I'm already well on my way through my second pass as I aspire to become a Master Ninja.

Inside Hotwire 3D (8.8 out of 10)

Kung Fu Panda is great action adventure overall, filled with unexpected single-player challenges that break up the repetitiveness of standard button-smashing.

PGNx Media (8.6 out of 10)

Overall, Kung Fu Panda is another well-made kid-focused licensed game from Activision. The gameplay manages to switch things up and be sufficiently challenging to engage older gamers, while keeping the core gameplay accessible to younger gamers. With solid gameplay and a great presentation, Kung Fu Panda is easy to recommend to fans of the movie or parents looking to entertain their kids with a robust yet accessible action platformer.

Wonderwallweb.com (8.5 out of 10)

Kung Fu Panda represents the first time I have played a game and then wanted to see the movie, that on it’s own has got to be a good thing, but even if the movie didn’t exist this would be one game I would play again without hesitation.

Cheat Code Central (4.2 out of 5)

Kung Fu Panda is definitely one of the better movie-inspired games I've played. The combat system as well as the puzzle-platforming style of the game work well together, and the whole game is fun to play. The game itself is not particularly memorable, but it provides a fun experience for those who enjoyed the movie. Despite its minor issues, if you are in the market for a movie-inspired game, Kung Fu Panda is a great choice and provides plenty of opportunities for children and adults to play together. Plus, who can say no to such a cute-but-deadly Kung Fu Panda?

XboxAchievements (84 out of 100)

Except maybe Viva Pinata, this is the most enjoyable family game I've played thus far. I can't in good conscience give it a score to rival any of the fabulous shooters or RPGs on the console, but it is far removed from the dredges with Golden Compass or Jumper. A fun story filled with excellent humor (all delivered with grace by Jack Black) alongside good graphics and simple controls. That's a good video game in a nutshell right there.

Planet Xbox 360 (8.1 out of 10)

What separates Kung Fu Panda from the bunk you are used to getting alongside a film's release is that it actually feels as though the game would stand up well on its own without the film. It is obvious that we should expect this from any such movie-related game, but we see it so infrequently that we get excited when it happens. Still, Activision absolutely nailed it with Kung Fu Panda, delivering a great game first and a film tie-in second.

UOL Jogos ( )

"Kung Fu Panda" é um belo exemplo de adaptação de filme que deu certo. Não tem grandes ambições e tenta apenas ser divertida, reproduzindo com fidelidade o clima descontraído do longa, o que faz com exatidão. Voltado para crianças e fãs do filme, é fácil de jogar, conta com personagens carismáticos e tem conteúdo o suficiente para algumas boas horas de diversão sem compromisso.

Gamernode (8 out of 10)

Panda Kung Fu is a fun game that shows very good attention to level design and creative game making. You don't have to be a kid to enjoy this one folks because it will appeal to a wide audience.

Adrenaline Vault, The (AVault) ( )

I was really quite surprised by the quality of this title. Normally, a licensed game makes the jaded reviewer in me groan, but Luxoflux continuously impressed me with the care they took in crafting this entertainment. This is far from a cheap knock-off aimed at milking a few extra bucks from the Panda maniacs out there. That said this game is aimed at younger gamers meaning the hardcore crowd can beat this in less than an afternoon. The extensive multiplayer suite is impressive and neatly underscores the added effort that Luxoflux put forth in crafting the game. This was a real surprise and actually succeeded in making me seek out the film, a task that I had no desire to do prior to playing the game. Let that serve as high praise. This Panda kicks butt.

Xboxdynasty (XD) (8 out of 10)

Kung-Fu Panda macht einfach riesig Spaß! Das Spiel hat viel Witz, jede Menge Action, ist für Kinder leicht zugänglich und versprüht ein märchenhaftes Kung-Fu Abenteuer. Die vielen Charaktere, dessen Kontraste unterschiedlicher nicht hätten sein können, lockern die Missionen weiter auf und die zahlreichen Objekte und alternativen Missionen sorgen für längeren Spielspaß bei Jung und Alt. Die 14 Mini-Spiele, die zum Teil erst freigeschaltet werden müssen, machen auch eine ordentliche Figur und sorgen mit bis zu vier Spielern gleichzeitig für weitere Spielfreude. Leider fehlt es dem Spiel, wie so häufig bei Spielen dieser Art, einfach an einem Online-Spielmodus.

MS Xbox World (8 out of 10)

Kung Fu Panda is a fun title with a lot to offer. It will make a perfect gift for a younger gamer in the household, while still offering adult gamers some top rate gaming experiences (even if abit short). For those of you who don’t have kids I recommend at the very least renting Kung Fu Panda for the weekend, and enjoy the experience that Luxoflux has managed to craft together.

Video Game Talk ( )

Kung Fu Panda isn’t a title designed for adults, but rather the young fans of the movie. To that point, the narrative is extremely entertaining for children and may even cause a few chuckles from the older crowd. Po’s rousing storyline, the light RPG elements and the challenging achievements are definitely worth the price of admission (which is $10 cheaper than most 360 titles). Pick this title up for any young fan of the movie as they won’t be disappointed.

Da Gameboyz (8 out of 10)

At the end of the day I would recommend anyone considering this game to download the Kung Fu Panda demo on Xbox Live before you decide to purchase this title. Don't get me wrong, it is a good game with many strong points to be found, but some of you more seasoned or younger gamers out there may find Kung Fu Panda is more suited as a weekend rental as opposed to $50.00 plus purchase. That being said, fans of the movie and kids alike should enjoy this movie based game as they will most likely get a fair amount of entertainment value from their purchase.

Game Vortex (80 out of 100)

In the end, Kung Fu Panda is one of the better licensed games to hit the streets lately. While I can't really compare it to the movie's plot (it has only just been released in theaters and I haven't had a chance to view it as of the time of this writing), the story is pretty good and the experience is generally fun.

Game Informer Magazine (8 out of 10)

While Kung Fu Panda certainly isn't breaking new ground, it's inspiring to know that studios are still capable of doing quality work in the well-worn platforming genre.

Gamereactor (Finland) (8 out of 10)

Kung Fu Panda on viihdyttävä kokonaisuus. Tekninen toteutus on hiottua ja ääninäyttely sekä tarina ovat onnistuneita. Harmiksi pelin välitehtävät ovat vaikeampia kuin itse taistelu, joka on selkeästi mielekkäämpää pelattavaa. Peli innoittaa katsomaan myös elokuvan, sillä Jack Blackin notkeat letkautukset on nähtävä myös isolla kankaalla itse komediamestarin lausumina.

Daily Game (8 out of 10)

The game looks good, plays good and is just as funny as the movie. However, it isn't all that long and lacks challenge.

360 LIVE (8 out of 10)

Ein rundes Vergnügen also? Fast, denn ein bisschen mehr Tiefe und Abwechslung - vielleicht sogar mal ein Rätselchen — hätte mancher sicher gut geheißen. Auch in Sachen Multiplayer kommt das Ganze eher zäh voran: Außer ein paar Runden Memory, Gruppenprügeln, Armbrustschießen oder Shanghai wird kaum was geboten. Zudem müssen die meisten der 14 Minispiele erst freigespielt werden, ebenso wie die faden Extras und die Handvoll Grafiken, die einen zum zweiten Durchspielen anspornen sollen. Und trotzdem ist Pummelpanda Po ein echter Kauftipp. Hier gelingt das Kunststück, die teure Filmlizenz so elegant umzusetzen, dass man dem Drachenkrieger gerne mehr als einmal unter die pelzigen Arme greift. Macht Spaß!

GamingExcellence (7.8 out of 10)

The only thing that is better than a good game, is a game that everyone expects will be bad, and turns out to be pretty good after all. Kung Fu Panda is such a game, which offers a fun, easy going experience coupled with some action, some platforming, and even a few role-playing elements. If you can forgive its short length and rather easy difficulty, and just want to play a quick, accessible game, than Kung Fu Panda won’t disappoint.

XboxAddict (78 out of 100)

Overall as a father on this Father' Day weekend in the states, I would highly suggest this game to all dad's for their kids. I myself love a good platformer, and is that game genre is up you alley then you aren't to old to play this game. Great humor, animations and storyline add to the fun and keep the game interesting and moving along at a good pace throughout. This one is definitely a good break from the typical FPS's and Racing games we typically see on the Xbox 360 anymore.

Gameswelt (78 out of 100)

Wenn ich ehrlich bin, hab ich nicht viel von 'Kung Fu Panda' erwartet; die Erfahrung hat mich diesbezüglich einiges gelehrt. Umso erfreulicher war die Überraschung, als ich mich mit Po und seinen tierischen Kämpfern durch die Comic-Welt geprügelt habe. Klar, ihr dürft kein tiefgreifendes Action-Epos erwarten. Für eine Spiele-Umsetzung ist der Titel jedoch erstaunlich gut gelungen und macht sowohl Alt als auch Jung für einige Stunden viel Spaß – dann flimmert der Abspann aber auch schon über den Bildschirm. Fans der Filmvorlage und Freunde leicht verdaulicher Action sollten reinschnuppern.

XBox Front (77 out of 100)

Alles in allem bietet Kung Fu Panda ein rundes Paket an Spielspaß für diejenigen, die mit dem Genre und der Tatsache dass der Titel doch eher an die jüngeren unter uns gerichtet ist, etwas anfangen können. Technisch ist das Spiel sicherlich keine Meisterleistung, macht aber dennoch einen soliden Eindruck und gehört mit Sicherheit zu den besseren „Verspielungen“ in diesem Genre. Panda-, Genre- und Fans des Films greifen bedenkenlos zu, alle anderen spielen vorher am besten Probe.

4Players.de (77 out of 100)

Was ist das für eine Welt, in der man sich nicht mal mehr darauf verlassen kann, dass eine Filmumsetzung angemessen Mist ist? Kung Fu Panda ist ein erstaunlich gut spielbarer Jump-n-Klopp-Spaß, der sich aufgrund seines ziemlich niedrig angesetzten Schwierigkeitsgrades zwar vorrangig an jüngere Pandafreunde richtet, aber auch alten Plattformhasen immer noch genug Unterhaltung bietet - den witzigen Sprüchen und Figuren sei Dank. Das Kampfsystem ist zwar simpel, aber erstaunlich variantenreich, Forschernaturen finden in den Levels viele versteckte Boni und der unerwartete Multiplayermodus ist zwar nicht der Weisheit letzter Schluss, aber ein gern gesehenes Zuckerstück. Macht alles in allem ein sehr sympathisches Spiel, das definitiv zu den besseren Filmumsetzungen zählt - jedenfall auf 360, PC und PS3.

Atomic Gamer (76 out of 100)

Sure, Kung Fu Panda won't be much to those hardcore gamers who have been dicing people up in the Ninja Gaiden series or wound up finishing Assassin's Creed for the story, but for kids this one's pretty solid. The graphics are great, the satisfying action has a smooth learning curve, and even though the original actors didn't play their roles here, the stand-ins are almost as good. It's sad to say that a game I'm giving a C-level score is a breath of fresh air, but that's just how bad summer-movie games have gotten. This one stands above them, even if it doesn't hold up to the best that game developers can deliver.

JeuxVideoPC.com (15 out of 20)

Un jeu d’action sans grande originalité mais tout de même bien pensé. A la fois drôle et assez beau, ce jeu plein de fabulosité plaira aux fans.

Xbox World Australia (XWA) (75 out of 100)

Kung Fu Panda is a movie tie-in, there's no getting away from that, but rather than being a pejorative label, in this case it's a good thing. It's a faithful recreation of one of the better animated movies of the year, and nothing about it feels like a cheap rush-job. The graphics are great, the gameplay is surprisingly solid and it's a lot of fun to play. Naturally hardcore gamers won't get a whole lot out of it aside from some easy Achievements, but if you've got kids running around the house or simply enjoy the change of pace these games offer, Kung Fu Panda is one of the best movie tie-ins of the year to date.

GamersHell.com (7.5 out of 10)

A simple, fun and well designed game, Kung Fu Panda doesn't offer the deepest narrative or most though-provoking gameplay for the more mature audiences; it's more of a guilty pleasure. Though, for the young gamer, it's perfect, and at $10 less than other, even worse, 360 titles, it's hard to argue with competent level direction and a pretty good multiplayer component.

IGN (7.5 out of 10)

Kung Fu Panda is a brief romp, but one that will keep young gamers interested from start to finish. Heck, maybe they’ll even play through it a second or third time. Just remember, the title won’t do much for anybody that would consider themselves a regular gamer. If you happen to have a young child, niece or nephew that liked the movie, give this a rent or a purchase. They’ll thank you later.

Worth Playing (7.5 out of 10)

As far as children's movie tie-in games, Kung Fu Panda a rare title that reaches the top of the barrel. It's well-designed, keeps the gameplay fresh, looks and sounds great, and appears to be a game that the developers actually tried to make into something fun, rather than selling it because the cover boasts the mascot of the week's popular cartoon character. Kung Fu Panda isn't perfect. The low difficulty level, short length and lack of replay value mean that it isn't going to be a lasting experience for young gamers, and the minimal multiplayer does little to impart any lasting value. If you can swallow the $49.99 price tag, Kung Fu Panda is an admirable attempt that is sure to please young fans of the movie, although older gamers will find little to satisfy them here.

Game Revolution (B)

Despite some minor annoyances, Kung Fu Panda turns in a well-rounded performance with enough appeal for small and big kids alike. Diverse gameplay mechanics keep the action from dragging its tail, and bonus rewards and multiplayer wackiness lend some replay value to the adventure. Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing would be proud. [Editor's Note: Ling-Ling would be proud in panda heaven.]

Gaming Target (7.5 out of 10)

As long as you can stand the unnecessary emphasis that Jack Black puts on every word, Kung-Fu Panda is a win-win game for both kids and their parents.

Game Freaks 365 (7.2 out of 10)

I have to say that as much as I tend to loathe licensed movie games, Kung Fu Panda is quite a decent platformer. It won't win any awards, but it gets the job done nicely and is sure to entertain lots of kids who get home from watching the movie. The fact that a parent could get involved and play in multi-player is even better family fun. Still, Kung Fu Panda is not for everyone. I found it to be overly easy. Anyone over the age of 12 or 13 will probably find a game like Ratchet & Clank to be far more suitable. If you have children, though, this is a great game for them and you to play together.

HonestGamers (Staff reviews only) (7 out of 10)

Still, while this game might not have been my cup of tea, I can't deny that it'd be a great game for a younger gamer. It's well-designed and entertaining with a number of levels that if nothing else, are fun to experience. If I was 25 or so years younger, I'd be enthralled with this title. I still can appreciate its charm.

GameZone (7 out of 10)

There are certainly worse movie-to-game titles, but this one does a decent job of having some fun and providing a coherent story, along with decent gameplay. If your kids bug you to get this game, rest assured they will not tire of it quickly, there is fun to be had here.

GameDaily (7 out of 10)

If you're more of a hardcore player, you might want to set Kung Fu Panda aside in favor of something meatier, such as Tecmo's Ninja Gaiden II. However, this Panda fits the bill. The presentation is better than previous licensed Activision fare (especially with whoever did Black's voice -- very awesome), the gameplay satisfies and the unlockable content will keep you busy. Ski-doosh!

Console Monster (70 out of 100)

Kung Fu Panda is recreated well in the movie-to-game transfer. The use of the license has been well used and despite its problems, is a good game. Whilst the game is certainly not a must-purchase due to its length, it is definitely a must rent for younger and casual gamers.

Totally Gaming Network (7 out of 10)

Overall this game is a fun experience. It is definitely one of the better games that is tied in with a movie. If you enjoyed watching the movie then you will enjoy playing the game and vice versa. While not perfect it was refreshing to see a title hit all of the main points introduced in the movie while at the same time expanding on material that the movie didn’t really cover. This title might be a little short for some gamers but the time you do spend there is definitely an enjoyable experience.

X-Box Gamer (14 out of 20)

On joue à Kung Fu Panda comme on jouait à Croc, Crash et Spryo sur notre bonne vieille PlayStation : avec un plaisir non dissimulé. Mais aujourd'hui, le concept du jeu de plateforme classique et redondant a forcément ses défauts. Néanmoins, Kung Fu Panda est assez joli et bien animé pour passer pour une très bonne surprise qui se laisse parcourir sans mal. On est loin de la révolution, mais le jeu est des plus honnêtes, c'est rare !

Eurogamer.net (UK) (7 out of 10)

Kung Fu Panda won't be winning any awards, and it won't be gracing any end-of-year lists, but that's not to say it doesn't deserve carefully measured praise. It manages the not inconsiderable feat of being a solid action game first and foremost, and a part of a blockbuster licensing campaign second. It's certainly the most enjoyable and polished kid's game without "LEGO" in the title for an embarrassingly long time. Parents wondering if they should cave in to pester power after a cinema trip can fork out for a rental or a purchase and know that they'll at least be getting an actual game for their money, not just a half-baked marketing exercise.

Eurogamer.de (7 out of 10)

Was uns zum Erstaunlichsten bringt: Kung-Fu Panda ist eine, ich wage es kaum zu sagen, richtig gute Umsetzung. Ein Spiel zum Film, das jede Menge Spaß, gute Laune und Jack Black in einer Form, die ihm steht, mitbringt. Zum wirklichen Kracher gehört aber auch leider die faire Herausforderung. Eine Challenge. Und genau die wird Euch hier versagt. Und insoweit solltet Ihr, wenn Ihr Kung-Fu Panda für Eure Kleinen kauft, damit rechen, dass sie schon relativ bald nach einem neuen Spiel schreien. Aber bis dahin hatten sie jede Menge Fun!

Official Xbox Magazine (UK) (7 out of 10)

There are problems - the platform jumping is annoying on occasion, the multiplayer mini-games are offline only, and it's way too easy. However, if you don't mind the embarrassment of being spotted with this in your Xbox 360, rather than Murder Gibs Explosion III, you'll be rewarded with a charming piece of entertainment... and a stash of easy Achievements!

Power Unlimited (69 out of 100)

Kung Fu Panda is een erg gemakkelijke game met een uiterst simpel gameconcept als basis, maar de afwisseling en de prima mulitplayer zorgen ervoor dat het een veilig cadeau is voor je kleine neefje… die ene die nog een beetje smaak heeft.

Computer Bild Spiele (2.64 out of 6)

Charmant und witzig sind der Held und seine fünf Freunde, die Sie zwischendurch ebenfalls steuern. Die Dialoge schießen oft übers Ziel hinaus, sodass die überbetonten Stimmen eher nerven als unterhalten. Zum Ausgleich stimmt die Optik. Sehr fein gezeichnet und nah an der Filmvorlage prügeln sich die Akteure augenzwinkernd durchs Abenteuer. Mitunter wird gerätselt, wo der strikt vorgegebene Weg weitergeht. Hübsche, aber leichte Kost, die vor allem Anfänger wohl als "befriedigend" ansehen werden.

Gaming Nexus (B-)

So no, developer Luxoflux didn’t reinvent so much as renovate the battered and bruised movie-to-game tie-in. It plays its role as a supplementary account of Po’s travels by gingerly applying characters and locations without stepping on the movie’s sandaled toes, and even further expounds on Po’s legend without spoiling his quest’s believability while doing so. The journey is a short, beautifully-visualized one, but filled with flying fists of fun while it lasts.

Gaming Age (B-)

However, if you're looking for a title that will keep you busy for a week or two, Kung Fu Panda won't quite fit your needs. The difficulty is perfect for the younger crowd, but late teens on up won't find much more than a 6-hour romp here. There are some unlockables, mostly in the form of small mini-games that can be played with up to 4 local players (no online here), but at best these will only keep you busy until the slight novelty wears off. I wouldn't suggest paying full price for the title, but in a few months I imagine you can pick this one up for a sub $30 price, and I think it's at least worth checking out with a rental.

Jeuxvideo.com (13 out of 20)

Pour peu que l'on ne soit pas un joueur exigeant (auquel, de toute façon, le jeu ne s'adresse pas), Kung Fu Panda est une adaptation vidéoludique de bonne qualité. Les séquences de combat prenantes alternent avec des phases de plates-formes décevantes, mais l'ensemble dégage un fun indéniable appuyé par une réalisation solide. A conseiller à tous les jeunes joueurs qui auront apprécié le film.

GameSpot (6.5 out of 10)

Kung Fu Panda is an admirable attempt to bring the fun, humour, and look of the film to the Xbox 360, and in these areas it succeeds. Unfortunately, a measly four hours of repetitive gameplay and inconsistent voice acting makes it a hard sell at full price for all but the most hardcore fans of endangered-species martial arts.

GNT - Generation Nouvelles Technologies (6 out of 10)

L'adaptation est réussie même si elle connait ici et là des défauts. Trop court pour qu'on puisse suivre de près le scénario, le titre n'en reste pas moins plaisant à jouer. Les personnages, notamment Po, conservent tous leur charme, rendant de ce fait l'aventure un peu plus attachante. Kung Fu Panda ravira les plus jeunes, heureux de retrouver ce balourd de panda à la volonté de fer. Un titre plaisant et divertissant qui nous aura apporté un appréciable moment de récréation.

Thunderbolt Games (6 out of 10)

Taken as a whole though, the game can’t be scored too highly as it is very short, doesn’t really use its fighting system to full effect in the single player game, and there are better multiplayer fighting games to be had elsewhere. However it is better that your average movie tie-in game. It’s genuinely funny in places with cool characters and impressive environments. It’s just a shame it’s all over so quickly as a more epic adventure with Po and friends would have been most welcome.