The Good
- Exceptional graphics that mimic the illustrative style of the Babar children's book series.
- Variety of fun gameplay styles.
- Simple enough for young players but not boring or limited.
- Diverse level design. No two levels are alike.
- Lots of replay value.
- Important moral lessons in helping friends.
- Almost no violent content. The goal is to collect crowns and save Babar's children, not to blow things up.
The Bad
- Too short. The entire game can be completed in about three hours.
- Older gamers will find the game too easy, but let's face it, this isn't geared towards them, so they have no business complaining.
Story
While playing hide and seek with their cousin Arthur, Babar's sons, Pom and Alexander, figure a hot air balloon will make a safe hiding place. There soon proven wrong when the rope securing the balloon to the ground comes loose and the balloon, along with Pom and Alexander, floats away. Babar hears his son's cries and gives chase in a second balloon.
Features
The Game
Before I get started let's get something straight, this game is for young kids, not experienced or advanced gamers. If you've beaten Final Fantasy IV, then you should look somewhere else because this game was not made for you. If you are just getting your start in the world of video games or under the age of nine, then this game is your perfect match. Alright, now that I've got that out of the way…
Babar - To the Rescue is one of the highest quality titles for young kids that I have seen for quite some time. In a business filled with poor, licensed titles that are strong on PR but weak in content, it's refreshing to see a game that goes beyond being faithful to the series to the point of becoming an extension of them.
In addition to the visuals and sound, the individual challenges are what will keep kids replaying. Instead of sticking with one gameplay style and stretching it out across an entire game, each level is unique. Even in levels that use similar styles such as the driving missions which include a car, motorcycle and boat, have their own unique environments. In one of the levels you swing on vines across dangerous bodies of water, in another other you suck up water in your trunk and use it to spray out fires.
The levels and control configuration are designed to build the players skill. The game starts with simple controls that become slightly more advance with each subsequent level. The goal that connects each challenge is to collect enough crowns to pass on to the next one. Collection of the crowns is treated similarly to the gold coins in the Super Mario Bros. games.
The only real drawback is that this game is far too short. The levels move quickly, so just when you feel you're getting started, the game is over. The entire game can be beaten in about three hours, and I'm being generous at that. This can be a bit disappointing especially when it comes to some of the fun features that appear all too briefly. Luckily once you've beaten a challenge it remains unlocked so you can go back and play them over and over again. It looks like they chose the look and quality of the game over length, and I'll take a good game that's short over a tedious, long one anytime.
Parents Tips
This game has been Rated E for Everyone by the ESRB. Although The Game Factory is the only GBA publisher to have released titles with the EC Early Childhood rating, this one didn't quite make it. In the driving, boating and hot air balloon portions Babar cannot be injured nor does he inflict injuries upon others, but in some of the platforming levels he runs the risk of falling in the water. Although it's not specifically said that he dies the fact that he falls in the water and moments later flickers back to his previous spot, implies that he has lost a life. Also, the final balloon ride through a storm can get a bit perilous and spooky for young kiddies.
Another less obvious element is the moral lesion in helping others out. There are moments where Babar has to assist other folks as he comes across them; they in turn help him on his mission, plus one of the missions is to help put out a fire. A good game that teaches a good lesson.
Trivia
The world was first introduced to Babar the Elephant in the 1931 French Children's book L'Histoire de Babar, written and illustrated by Jean de Brunhoff. The book was later printed in English in 1933 as The Story of Babar.