With the premiere of the first Paw Patrol movie imminent, it’s an opportune moment to examine the latest game featuring the popular canine heroes. For those unfamiliar, Paw Patrol is an animated TV series centered around a team of puppies, each with unique skills and breeds, who collaborate to perform rescues and safeguard their community. The team includes Chase, a police-officer German Shepherd; Skye, a flying Cockapoo; and Marshall, a Dalmatian firefighter. We previously reviewed Paw Patrol: On a Roll, a straightforward yet charming 2D side-scrolling title designed for younger players, notably devoid of violence, time constraints, or any “game over” scenarios. Games specifically tailored for younger audiences are relatively scarce. Often, titles are either too complex, with excessive controls, or feature inappropriate violence. This is a key reason why we, along with our younger reviewers, appreciate games like Mario Kart 8, which offers customizable driving assistance for less experienced players. Consequently, a new PAW Patrol game rated for ages 3+ arriving for review was met with considerable enthusiasm.
Paw Patrol Mighty Pups: Save Adventure Bay distinguishes itself not only with a more extensive title but also with more intricate gameplay mechanics and the addition of a two-player cooperative mode. The core gameplay now incorporates a greater sense of depth, presenting a pseudo-3D environment. The game retains its accessibility, providing ample assistance to accommodate players with developing motor skills, enabling them to navigate jumps and movement effectively. The introduction of simultaneous two-player gameplay and expanded directional movement (technically eight directions) elevates the difficulty slightly compared to the previous 2D side-scroller. Therefore, for younger or less experienced players, commencing with the original game may be advisable.
Despite the increased motor skill demands, Mighty Pups remains accessible for younger gamers. Levels can be replayed, with guidance provided to locate previously missed bonuses, negating the need to re-collect every item in each playthrough, a feature absent in the prior title. The most significant enhancement is the addition of simultaneous two-player functionality, enabling cooperative play between siblings, friends, or even parents. Cooperative gameplay aligns perfectly with the spirit of PAW Patrol, making it the standout feature of this sequel. However, a minor drawback arises from the implementation of special features such as Quick Time Events and running track sequences, which are restricted to single-player participation, inevitably excluding one player. Other games, such as LEGO Incredibles, have addressed this aspect more effectively.
Paw Patrol, broadcast on the Paramount/Viacom-owned children’s channel Nickelodeon, doesn’t represent the pinnacle of modern animation. Consequently, the game’s last-generation visuals are adequate, although a next-gen patch for Xbox Series or PS5 would have been welcomed, especially given the time since the consoles’ release. The game operates seamlessly on these platforms via backwards compatibility. However, the graphical fidelity is not a critical factor for a game of this nature. Our younger reviewers noted a relative scarcity of “superhero” Mighty Pups content, a point we adults hadn’t initially observed but which is somewhat peculiar given the game’s title. Conversely, the game provides more balanced screen time for all PAW Patrol members compared to its predecessor, which heavily emphasized Chase, Skye, and Marshall.
As before, the game incorporates mini-games, including familiar ones from the previous installment and a Just Dance-inspired game that proved particularly popular among the younger testers, though presenting some difficulty for the youngest players. Overall, the game offers a slightly elevated challenge due to its mechanics and expanded movement options but remains well-suited for children with some gaming experience or with adult assistance. The price point may seem somewhat high for a relatively simple game; however, the limited availability of games catered to very young children mitigates this concern.
For households with PAW Patrol enthusiasts, Paw Patrol Mighty Pups – Save Adventure Bay represents a worthwhile entertainment option.
