Disney's Dinosaur Action Game

Flia, Aladar, and Zini are on their own in a dangerous land of lava, tarpits, falling rocks, and ferocious predators. It's up to you to guide them to safety, but are you up to the challenge of the prehistoric world?

Disney's Dinosaur Action Game is an arcade and problem-solving game for children 8 years and older, which casts players in the roles of characters from its feature film. Aladar and his friends scamper through an inimical environment: fighting off hostile dinosaurs, helping forest animals find their way to food and shelter, and trying to survive the many hazards thrown their way en route. Player control alternates between the three characters depending on the task at hand. As a pteranodon, naturally, Flia takes all the flying tasks, fetching tiny but essential items from crags and treetops. Zini the lemur is especially useful when climbing is required, and he can also throw stones in the path of enemies and obstacles. Of the three, Aladar is the big hitter, using his iguanodon might to head-butt enemies or smash at them with his muscular tail.

The most pleasing aspect of this game is its emphasis on teamwork. Players switch from character to character as the needs of their situation change. They also move collectively to deal with some threats. Though play is mission based--meaning that you must solve a preset task before advancing to the next level of play--the action is presented at arcade speed. Therefore, Aladar must dodge explosions of lava, jump over massive earth fissures, and face predators head-on--all while trying to rescue a trapped Flia. As you move into higher levels of play, the characters' unique abilities increase, making them an ever-more efficient but still interdependent unit. Ironically--in this context, anyway--the game is a single-player interface, with no multi-user or Internet options.

Dinosaur Action Game offers high-quality graphics, appealing characters, a cohesive storyline, and danger aplenty. It is a combination that will keep young gamers on the edge of their seats, guaranteeing many hours of fun. (Ages 8 to adult) --Alyx Dellamonica