Alvin and the Chipmunks Review for PC

System: PC, PS2, Wii	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Sensory Sweep	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Brash Entertainment	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Dec. 4, 2007	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Everyone	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

As far as those tunes go, there's one thing you can say for sure: these songs are rendered faithfully in chipmunk style. Whether or not that is a good or bad thing, I'll leave to you. But the songs definitely sound a lot like their original counterparts with some high-pitched vocals to give them the signature chipmunk effect. Some of the song highlights from this title include "Heartbreak Hotel" originally by Elvis Presley, "Love Shack" originally by the B52's, and, oddly enough "Santa Monica" originally performed by Everclear. Not sure if the little ones will appreciate the full meaning of that one, but I suppose good music is good music, right?

Alvin and the Chipmunks screenshot

Graphics-wise, this game is really not that much to look at. Honestly, the graphics are GameCube-era or early PlayStation 2 at best. Scenes that involve plot elements are just still photographs with voiceovers, and the whole thing just doesn't look good. However, because this game is aimed at the younger sect, I'm not too sure how hung up the little kids are going to be with the graphics. The real centerpiece of this game for the little ones will probably be the songs, and more than likely they won't even notice whether the graphics are good or not.

Overall, Alvin and the Chipmunks is a pretty good game for young kids. It will introduce them to the great fun that is the rhythm genre. And even though the game might seem boring, repetitive or stupid to those of us in the older generation, the younger sect will appreciate the simplistic gameplay and the fun chipmunk-y songs. I would fully recommend this game to people who know a little one who loves music, and is just starting to get into the world of video gaming.

By Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Freelance Writer

Features:

Sing and play along to a deep soundtrack featuring popular licensed songs from many different era's including some of the original Chipmunk classics

Comical storyline surrounding the Chipmunk's universe

Various levels of difficulty will keep players of all ages engaged

Live out rock stardom dreams with the power trio of Alvin, Simon, and Theodore!

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

1.5

Graphics
Looks like a GameCube game, and "cinema" scenes are no more than stills with dialogue.

3.5

Control
Very simplistic, but at least they're responsive, if not repetitive.

3.0

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Faithful Chipmunk renditions of some pretty classic songs. If that's good or bad, I'll leave for you to decide.

3.0

Play Value
The eight and under crowd will love playing this one after school or before bedtime. Anyone else should have known better. This is obviously for the younger sect.

2.8

Overall Rating - Average
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.