Game Description

With the power and portability of the Game Boy Advance, players can help the intergalactically known E.T. "phone home" and convene with his ship before the wretched government agents capture him. Playing as both Elliot and E.T., gamers explore ten large, interactive levels, beginning with E.T.'s arrival and ending with the return of the spaceship. Players discover, explore, and complete challenges to the tick of a clock while avoiding harmful earthlings.

Levels feature isometric 3D environments loosely based on the hugely popular 1982 film and include Elliot's house and the moonlit forest. E.T. and Elliot must avoid the agents that are all around, in addition to other energy stealing critters. Tasks include finding flowers, building a communicator, and levitating Elliot's bicycle. A timer is always running and each level must be completed before the clock runs out. Health bonuses are available in the form of sweets to keep up E.T.'s energy levels. After successfully completing the first nine levels, players will have the opportunity to pilot E.T.'s ship and must land it safely to transport E.T. home. Three difficulty settings are available and a password save allows completed levels to be skipped when returning to the game after shutdown. ~ Jennifer Beam, All Game Guide

Review: Enjoyment

Way too involved and frustrating for a children's title. ~ Jennifer Beam, All Game Guide

Production Credits

Company 1: Saffire Corporation

President: Hal Rushton

Operations Manager: Kathy Parke

Assistant Operations Manager: Cindi Adamson

Art Director: Don Seegmiller

Audio Director: Lance Levar

Creative Director: Brian Christensen

Technical Director: Dan Baker

Project Manager: Ryan A. Cook

Lead Programmer: Dave Rushton

Key Programmer: Don Milham

Programmer: Jeff Hughes, Deon Mcclung, Brian Rushton, Dan Scofield

Lead Artist: Sam Nielson

Artist: Paul Fox, Scott L. Maisey, Robyn Miley

Lead Designer: Ryan A. Cook

Designer: Brent Fox, Troy Leavitt, Sam Nielson, Dave Rushton

Music: Eric Nunamaker

Lead Tester: Barry Ellsworth

Tester: Jason Ablett, Devon Hargraves, C. Tyler Kay, Bracken Spencer, Jason Stott, John Talbot, Alexis Megron

Special Thanks: Todd Dewsnup, Jenni K. Dewsnup, Brandon Christensen, Thor Call, Steve Hardman, Andrew Nielson, Katy Nielson, Doug Pakidko, Rebeccah Goltz, Luke Barker, Jason Konikow, Zach Barker, Eric Samulski, Bradley Skalka

Company 2: Newkidco

Producer: Robert Goltz

Director of Licensing: Nina Skalka

Brand Manager: Robert Rotondi ~ Keith Adams, All Game Guide

Review: Overall

Though it's not a rule, few movies make truly successful transitions to video games. If it were a rule, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial for Game Boy Advance would be no exception and could possibly be categorized as a game that sets the rule. While it's unfair to expect the same magic that the big screen imparts, it's reasonable to expect some linking entertainment value. Taking a cue from its infamous Atari VCS ancestor, the best advice is to change your number before this title phones your home.

While the graphics aren't bad, and even depict some memorable movie scenes, the picture is just too dark -- a recurring problem in some handheld games and a big problem in this one. With ten levels to complete, most of which span large areas, it's very frustrating to have so much difficulty seeing where you're going and what you need to do. In the instance of enemies, the same problem with visibility applies and it's equally frustrating to not see E.T.'s adversaries until they're nearly upon him. While speaking of enemies, it's logical to assume that government agents would be foe not friend to E.T., but inexplicably, the croaking frogs present in some levels are mysteriously harmful to the little alien as well.

Other drawbacks are evident in the repetitious actions required of E.T. and Elliot throughout the game. For instance, levitating and then flying a bicycle is not an everyday occurrence and shows some ingenuity, yet the novelty of this action wears thin after doing it a bazillion times. Repetition is accompanied by the frustration of not only being pressured to finish a level without running out of energy, but without running out of time as well. The clock icon that ticks away in some of the large, explorative levels is very annoying when you realize you're lost and about to run out of time. Even if E.T. could fully charge his energy level by eating all the Reeces Pieces on the planet, he's simply out of luck when the time runs out and he has to try again.

Controls, though operative, are poorly designed as both character's are forced into running action by pressing and holding the directional pad. They start off in the commanded direction slowly, and then sprint until the button is released. When you're needing E.T. or Elliot to haul hind-end through a level it's not a problem, but on the contrary, most of the game is spent lost in a forest where sprinting is most hindering to progress.

A game that attempts to appeal to a younger gamers with its packaging, it fails its target audience with unforgiving gameplay. Right down to the last level, where even top aviation experts would be challenged to properly land the spaceship, children will likely derive frustration and contempt from the game before it ever ends. Poor E.T.'s gonna need a calling card or a 10-10 number because kids just aren't going to want to be much help with this challenge. ~ Jennifer Beam, All Game Guide

Review: Graphics

While the animation isn't bad, the color scheme detracts from the success the graphics could have had. ~ Jennifer Beam, All Game Guide

Review: Sound

Generic music and sound effects that seem neither applicable nor inappropriate. ~ Jennifer Beam, All Game Guide

Review: Replay Value

Should anyone, child or not, manage to stick with the game till the end, it's too big of a time investment -- even with passwords -- to want to play again. ~ Jennifer Beam, All Game Guide

Review: Documentation

The instruction manual explains basic gameplay and the controls, but leaves out some information -- such as how energy is lost -- and the onscreen directions may be above kids' heads. ~ Jennifer Beam, All Game Guide