Anyone that has children that watch Disney or has had time to be bored and flip around their cable have likely seen the oddly-animated show, Phineas and Ferb. Those that are in the first subset may have bought the original Phineas and Ferb title for the DS, back in February of 2009. Phineas and Ferb Ride Again is a considerably different title from the original offering, and pushes the Nintendo DS in a way few shows based off of television or a movie have in the past.
While there are some nods to the previous title (such as building or racing on a number of different objects like mine carts and skateboard ramps), the boss stages against Agent P take the series in a bold new turn. Perhaps most interesting of the features in Ride Again have to be the mini-games that pop up. Succeeding in these games, where players have to ensure that they get away from Candace, the weapons that they have are upgraded. Rather than merely feeling as if Disney has just created unique sprites for Phineas and Ferb and placed them on already-designed levels, Phineas and Ferb Ride Again bring players into a number of distinct and uniquely show-related locales.
Whether it is in Danville Woods, showing players ancillary characters like Buford, Isabella, or Baljeet, Phineas and Ferb Ride Again represents a game that will consistently be in the DS’s of anyone that picks it up. While players can enjoy Ride Again without watching the show in the past, I feel that there are more than enough in the way of subtle (and not so) nods to gags in the show that having some familiarity is needed. Regardless, Disney Interactive Studios has a title on their hands that will appease both young and old, while not pandering to either group. Little ones will like the vibrant colors, while older individuals will love the strong control scheme here. Pick it up.
Rating: 7.6/10
Phineas and Ferb Ride Again (Nintendo DS) / 2010 Disney / http://disney.go.com/disneyinteractivestudios/