Licenses based on cult 1980's icons are certainly becoming popular of late. Terminator, Rocky, and Knight Rider have all appeared in game format recently and now, possibly the most bizarre of the lot, we have a 2D, platform adventure starring none other than mischievous moggy the Pink Panther. Whatever next? A Jossy's Giants football game? (Now there's an idea!)
Fishing peacefully at sea, whilst under the heavy scrutiny of Inspector Clouseau, our friend the Pink Panther suddenly finds himself in a rather awkward predicament. In a most unfortunate turn of events, a wrongly programmed missile ends up projecting the poor chap in to outer space. From then on, the only thing he wants to do is get back home.
A total of three episodes make up the game, as players take control of the hapless feline across 2D, side-scrolling environments, in the quest to get home. Travelling from the Cosmos to the undersea world, via the discovery of the other side of the world, players must combat enemies using a variety of different gadgets.
As with the PSX and PC versions, the game includes a gameplay element based on 'hide and seek', which gives the protagonist the ability to blend in with the various backgrounds (he can disguise himself as a lamp, for example, by placing a lampshade on his head). And also like the other two versions, several mini games can be found throughout the game, some of which are compulsory in order to progress to later levels.
The Pink Panther on GBA is essentially a simple gameplay mechanic, brought to life by the style and humour of the classic cartoon. The likelihood that the average Game Boy owner will be old enough to remember it is doubtful, but the game is an amusing, fun little adventure nonetheless.