Introduction
Tad the Lost Explorer: Craziest and Madness Edition released on July 7, 2023 on the Nintendo Switch eShop. Gammera Nest developed this Tad game. Selecta Play published this game. On behalf of the Handheld Gaming Community I would like to thank the publisher for the review code.
Overview
This game is based on a Spanish computer animated movie by the same name. I had never heard of the movie before. Tad is a clumsy archeologist, and you play as Tad, his girlfriend Sara Lavrof or Momia the mummy on their adventures to find the emerald tablet and save his friends.
Gameplay
Tad the Lost Explorer is a 2.5D adventure platformer where you have to navigate through different levels and solve puzzles to clear objectives. The environments that you play through will consist of water, indoors, outdoors. In each level you have things that you collect. You will collect rubber chickens for ammo. There are usually two secrets in each stage, and these will consist of different relics. There are also brushes you can collect throughout the level.
Different stages will have you playing as different characters. So far I have played as Tad, Sara, and Momia. They all feel a little different and control a bit different too. My least favorite character to play as is Tad. His controls feel very loose, and laggy. Sara on the other hand controls a lot better, but has no projectiles to attack enemies. Momia controls well. His stealth ability is very interesting. The stealth ability protects you by turning him into a statue. This ability allows you to let enemies pass you by instead of killing you.
Graphics/Performance
This game looks good, though more so the levels than the characters. The characters look okay, but lack as much detail as the levels. In the beginning you will probably notice that the framerate seems low. I am not sure if I just got used to the low framerate, or if it leveled out after the first couple of levels.
Story
In this game Tad is after the emerald tablet, and also to save his friends. Tad the Lost Explorer tells you more and more of the story through comic panels in between levels. Having not seen any of the movies, I am not sure if this game revisits a plot from one of those.
Sound
The audio in Tad the Lost Explorer sounds well done. The levels have fittingly atmospheric sounds. The sound effects are pretty minimal. None of the characters’ sound effects stood out to me except Momia. He has a moan that he lets out everytime he jumps. In levels like Louve where you will have to cross the patio, this will become grating.
Value
Tad The Lost Explorer strikes me as polished and complete. It is fun and engaging. The one thing that I think the publishers got wrong is the price. It is a good game, but I think I would price it at 24.99 rather than 39.99. I have never seen any of the movies starring Tad and company, but I don’t think that they were big in the USA. The publisher has priced this game as if they are publishing a beloved Disney or Dreamworks licensed property. Maybe if you are more familiar with the Tad series you will drop the money without a second thought. Either way if you like the looks of this game you will have a good time playing it.
Conclusion
When I picked up Tad the Lost Explorer, I knew nothing about Tad or any of his companions. I found Tad charming in a Inspector Gadget kind of way. The controls are a little loose at first. As the game progresses you adapt. I found the graphics detailed and pleasant to look at. The sound was okay, but can be a bit grating depending on your character. Tad the Lost Explorer: Craziest and Madness Edition will provide you hours of fun platforming gameplay. If you are familiar with the Tad series then you will enjoy the game even more. You can purchase Tad the Lost Explorer: Craziest and Madness Edition on the Nintendo eshop for $39.99. On behalf of the Handheld Gaming Community, I would like to thank Gammera Nest for the review code.
