“Rugrats: Search for Reptar” was officially released in 1998 (same year The Mask of Zorro came out) on PlayStation. it received mixed reviews and was a commercial hit. Now defunct video game publisher, THQ published more Rugrats games including “Rugrats in Paris” & “Royal Ransom.” In 2024, the Rugrats made their return in video games in their most recent entry, “Adventures in Gameland.” Rugrats are coming back in theaters for a future movie. It’s gonna be a live-action animated hybrid like “Space Jam.” I’m setting my expectations super low. Why! Because I think Tommy and his pals will be ugly like the entire cast of Tom Hooper’s Razzie winning kitty excrement, “Cats.”
It doesn’t matter if SPOILERS are listed. We ‘90s Babies are fully aware of the Rugrats’ existence.
Full & Empty Aspects
Full: Voice Actors from the show reprise their roles and they all did a decent job for their respective performances.
Graphics at the time were solid recreating the show on PlayStation.
Random Thoughts
- Although a hypocritical pain in the rear towards Tommy and his posse, Angelica’s Ike or my favorite cartoon characters growing up. She’s funny as heck.
- I haven’t played a Rugrats game since “Royal Ransom.” I moved on from the series. A darn shame Nickelodeon screwed up Rugrats. A full CGI reboot really felt unnecessary. I didn’t ask for it. Oh how the mighty have fallen!
Fun Fact: Search for Reptar came out the exact same year as The Rugrats Movie. Thanks to hype surrounding the first movie, the game became a bestseller. A solid introduction for newcomers to watch Rugrats. Get to know the characters before seeing their first movie.
Mark Mothersbaugh orchestrated the soundtrack.
Gameplay/Mechanics
- Presented as a third-person platformer, You play as Tommy and other characters in various levels navigating their way through obstacles.
- The Plot focuses on Tommy and his posse searching for twelve missing puzzle pieces of Reptar. Completing any level or collecting fifteen Reptar bars grants you a puzzle piece.
- Grabbing a cookie restores your health. Obviously Angelica’s favorite food.
- Pick up and toss items at enemies.
- The Pickles Home serves as the main hub. You can explore the place. A certain object like Grandpa’s Lou’s dentures triggers a level.
- Whenever you complete a level, a Bonus Level occasionally pops up.
Levels are based on episodes (minus Cookie Race & Egg Hunt) from early seasons. Which one’s your favorite?
- Chuckie Loses His Glasses
- Circus Angelicus
- Grandpa’s Teeth
- Ice Cream Mountain
- Incident on Aisle Seven
- Let There Be Light
- Mirrorland
- No More Cookies
- Reptar 2010
- The Gold Rush
- The Mysterious Mr. Friend
- The Seven Voyages of Cynthia
- Touchdown Tommy
- Toy Palace
- Visitors from Outer Space (my favorite)
Empty: The game can be completed in one hour. Not enough for a full price game. Could’ve added more levels based on further episodes like “The Bank Trick,” “Susie vs. Angelica,” “Tricycle Thief,” “Destination Moon” & “Regarding Stuie.” It would’ve been hilarious if you play as Stu acting like a baby.
Turning the camera feels stiff.
Other characters such as Susie, Chaz, Drew, Charlotte, Betty & Howard are absent.
When I was a kid, it was sometimes hard to play. Now that I’m older, it’s easy regardless on any difficulty level.
Collecting all twelve puzzle pieces gives you the opportunity to play as Reptar going on a destructive rampage. What does he do at the end? Perform a dance number. Really? After everything I went through. No giant monster to duke it out? Gonna have to Double Down Points for wasting my time gathering all twelve puzzle pieces for nothing.
The Final Verdict: D, FOR DUMB BABIES!
Rugrats: Search for Reptar isn’t a good video game adaptation. When I was a kid, I enjoyed it. Nowadays, it doesn’t hold up. If you wanna introduce your kids to the Rugrats, watch all episodes and their movie trilogy on Paramount Plus. Skip the CGI TV show. It’s one stinky diaper.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 