The
Muppets: On With the Show!
 
Cindy
Chapman (June 13, 2003) - Unlike the previous Muppet
Game Boy games, TDK Mediactive's “The Mupets: On With the Show”
is on a totally different level on nearly every aspect. The graphics are
quite superior to the original Muppets Game Boy release in 2000. This
game also appears to be geared to a little younger age level.
There is
no lengthy storyline introduction. The game is exactly like the title
suggests. Just like the Muppet Show is made up of various scenes that
feature different characters, this game follows the same pattern. Each
“scene” is actually a different mini-game in which you are
required to achieve different goals. All of the scenes are timed skill
games except the Electric Mayhem and the bonus levels. The Great Gonzo
is the only racing level. Once the successful completion of each level
is attained, the harder levels are unlocked. There are three stages: easy,
medium, and hard. The “scenes” increase in difficulty as each
level is completed. The two bonus levels are opened once the hard stage
is completed.
Each “scene”
begins with a brief introduction with the characters explaining (through
text) how the scene takes place. Each scene ends with Statler and Waldorf
heckling from the balcony.

Kermit’s
Banjo Bayou Serenade
Introduction:
Kermit is backstage holding his banjo and talking with four Muppet musician
frogs about the next scene. Miss Piggy is in the balcony looking on. The
four frogs explain that there might be a few extras playing along with
them during Kermit's Banjo Bayou Serenade.
Scene/Game:
Kermit sits in a boat with his banjo while the four other Muppet frogs
are sitting on the banks playing their instruments. Kermit must avoid
the various obstacles in the water such as bobbing penguins and snorkeling
chickens within the allotted time. Occasionally Fozzie will drift by and
Miss Piggy will barrel her way through and will immediately sink Kermit’s
boat if he’s in the way. Kermit can collect “musical notes”
that provide him with spinning power to avoid the chickens and penguins,
but the notes won’t work against Piggy. As the game increases in
difficulty obstacles begin to move much faster and Piggy pops up more
frequently.

The
Swedish Chef Cooking Hour
Introduction:
Rizzo and a rat friend are backstage discussing just how hungry they are
when Kermit introduces the Swedish Chef scene.
Scene/Game:
The Chef stands behind the counter with various ingredients in front of
him like fish, a jack-o-lantern, a boot, a bowling ball, etc. Rizzo and
his friend attempt to steal the various ingredients from the front of
the counter and the Chef must hit the rat with his trusty iron skillet
before they take any food. The two rats are quite comical as they come
up with their own unique way of trying to outsmart the Chef. Things get
really exciting when the Chef picks up a second skillet and can do twice
the hitting. The Chef must also avoid the chickens that pop up on the
side and throw eggs at him. Once the Chef has held off Rizzo and his friend
he shows off the dishes he has prepared with the remaining ingredients.
As the game increases in difficulty the rats and flying eggs speed up.

Muppet
Labs
Introduction:
While Bunsen explains his latest invention, the Mix-Rific Maxi Mixer,
Beaker accidentally dumps trash into the machine. Bunsen orders Beaker
to quickly remove all the bad ingredients while he tries to turn off the
frantic machine.
Scene/Game:
Beaker works to toss the bad items that come across on a conveyer belt.
Along with all the trash though are beakers of green liquid that are required
to go into the machine so Beaker must be careful not to toss those. Although
the player only manipulates Beaker, Bunsen is seen in the background frantically
trying to turn off the machine. Beaker must also try to avoid steam that
comes out of the machine occasionally as it will slow him down and may
cause him to miss some pieces of garbage. Trash comes more frequently
while beakers of green fluid become sparse as the game increases in difficulty.

Gonzo’s
Stunt Race
Introduction:
Gonzo backstage discusses his wild and dangerous commute to the theatre.
Kermit then introduces Gonzo for his next “ridiculous” stunt.
Scene/Game:
This racing game (similar to Nintendo's classic Excitebike) has Gonzo
on a race track trying to hit as many targets as possible. At each increasing
level the targets will change from hay bales to birthday cakes to bowling
pins. Gonzo can also collect bonus points by hitting balloons. However,
Gonzo needs to avoid spikes in the road, brick walls, balls and other
obstacles. Each obstacle hit causes his vehicle to start wearing down
and smoke just a little more. Gonzo can renew the life of his vehicle
by collecting the wrenches along the track to fix it. Chickens sit in
the audience and cheer Gonzo on. The final target at the end of the race
sends Gonzo flying through the air. Obstacles become more frequent and
tricky as the game increases in difficulty.

Jurassic
Pork
Introduction:
Bunsen, Beaker and Kermit are backstage demonstrating Bunsen’s Dino-Door
time machine, when suddenly the machine door opens and a huge dinosaur
pig. Upon seeing Kermit, this oversized hog hijacks him for the next scene.
Scene/Game:
Miss Piggy must battle for her frog. The scene has a renaissance feel
as Kermit is held captive atop a stone ledge. Miss Piggy must use her
karate chop to thwart boulders and dinosaur bones that the dino hog throws
her way. Meanwhile, Piggy must avoid falling debris and the hand mirror
that the dino hog throws. If the hand mirror is caught Miss Piggy becomes
distracted and will be hit. If the dino hog is defeated Piggy finally
gets her man, Kermit. Boulders come faster and more frequently as the
game increases in difficulty.

Electric
Mayhem Band
Introduction:
Janice, Floyd and Animal are backstage getting ready to be introduced
on stage. Floyd asks if they are ready to rock and Animal responds with
"Rock! Rock!" Kermit stands in front of the famous red curtain
and announces that "It's time to give it up and get down with the
Electric Mayhem!"
Game/Scene:
The Electric Mayhem is on stage, noticeably without Zoot. A few extra
chickens and penguins are thrown in for good measure. The band begins
to rock and the player must watch the pattern of rim shots and guitar
strums. The song is played once again and the player must exactly replicate
the pattern of musical riffs. The song gets more challenging as it increases
in tempo and more riffs are added.

Bonus
Games
Bonus
levels are unlocked once all the games/scenes have been completed in easy,
medium and hard stages. Once unlocked, bonus levels can be accessed through
the activities menu.
Fozzie
Bear: Fozzie is back on stage and he’s telling the worst
jokes ever. The player must move Fozzie so that he avoids falling fruit
and other debris. This is similar to the Misslike Command-like parody
first seen in 1996 on Muppets
Inside.
Pigs
In Space: The Swine Trek takes off again and it’s headed
right toward a meteor shower. The player must move this space capsule
around the flying asteroids to avoid being hit.
Although
the bonus games lacked the same excitement and thrill as the other games,
it’s still a nice way to pass the time. The various games aren’t
extremely challenging which makes it nice for the younger players. Most
adults will still prefer Muppet RaceMania
and Muppet Pinball Mayhem. However,
nice graphics and attention to Muppet details makes “The Muppets:
On With the Show!” a pleasing and entertaining game. Be on the lookout
for TDK Mediactive's next Muppet release this fall, "Muppets Party
Cruise" for the PlayStation 2 and the Gameboy Advance.
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