The problem these days with a game based upon a movie license is most developers forget about what gamers want out of such a product. They feel that slapping together a basic platformer around the characters and throwing in a few happy movie quotes is gangbusters. However, I'm happy to report that's not the case with Madagascar, the latest effort from Activision and the development team at Toys For Bob (the guys that did the enjoyable Disney's Extreme Skate Adventure a while back). It's got enough gusto to make itself a fulfilling game for kids, even if it doesn't really offer that much for the older crowd.

The game revolves around a plot similar to that of the Dreamworks Animation movie of the same name. It focuses on four zoo animals- the egotistical Alex the Lion, the happy-go-lucky Marty the Zebra, the attitude-laden Olivia the Hippo, and the overanxious Melman the Giraffe. They're enjoying their day to day antics at the zoo, performing for the crowds and lapping up the free food. But then one day, Marty comes across some "rogue" penguins who are actually on a mission to break free of the zoo's restraints to escape to the wild, and he soon makes his own escape, prompting his friends to go after him. Eventually, they end up on the island of Madagascar, and their adventure continues to unfold with new enemies and challenges aplenty.

One could just slap together a basic platformer, but Toys For Bob tried harder, and for that, they have put a smile on my face. Madagascar uses all four of these characters in the game, each with their own unique talents and moves that come in handy in each area. Olivia can bowl over large objects and break through walls, Alex's double jump allows him to reach higher areas, and even nervous Melman comes in handy with a helicopter spin move and being able to fling lemurs to higher ledges. There are also some segments where you take control of one of the devious penguins as they outrun humans and overtake a vessel to get them to Antarctica.

The gameplay is engaging enough, although it operates around a pretty basic by the numbers design. It starts out in New York and then shifts to tropical waters, but the level layout doesn't really break out of the norm. The animation's all right and the frame rate keeps up pretty steadily, but there's nothing that screams real innovation here. Also, it's worth noting that the game's characters are not voiced by the actors from the film, such as Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, and David Schwimmer. Instead, sound-a-likes have been brought in, and it's very noticeable that they're sound-a-likes. Still, they're decent, and they're backed up by decent music and sound effects.

The main problem with Madagascar is that it's really too easy for experienced gamers. Toys For Bob more than likely built the game with a kid audience in mind, and even the stealth sequences are a snap to get through. There are some fun mini games that can be unlocked including some mini golf, shuffleboard, and a Dance Dance Revolution clone that's fitting to the tropical tone of the game, but they failed to hold my interest for very long.

Oh, well, at least it's likeable and has something more to offer than most of the licensed crud on the store shelves, and that aspect alone makes Madagascar a respectable gaming effort. Toys For Bob may not have gone all out in terms of design and challenge, but they definitely hit their target audience. The gameplay is fitting, the mini games are enjoyable, and the focus on fun is never lost. Plus, any game that has devious penguins just deserves a thumb up. Evil penguins rock. That's just the Monty Python in me.