Fuzion Frenzy

"Party Game Madness!"

Fuzion Frenzy was the first original Xbox game designed for multiplayer. Sure, it features a single player mode as well, but it wasn't nearly as good as playing with anywhere from 1-3 friends. However, it was the first party game out for the Xbox, and considering the new controller, graphics, and capabilities of a new system, the creators pulled it off quite well.

The gameplay differs from game to game, due to the assorted mini-games. However, there is a common theme to them, and that is beating your opponents. Whether it's gathering up coins while trying to keep from being sucked into a whirlpool, or trying to smash more bugs than your opponents with oversized hammers, or trying to light the most fireworks as the clock ticks down, there's never a dull moment.

Okay, so I lied, there are some dull moments. Many of the games are extremely similar. While it's advertised to have more than 60 games, if you take out all the ones that are similar to others, it's closer to 10-20. However, there are some small rule changes, so despite the similar gameplay, it's still a fairly different experience. In the "campaign", there are 5 areas. Each area has 3 levels, after which, you fight in a "frenzy." The goal in the frenzies is to take the most orbs to the assorted "gathering points." The person with the most orbs total after all 5 areas wins.

The graphics in this game are pretty good. Considering how much action is happening on-screen at once, the frame-rate is excellent and the characters, enviroment, and collectables look good. There aren't any real graphical glitches as far as I could see (and I spent a good 20 hours playing this game total). However, one complaint is that sometimes there is TOO much action on-screen at once. This can cause you to lose site of your character, which can cause you to lose precious seconds. However, this is to be expected in this kind of game, and only in a few mini-games does it because a major factor.

The audio in this game is superb. The music, though it can get a repetitive after a while, is catchy and up-beat. At the start of each game, an announcer comes on with "3, 2, 1, GO!!!), which gives it a tone of peppiness. The characters don't say anything beyond a little trash talk at the end of each round, but this a good thing, because what would they say in the middle of a giant-bug smashing contest? They do grunt at time to time, but that's makes sense.

The controls in this game, like the actual gameplay, varies from game to game. However, with the exception of maybe 2-3 games, they all are brilliantly done and make a lot of sense. Each game has the same basic controls, left thumbstick is move, right thumbstick doesn't really do anything, and neither do the triggers most of the time. They kept the controls basic for smaller children, and the results are excellent.

The replayibility in this game, with all due respect, sucks. If it had Xbox Live compatibility, a few more games, and a MUCH harder AI, this would be a game I'd still be playing. However, it has none of these things, and the most fun with it is had when you're playing with friends. I pull this out occationally, if only because I'm extremely bored, and I can't get on the Xbox 360.

All in all, this is a game that could've been so much better with a few tweaks, and a bit more time spent on it. Xbox Live would've helped as well, but alas, it wasn't put on the Xbox at the launch of this game. I highly reccomend Fuzion Frenzy's younger brother, Fuzion Frenzy 2, if you have the cash to spend. If not, it's worth picking this game up for a few hours of enjoyment, either with "the guys", or your own family.

Gameplay - 8/10
Graphics - 7/10
Audio - 7/10
Controls - 8/10
Replayibility - 4/10
Overall - 6/10

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 09/04/07

Game Release: Fuzion Frenzy (US, 11/14/01)