Disney's Tarzan: Return to the Jungle

"Tarzan returns to the Jungle on your GBA"

Tarzan has made an appearance on almost every console to date, delivering basic and simplistic platforming in jungle environments. If you like average, but decent platformers, then give Tarzan a try.

Gameplay 7.5/10

You start playing the game as young Tarzan, armed with a boomerang, and as you progress through the game, you will then be playing as adult Tarzan, armed with spears. The game, like other platformers, requires you reach the end of a level, helped by your skills, such as jumping, running, climbing vines and swinging on lianas. Basic stuff, but fun. If you've played other Tarzan games, well, the concept is the same. You can collect bananas in the levels and later on, Tarzan will be able to call animals for help, like a hawk and elephant. The game is not really hard, the obstacles are pretty easy to get past, but the game is quite entertaining, although rather short.

The levels aren't all that varied, there are a bunch in the jungle, some in water caverns, some in canyons, others in a temple. While in the first few levels all you have to do is reach the end while riding down tree trunks and jumping over quicksands using lianas, later levels involve a bit more complex gameplay where you'll need to find keys to open gates and free caged monkeys. Linear for the first half, but a bit more focused on exploring for the other half. There's also a level where you'll need to run away from a horde of boars, but a bit more of these types of action levels would have been a nice addition.

Graphics 6.5/10

Standard. I know the Gameboy Advance is more powerful than this. The backgrounds are nice, but on-screen characters are too small and the environments are a tad too dull. The game does feature some nice FMVs though.

Music 7/10

The music is fine, sounds too. The music fits well with the jungle theme. Some voice samples would have been appreciated though.

Overall 7/10

Good platform game. Pretty short, but fun. If you like Tarzan and platformers, then you'll like this. It's pure basic platforming, and doesn't involve any thinking so kids will surely like it while it lasts.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 01/19/05, Updated 02/05/05