‘Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked’ Video Game Review

The Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked video game is a great accompaniment for any Chipmunks fan that wants to bring the experience of the movie Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked to their living room.

Right from the start the game asks the player a series of questions ranging from your “favorite color” to what would you do if you had a “lake, a tire and a rope.”  Depending on how the player answers the eight questions in the Questionnaire will determine which Chipmunk they will control.  I got Alvin.

If the player doesn’t like the Chipmunk that has been assigned to them, don’t worry!  Under customization a player can change his Chipmunk and choose between Alvin, Theodore, Simon, Eleanor, Jeanette or Brittany.  Once stars have been collected in the game, players can return to customization to purchase new headwear, glasses and outfits for their favorite Chipmunks.

To begin the game there are three choices to choose from: Story, Free Play or Coop.

Story mode seems to closely follow the plot of the movie.  In order to unlock new songs, players must complete a block of songs before moving onto the next section of the game.  The number of stars the player earns depends on how well the player danced to each song.  The more stars, the better.

Free Play allows gamers to skip right to their favorite Chipmunks songs without having to go through the story mode.  The track list includes everything from the 1960s classic “California Dreaming” by the Mamas and the Papas to pop country’s “Life Is A Highway” by Rascal Flats and more!  Players can dance to a remixed version of Flo Rida’s “Right Round,” Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” and even Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.”

In Coop Mode players take turns to show off how good of a dancer they are.  Like Free Play mode, Coop allows the dancer to pick any song they want off the track list.

Pros:

• The controls are surprisingly fluid and responsive.
• Visually, the game is bright and should capture the attention of any young player.
• The audio is great.  I give it four stars!
• For younger players, it seems that you cannot fail the game.  I have let whole songs play through without ever touching the controller and never failed out of the game.  This is a great confidence booster for new users to the Wii system.

Cons:

• None of the songs featured in the film’s motion picture soundtrack are included in the game.
• The Coop mode requires players to switch turns.  This may cause issues with younger players.

Overall, the game is a great accompaniment to any Chipmunk fan that wants to bring the fun of the movie home with them.  The controls are surprisingly responsive, the visuals and audio are great and the game is easy enough for any newcomer to play.

Although the game is no Dance Central, it was never meant to be.  Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked is a great way for the young gamer in your household to enjoy one of their favorite activities while getting a decent amount of exercise in the process.

This game is FAMILY APPROVED!