Amazing Island

 GameCube
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: Aug 25, 2004
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 22
  3. Negative: 7 out of 22
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  1. GamePro
    80
    The main problem with Amazing Island is that in Story mode, there's too much downtime in between courses. Still, it's good to see a game that celebrates creation rather than destruction and puts playful competition above vomitous gore. [Sept 2004, p.85]
  2. TotalGames.net
    74
    Despite the fantastic Monster Editing mode and all the game's charm, it's not the exactly the height of originality and can be completed way too easily. Still, whilst the game may not be amazing, it's pretty darn good.
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Game Informer
    73
    The creatures you make aren't always what you mean to, some of the minigames are beyond tedious, the graphics are a little primary color-happy, and the rewards (outside of new stuff for your monsters) are surprisingly uninspired. [Sept 2004, p.112]
  5. GameZone
    71
    The game is creation driven and making new goofy monsters will appeal to most and the sport like games will please those parents who want a less violent title for their young children.
  6. Nintendojo
    70
    Sorely lacking some solid gameplay elements. Although the game is targeted at a younger audience, it’s still a shame to see so much of the game’s potential get lost in a sea of only a handful of mini-games.
  7. Next Level Gaming
    70
    Graphics are not very great though, and coming from Sega I was very disappointed. Also I wish that you could have been able to do more as well in terms of gameplay.
  8. Weekly Famitsu
    68
    7 / 7 / 7 / 6 - 27 [Vol 787]
    All this publication's reviews
  9. IGN
    67
    Amazing Island could have used a little more depth. True, it’s technically a kid’s game, but even younger gamers will expect a little more.
  10. GameSpot
    65
    Sega is gunning for the Pokemon/Yu-Gi-Oh! set with Amazing Island, but the game lacks the gameplay depth that makes Pokemon a guilty pleasure for older gamers and the strong branding that makes Yu-Gi-Oh! so ubiquitous with the lunchbox-and-backpack crowd.
  11. NintendoWorldReport
    65
    A tale of two games. One is a set of button-smashing mini-games with questionable entertainment value. The other is one of the greatest creative tools ever released for consoles. The problem is, you have to play a lot of the former to really experience the latter.
  12. Nintendo Insider
    65
    Amazing Island has good graphics and sound, but the gameplay, with its mini-games, is too repetitive... Of course, the lack of multiplayer hurts this game the most.
  13. Kombo
    65
    The game would be a lot better if there was a wider variety of mini-games and a few four player battle mini-games. However, as it is, there are 30 mini-games and only about 15 are genuinely unique.
  14. GMR Magazine
    60
    While the monster creation is excellent, the minigames feel more rudimentary. [Sept 2004, p.93]
    All this publication's reviews
  15. Nintendo Power
    60
    Gameplay is tuned for gamers of all skill levels. [Oct 2004, p.124]
    All this publication's reviews
  16. Cheat Code Central
    50
    Monster making is the fundamental novelty attributed to Amazing Island. Creating monsters of your own design is fun but the gameplay is not up to the challenge of eclipsing this designing process.
    All this publication's reviews
  17. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    47
    Remind me - what exactly is it about frantic, feverish, and somewhat random button-pressing that's...fun? 'Cause these minigames just aren't. [Oct 2004, p.114]
    All this publication's reviews
  18. Play Magazine
    42
    I kept waiting for a real adventure to unfold, but it never materialized. [Sept 2004, p.73]
    All this publication's reviews
  19. Edge Magazine
    40
    It’s a promising set-up, but one that’s flawed at nearly every level... You’re left with the overwhelming sensation of a Christmas present with no batteries to go in it. [Nov 2004, p.111]
    All this publication's reviews
  20. G4 TV
    40
    Amazing Island is the sort of game that lies tantalizingly close to the edge of coolness, yet remains firmly on the side of mediocrity.
  21. Game Revolution
    33
    Unfortunately, the poorly designed mini-games and boring gameplay takes most of the joy out of creation, effectively dropping this fantasy land into the shallow end of the kiddie pool.
  22. Gaming Age
    33
    It's a cute game, with monsters that would make excellent stuffed animals, but the execution is too childlike for adults and not intuitive enough for children.
  23. NTSC-uk
    20
    Feels like the product of a completely different publisher; the sort of output you would expect from a desperate company, eager to cash in on current gaming trends. For now, Amazing Island remains a failed experiment.

Awards & Rankings

71
#71 Best GameCube Game of 2004
45
#45 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2004
39
#39 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2004

User Reviews

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User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 10
  3. Negative: 2 out of 10
  1. meeeeeeeeeeeee
    Aug 22, 2021
    10
    I was on track to enter art school and I was randomly bored and found this game that seemed sort of interesting and was made by sega. I likedI was on track to enter art school and I was randomly bored and found this game that seemed sort of interesting and was made by sega. I liked the creative aspect and I figured Sega has made some bad games but nothing too unbearable. How wrong I was to play and ever lay eyes on this abomination of a game. Creativity is the devil. I hate art. My life has not been the same since I played this game. I'm loosing hair, sleep, blood, and copies of PvZ from my collection. I am paranoid and my sleep paralysis demons are more touchy than ever. I think I may have a new form of cancer. If i had to guess what kind of cancer I would have to say ... life. I have life cancer. End me now. i dropped out of art school. I now work at verizon even tho I use at&t as my personal service. I uised to hate skittles. Now I can't stop watching cursed skittles commercials on youtube for hours on end. What has my life become. I hate this game.… Full Review »
  2. rhaynes7
    Dec 17, 2013
    4
    I admit that when I was a teenager, I saw this ad for a game that was like Mario Party and Pokemon combined, I was curious. I laid down theI admit that when I was a teenager, I saw this ad for a game that was like Mario Party and Pokemon combined, I was curious. I laid down the money to purchase this game, and even today, I have regrets.

    It's full of raging, senseless button mashing. This gets the adrenaline pumping for about five minutes, and then you begin wondering if there is ever an end in sight. I have a theory that games that have a lot of button mashing correlates to greater frustration. You get all riled up because you're hitting a button all the time, but then you fail, and it's exasperating cause all you're doing is jamming a button.

    The difficulty also spikes towards the end, making this issue even worse. Then you wonder if you need to create more monsters, but there isn't much that specially defines them. They come in all shapes and sizes, and you can adjust them to all sorts of hideous shapes for some mild amusement, but otherwise, it's completely forgettable.

    At the end of the day, I simply dislike this game, and I still regret buying it. No matter how much I try redeeming it.    … Full Review »
  3. AndrewT.
    Jul 29, 2007
    10
    It's fun to make monsters!
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