Shark Tale

 PlayStation 2
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
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  1. Next Level Gaming
    84
    It's not groundbreaking, but it doesn't have to be. Kids don't care about that. They care about having fun playing it, and I think that is where Activision has succeeded here.
  2. PGNx Media
    83
    Instead of a linear adventure, the game mixes different styles of gameplay into unrelated missions and while strange on paper, the gameplay works surprisingly well.
  3. Game Chronicles
    82
    The game’s four different gameplay modes should keep children from losing interest, while the simple controls will provide a great beginning for future gamers.
  5. GameSpot AU
    80
    A great movie adaptation and very good choice for younger gamers -- or anyone who needs a Christmas present for a younger gamer in a hurry.
  6. Cheat Code Central
    80
    All of the gameplay elements seem like they really belong in the game and aren't just mini-games tacked on to pad it up. For a game that's based on underwater cartoon characters, (warning: pun alert) it's got a lot of depth.
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  7. GamingTrend
    77
    The difficulty varies greatly, and might frustrate the game's chosen audience.
  8. XGP Gaming
    75
    DreamWorks' Shark Tale is a Jack-of-all-trades for gameplay, but is a clear master for none of them.
  9. TotalPlayStation
    75
    A worthwhile experience – especially if you’re a parent looking for something for kids that won’t bore you to tears.
  10. Cinescape
    75
    The game works in its purpose of being a great kid’s game based on a strong license. It’s basic, it’s not too hard, but it is all done very well and it’s not a bad game in the slightest.

Awards & Rankings

25
#25 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2004

User Reviews

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User Score
6.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 9
  3. Negative: 2 out of 9
  1. YuraT.
    Jul 14, 2008
    2
    No comment
  2. JosephS.
    Dec 7, 2004
    7
    I picked the game up for my 6 year old nephew after seeing the movie, and what I thought would be just another load of bland, time-killing, I picked the game up for my 6 year old nephew after seeing the movie, and what I thought would be just another load of bland, time-killing, kiddie drivel (see Finding Nemo) actually turned out to be a pretty cool game. The levels are varied and fun enough to play through several times without getting boring too quickly. There are four play styles: Adventure, Dance, Race, and Fight. The Adventure stuff is pretty standard side-scrolling game play, with 3 sub missions for each level. Some of the Adventure missions are pretty boring, but some are very cool. One mission has you sneaking into the shark lair on the sunken ship, and trying to avoid Lino's piranha, which is pretty neat. The dance mode is a lot like DDR, but the visuals are pretty funny to watch. Oscar's dance animations are totally wacky. They look really hilarious and you might get a kick out of just watching somebody else play this mode. The main problem with Dance is that the missions get WAY too hard at the end, and you might find yourself throwing your controller in frustration. The Fight levels remind me of Punch-Out! with fish, but not as fun, since the only strategy seems to be to wait until the shark stops chomping and then take your turn punching. Finally, the Race levels look really cool, but there isn't a lot of challenge to many of them. You mostly end up trying to beat the clock or collect items before you run out of time. One caveat for some if the missions if you have young children - some of the levels are just way too hard for kids, and may even give a serious challenge to some of the adults out there. It feels like they needed to put some more work into tuning the difficulty. Each game mission is linked to the other by cutscenes that show you what's happening in the movie, and if you've seen the film will actually add a little to what you know about the characters. All the VO and music is really very well done, and there are lots of unlock-able items like concept art from the movie. All in all, pretty good for a licensed game. If you or your kids liked the movie, then the game is a very good companion product to the film until the DVD comes out. … Full Review »
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