Phineas and Ferb (video game)
Encyclopedia
Phineas and Ferb is an action
platform
video game published by Disney Interactive Studios about the animated television series of the same name
for the Nintendo DS
. The game was released in North America
on February 3, 2009, while its United Kingdom release was on March 23. The Australian release came later on September 23, 2009. The game is the first Phineas and Ferb video game and the first to be released for the DS.
The game's basic plot is similar to the show, as the player controls Phineas Flynn
and his stepbrother Ferb Fletcher as they take part in several schemes and adventures for their summer vacation. The two as well attempt to avoid their sister Candace, who is persistent in trying to "bust" them. Mini games are scattered throughout the game, building up the side foundation.
The game apparently was in no way affiliated with the creators of the show itself, Dan Povenmire
and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh. The two had little to no information on it until its release.
characters, stepbrothers Phineas and Ferb, and go to several different locations. Throughout the game, the two search and collect for missing gadgets and other parts to build machines, devices, and rides. The player is able to switch between the two stepbrothers, doing so by pressing the "L" button.
The game features seven levels, along with several mini games, all of which are essential to continuing on through the level. Among the mini games include "Welding," "Wind Blaster," and "You're so busted!" As the player collects the essential tools and objects, they must avoid the sister, Candace, who wants to tattle on the brothers to their mother. Candace peeks through the fence in the top screen, while a bar above her notes how close she is to "busting" them via percentage. This is not, however, seen while the player is constructing the device. She as well is unable to "bust" them if the player enters X, Y, L, R, followed by select and is designated by a chime. Phineas and Ferb hide from her to avoid getting busted by jumping on the other's shoulders. This also allows them to interact with other, normally unavailable objects.
The controls of the game are simple, basic keys normal for most DS games. To move, the player uses the control pad, while the "A" and "B" buttons are used to jump and run. The game's final segment takes place on a track where the boys race on their roller coaster. This particular scenario allows for a turbo boost by use of the "R" button. The game as well features an in-between mini game, featuring Perry the Platypus fighting and foiling the evil plans of Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz, an evil mad scientist
.
, where his mother encouraged him to go out and do projects. He met and befriended Marsh while working on The Simpsons
, later moving on with him to work on Rocko's Modern Life
, where they initially created the series. Years later, the two pitched it and got it on Disney Channel
.
The game itself was published by Disney Interactive Studios. Altron
, a Japan
ese private game developer and publisher, developed the game. The game had no actual connection with the show creators; Povenmire knew almost nothing about the game until he was given it himself. Phineas and Ferb makes use of a program known as DGamer
, which allows the player to connect to an online community via the Nintendo Wi-Fi
connection. This was a large part of marketing the game during release and apparently was a key part to development.
. The United Kingdom release was on March 27, 2009. Australia
released it on September 23, 2009. In North America, the game was rated by the ESRB "E" with a content warning of "Comic Mischief."
The games reviews have been generally positive. GameRankings averages a 76.67% approval ratings, based on a cast of ratings. Among them include eight out of ten and seventy-eight out of one hundred. GameTrailers
gives it a 1.0 due to the lack of actual reviews, though the European trailer ranks an average of 4.1. It as well puts it as number 5,420 out of the total games of 8,005, while it is 860 out of the total 932 of DS games. GameFly
ranks it a 6.6 based on 166 ratings.
Chad Sapieha states in his review on Common Sense Media that the game is "fine entertainment for elementary school kids." He as well states the interaction is entertaining. He does, however, say that the rides that take a great amount of time to construct are very anticlimactic and the weakest part of the game, as well as the controls being stiff. Even so, however, he states it is "undeniably an above-average interactive incarnation of a kids cartoon."
on September 14, 2010, called Phineas and Ferb: Ride Again
. A video game based on the TV movie
was released August 2, 2011 for DS, Wii
, and PlayStation 3
.
Action game
Action game is a video game genre that emphasizes physical challenges, including hand–eye coordination and reaction-time. The genre includes diverse subgenres such as fighting games, shooter games, and platform games, which are widely considered the most important action games, though some...
platform
Platform game
A platform game is a video game characterized by requiring the player to jump to and from suspended platforms or over obstacles . It must be possible to control these jumps and to fall from platforms or miss jumps...
video game published by Disney Interactive Studios about the animated television series of the same name
Phineas and Ferb
Phineas and Ferb is an American animated television comedy series. Originally broadcast as a preview on August 17, 2007, on Disney Channel, the series follows Phineas Flynn and his English stepbrother Ferb Fletcher on summer vacation. Every day the boys embark on some grand new project, which...
for the Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
. The game was released in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
on February 3, 2009, while its United Kingdom release was on March 23. The Australian release came later on September 23, 2009. The game is the first Phineas and Ferb video game and the first to be released for the DS.
The game's basic plot is similar to the show, as the player controls Phineas Flynn
Phineas Flynn
Phineas Flynn is the main protagonist of the animated television series Phineas and Ferb. Voiced by Vincent Martella and created and designed by Dan Povenmire, Phineas first appeared along with the rest of the series' main characters in the pilot episode "Rollercoaster." Phineas, along with his...
and his stepbrother Ferb Fletcher as they take part in several schemes and adventures for their summer vacation. The two as well attempt to avoid their sister Candace, who is persistent in trying to "bust" them. Mini games are scattered throughout the game, building up the side foundation.
The game apparently was in no way affiliated with the creators of the show itself, Dan Povenmire
Dan Povenmire
Daniel Kingsley "Dan" Povenmire is an American television director, writer, producer, storyboard artist, and actor associated with several animated television series, best known as the co-creator of the Disney animated series Phineas and Ferb in which he also voices the show's villain, Heinz...
and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh. The two had little to no information on it until its release.
Gameplay
The game allows the player to control the titularTitle role
The title role in the performing arts is the performance part that gives the title to the piece, as in Aida, Giselle, Michael Collins or Othello. The actor, singer or dancer who performs that part is also said to have the title role....
characters, stepbrothers Phineas and Ferb, and go to several different locations. Throughout the game, the two search and collect for missing gadgets and other parts to build machines, devices, and rides. The player is able to switch between the two stepbrothers, doing so by pressing the "L" button.
The game features seven levels, along with several mini games, all of which are essential to continuing on through the level. Among the mini games include "Welding," "Wind Blaster," and "You're so busted!" As the player collects the essential tools and objects, they must avoid the sister, Candace, who wants to tattle on the brothers to their mother. Candace peeks through the fence in the top screen, while a bar above her notes how close she is to "busting" them via percentage. This is not, however, seen while the player is constructing the device. She as well is unable to "bust" them if the player enters X, Y, L, R, followed by select and is designated by a chime. Phineas and Ferb hide from her to avoid getting busted by jumping on the other's shoulders. This also allows them to interact with other, normally unavailable objects.
The controls of the game are simple, basic keys normal for most DS games. To move, the player uses the control pad, while the "A" and "B" buttons are used to jump and run. The game's final segment takes place on a track where the boys race on their roller coaster. This particular scenario allows for a turbo boost by use of the "R" button. The game as well features an in-between mini game, featuring Perry the Platypus fighting and foiling the evil plans of Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz, an evil mad scientist
Mad scientist
A mad scientist is a stock character of popular fiction, specifically science fiction. The mad scientist may be villainous or antagonistic, benign or neutral, and whether insane, eccentric, or simply bumbling, mad scientists often work with fictional technology in order to forward their schemes, if...
.
Plot
The game's each, individual seven levels are based on an episode of the television series. The first stage of the game consists of Phineas and Ferb beginning their plans to destroy and construct a giant roller coaster. Phineas primarily is the one in his duo to actually find and gather the tools and objects necessary for it, while Ferb primarily is used to actually utilize each device. The two need to avoid their sister, Candace, as she is persistent in her desire to bust them and get them in trouble with their mom. Once every part in the needed list is found, the two construct the devices in the form of little puzzles which end with the creation of roller coaster tracks and engines. Once everything has been completed, the two race in the roller coaster down the tracks to compete. Throughout their way, they as well build other devices, from a water slide to a winter wonderland, and occasionally bump into the neighborhood bully, Buford. After constructing all 5 rides in the game, Candace prepares her ultimate busting attack, after which Phineas remarks "Hey, where's Perry?" You suddenly find yourself playing as Perry the Platypus fighting in Doofenshmirtz Evil Inc, the player using the Touch Screen to help Perry fight Doof. After Perry's final attack, the resulting explosion obliterates all the rides Phineas and Ferb have made throughout the game, right as Candace drags her Mom into the backyard. Phineas and Ferb, not knowing what just happened, build a time machine and send themselves back to before the rides were destroyed.Development
The game was inspired by the top-rated animated series Phineas and Ferb, which was created by Dan Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh. The series was inspired by Povenmire's youth growing up in Mobile, AlabamaMobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
, where his mother encouraged him to go out and do projects. He met and befriended Marsh while working on The Simpsons
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
, later moving on with him to work on Rocko's Modern Life
Rocko's Modern Life
Rocko's Modern Life is an animated series created by Joe Murray. The show aired for four seasons between 1993 and 1996 on Nickelodeon. Rocko's Modern Life is based around the surreal, parodic adventures of an anthropomorphic wallaby named Rocko, and his life in the city of O-Town...
, where they initially created the series. Years later, the two pitched it and got it on Disney Channel
Disney Channel
Disney Channel is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. It is under the direction of Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney. The channel's headquarters is located on West Alameda Ave. in...
.
The game itself was published by Disney Interactive Studios. Altron
Altron
Altron is a Japanese video game developer and publisher located in: Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan. It was found in: 1983...
, a Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese private game developer and publisher, developed the game. The game had no actual connection with the show creators; Povenmire knew almost nothing about the game until he was given it himself. Phineas and Ferb makes use of a program known as DGamer
DGamer
DGamer was an online game and social network service developed by Disney for use with Nintendo DS games. DGamer is accessible via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection or computer via the DGamer Channel on Disney.com...
, which allows the player to connect to an online community via the Nintendo Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
connection. This was a large part of marketing the game during release and apparently was a key part to development.
Release and reception
The game was released on February 3, 2009, in North AmericaNorth America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. The United Kingdom release was on March 27, 2009. Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
released it on September 23, 2009. In North America, the game was rated by the ESRB "E" with a content warning of "Comic Mischief."
The games reviews have been generally positive. GameRankings averages a 76.67% approval ratings, based on a cast of ratings. Among them include eight out of ten and seventy-eight out of one hundred. GameTrailers
GameTrailers
GameTrailers is a media website that specializes in video game related content. It provides free access to original programming , game trailers and recorded game play. Along with standard definition , many of the video clips are offered in a higher resolution .Users can upload videos, create...
gives it a 1.0 due to the lack of actual reviews, though the European trailer ranks an average of 4.1. It as well puts it as number 5,420 out of the total games of 8,005, while it is 860 out of the total 932 of DS games. GameFly
GameFly
GameFly is an American online video game rental subscription service that specializes in providing games for game consoles and handheld game consoles....
ranks it a 6.6 based on 166 ratings.
Chad Sapieha states in his review on Common Sense Media that the game is "fine entertainment for elementary school kids." He as well states the interaction is entertaining. He does, however, say that the rides that take a great amount of time to construct are very anticlimactic and the weakest part of the game, as well as the controls being stiff. Even so, however, he states it is "undeniably an above-average interactive incarnation of a kids cartoon."
Sequel
The second Phineas and Ferb video game was released on the Nintendo DSNintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
on September 14, 2010, called Phineas and Ferb: Ride Again
Phineas and Ferb: Ride Again
Phineas and Ferb: Ride Again is an action platformer based on the television series Phineas and Ferb and a sequel of the game, Phineas and Ferb, developed by Altron and published by Disney Interactive Studios. It was released in North America on September 14, 2010, and later in PAL regions on April...
. A video game based on the TV movie
Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension (video game)
Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension has received average reviews. The game's visual design has been praised, with GamePro stating that the "environments [are] gorgeous" and GameSpot saying that "the entire game faithfully captures the whimsical look of the cartoon", but it has been...
was released August 2, 2011 for DS, Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
, and PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
.