Games for the younger gamer, that's 'good' games, seem to be a far cry on Microsoft's Xbox 360. Other than the likes of Banjo-Kazooie and Viva Pinata from Rare, we've yet to see any other stand out titles for kids, especially in the first-party space.

Finding 'quality' titles and suitable games for that younger gamer is most certainly a challenge no doubt for most parents of the younger gaming audience on Xbox 360. Mostly, we have to rely on those movie tie-ins we've come to know, love and hate. Fortunately the animated kids films seem to make somewhat of a better transition to video game form than most typical action blockbuster flicks.

Whilst Disney's G-Force is currently doing the rounds down at your local cinema, Disney and Eurocom Developers LTD have certainly wasted no time in getting the gaming adaptation out the cage door.

Does this latest title prove to be kids gaming-entertainment at its peak, or is this one Guinea Pig that should have stayed caged up?

Gameplay:

You play as Darwin, G-Force's team-leader. G-Force just so happens to be a highly-skilled team of... Guinea Pigs, who using the latest and smallest high-tech gadgetry must protect us from a new threat, a threat of dangerous and deadly home appliances gone mad.

G-Force is essentially your typical action-platformer, offering up an assortment of deadly firearms, a highly useful electric whip for close quarters combat, and of course no rodent would be complete without his trust jet pack - useful for speeding along the floor to your objective, much, much quicker, or send Darwin soaring into the air to reach high vents or ledges.

Along the way Darwin will do battle with volatile toasters, deadly irons and scorching fire extinguishers to name just a few, all the while traversing these large environments (by his standards). More not than often some areas are even too small for the tubby actioner, which is where Mooch comes in, whom you can control on the fly (he's a Commando housefly...) to navigate through small air-ducts, slow-down time and solve the occasional puzzle, stun an enemy or hit a switch in order for Darwin to proceed.

Scattered throughout the levels are kiosks, interacting with a kiosk opens up essentially a gadget shop to spend your cash at, available here are weapon upgrades, ammo, health and even a map for the current level that if purchased will show all the locations of the collectible data disks on the in-game map. Darwin can collect cash or other items such as health and ammo by blasting open boxes with his electrified whip. Some weapons will be obtained through the progression of the story, such as the Magnetic Grapple (think bionic Commando) which enables Darwin to soar through the air by being magnetised to specific objects to quickly get to his objective.

The only niggles with G-Force really is weapon slots and some overbearing combat with the larger appliances. The use of jumping and the jetpack is restricted to the A button, which leaves three face button to switch between weapons. The Magnetic Grapple takes up a weapon slot, and you may need to shoot whilst hanging from time to time... as well as juggle your weapons between the slots, it's not really an issue but for a game targeted at kids this can feel a bit cumbersome at times when you need to perform a specific action quickly such as shooting an enemy. The only other gripe comes in the ammunition, the electrified whip is excellent for close combat, although some enemies require a more tactical approach and should be shot at from a distance as to avoid their attacks; which proves a pain if you just so happen to have shot your last bullet. This means you'll be flying around for a nearby kiosk or some boxes to smash up to salvage some ammo, of which there is usually plenty of boxes, just not so much ammo.

G-Force regularly features checkpoints, although annoyingly these do not auto save your progress. Instead you will get a prompt to save the game at the end of a level. You will get the prompt mid-mission as well, although maybe it's just my own forgetfulness - I now just hit Start and select Save Last Checkpoint each time I hit one now. Typically if I hit a checkpoint I would normally expect that to save automatically. It is annoying to come back the next day and realise the mistake and have to re-playthrough a chunk of level again. If you can put these slightly annoying issues aside, and even if you can't, G-Force is still the best platformer on the Xbox 360.

Graphics:

The G-Force rodents and large environments (well, for them anyway) are certainly well detailed and polished. The game's visuals most certainly stand out, and that's without the use of the included 3D glasses that come bundled with the game. Sadly we can't comment on the rather gimmicky but unique 3D aspect of the game as our review copy did not include the 3D glasses.

Audio:

The audio along with the game's strong visuals certainly mesh well together, from the chit-chatter over Darwin's headset which actively progresses the story during gameplay as well as in the cutscenes. Not that the story much makes sense mind, perhaps seeing the film may help in this regard, but alas you're talking about a covert team of Guinea Pigs doing battle with transforming household appliances, so feel free to open your mind (try harder).

Longevity:

Naturally G-Force is a game geared towards the younger gamer. While some of the puzzles may ignite some frustration and repetition from time to time, there's just something amusing about seeing a Guinea Pig rocket through the air to do battle with the latest electronic appliances that should keep gamers coming back until completion. For the rest of us, the combat aspect will certainly feel familiar to the typical third-person action shooter so should you feel the urge to toast some toasters, then you will feel right at home.

Overall:

G-Force, whilst not without its flaws is a welcome and much needed addition to the Xbox 360 gaming library. We could certainly do with more kids games on the console that are as polished and as enjoyable as G-Force has proven to be. If you've been looking for a game for the younger gamer of the household to spend some time with, then this furry adventure is currently sitting at the top of the pile.