Summary
The wonderful world and characters ofDr. Seusshave been adapted into a plethora of TV shows and movies, but there have even been a few video games that have popped up over the years that are set in this universe. Dr. Seuss' works areprimarily tailored towards childrenas educational material, but they include so many whacky and zany characters that it makes them engaging for just about anyone, and while there’s only been a handful of games based on his books, some of them are real standouts that are worth returning to.
Whether it’s the magical adventures ofThe Cat in the Hat, or the Grinch’s attempts to ruin yet another Christmas, players can experience these stories firsthand in these games. There are, however, a few that have proved to be a lot more enjoyable than others over the years for their replay value and overall fun factor.
5Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs & Ham (GBA)
Metacritic User Score: 7.4
Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs & Hamforthe Gameboy Advanceis unique in its gameplay since it essentially mixes 2D platforming with party games. When the player starts up the game, they’ll need to pick a character and a hat before being introduced to the game board which is laid out like a simple board game with different colored tiles and small secrets along the way.
Whenever it’s a player’s turn though, they must complete a small 2D section to collect as many eggs and pieces of ham as they can to stand a better chance of winning.It’s a lot of fun when played in small bursts, but the biggest drawback of this game is just how repetitive it is since the Mix-Up Match minigame is always the same and the platforming sections are nowhere near long enough to be very exciting.
4The Grinch (PlayStation, Dreamcast, GameBoy Color, PC)
Metascore: 55
The Grinchis astandard PS1 action-adventure game, but this isn’t to say that it’s bad, just that players know exactly what they’re getting into upon booting it up. Grinch, in an attempt to ruin Christmas for everyone, must make his way around Whoville, collecting items and gadgets as he goes, which can be used to prank the Whos and ruin their special day.
There’s a fair level of depth to the game thanks to the multitude of gadgets Grinch can use, and there are even multiple sections where he must use stealth to make it past unsuspecting enemies. A few sections will also let players take control ofGrinch’s dog, Max, who’s a lot faster and more agile than his master which does freshen up the gameplay. At just over two hours long though, it’s a brief experience that really could have done with a few more areas, but for what it is, the game is still a ton of fun and has a tremendous amount of charm.
3Dr. Seuss: How The Grinch Stole Christmas (DS)
No Metacritic Score
Rather than taking the 3D adventure approach to its gameplay,How The Grinch Stole Christmasfor the DS takes a 2D gameplay angle and isentirely based on using stealth. The Grinch’s mission in each level is to tip-toe his way around a mansion to take down all the Christmas trees, lights, and ornaments with his sack while avoiding the residents wandering around who will kick him out as soon as he’s spotted snooping around.
Because there are several different enemy types,it does make the game quite challenging at timessince it’s always hard to know whether someone’s sleepwalking and can be easily avoided, or if they’re wide awake and will be able to see the Grinch from across the hall. The Grinch will need to make full use of his environment to stay hidden, ducking in fireplaces and hopping into elevators to remain out of sight. Alongside the actual Christmas decorations, ten presents in each stage are essentially additional collectibles which can often be tricky to get to, though they will be needed to earn that 100% completion. While the visuals are very outdated, and the lack of modes does hurt the replay value, there’s no denying just how engaging and addictive the stealth gameplay is here.
2The Cat In The Hat (PS2, Xbox, GBA, PC)
Metascore: 56
The live-action adaptation ofThe Cat in the Hatmight not have been received very well by viewers, but the game spinoff did a much better job at making the world and characters of this beloved story much more fun and interesting. A big part of this comes from the ten levels which all havevery distinct environments that are packed full of detailto make them all feel alive and memorable. Players will take control of the Cat himself who can jump, glide, and slam his way through levels while also using his umbrella to fire bubble projectiles to take out enemies.
It’s a platformer that starts fairly simple, but the difficulty soon ramps up when the puzzles become more complex and the enemy types start to turn a little more aggressive. The game is also packed full of collectibles which all need to be collected to see the special ending, which is a nice touch that makes replaying the game a blast. The three bosses are a little too powerful for their own good which can make them frustrating, and the health system is very unforgiving, but if players can look past this, they’ll be in for a real thrill ride.
1Cat In The Hat (PlayStation)
Cat in the Hatfor the original PlayStation is pretty straightforward in terms of its gameplay, but what makes it so enjoyable is howzany and creative the developers get with the levelsand minigames, replicating that randomness of the character himself. The game is split into two parts, exploring the house, and completing short minigames to progress through the story. While venturing through the house, players will need to collect resources and key items to open up cabinets and closets to find more items that can be used in the Cat’s games.
When enough items have been found, the minigame will begin, and the Cat will have a specific objective to carry out. This is where the game shines since these stages are so varied in terms of how they play. One minute the Cat will be racing around the house to catch Things 1 and 2 with a bug net, then the next he’ll be picking up food leftovers with a giant cleaning machine, and it’s this wild and bizarre nature of the game that makes it memorable. If there was any game that perfectly captured the lighthearted humor of Seuss' works, it would most definitely beCat in the Hatfor the PlayStation.
