The Cat in the Hat (video game) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Cat in the Hat |
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| Developer(s) | Magenta Software (PS2, Xbox) Digital Eclipse ( Windows, GBA) |
| Publisher(s) | Vivendi Universal Games |
| Director(s) | Paul Johnson Dave Allsopp |
| Producer(s) | Jared Brinkley Stephen Townsend |
| Composer(s) | Keith Leary (Game Audio Ltd.) |
| Platform(s) | Game Boy Advance, Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox |
| Release date(s) | |
| Genre(s) | Platform |
The Cat in the Hat (also known as Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat) is a 2003 2.5D platform game for PlayStation 2, Xbox, Microsoft Windows, and Game Boy Advance. The PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions were developed by Magenta Software. The Windows and Game Boy Advance versions were developed by Digital Eclipse. All versions of the game were published by Vivendi Universal Games. It is based on the 2003 film of the same name, which was released shortly after the game. A version for the GameCube was planned, but was never released.
Plot
On a stormy day, Conrad (Chase Chavarria) and Sally (Andrea Bowen) are confined inside their house while their mother is gone. The Cat in the Hat (Chris Edgerly) arrives to bring them cheer, but next-door neighbor, Larry Quinn (Fred Tatasciore), steals the Crab Lock that seals the Cat's magical crate, causing magic to flood the house and unleash chaos that threatens the world. The Cat makes his way through different stages—household objects or rooms which have been corrupted by the magic—with the guidance of the family's fish (Nolan North), recaptures the magic, and chases Larry Quinn, who is after the magic in a quest to become immensely powerful. After cleaning the house of magic and besting Larry Quinn, the Crab Lock reattaches to the crate, sealing away the magic.
The plot of the Game Boy Advance version is largely the same, with the exception that Conrad removes the lock, as for unknown reasons, Larry Quinn is not present.
Gameplay
PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Windows
The main objective of the game is to explore worlds and chase Quinn out of them while optionally gathering the scattered magic. There are ten levels and three boss fights, though there is also a bonus level which can be unlocked by completing the bonus stages in each level. To traverse these levels, the cat can jump, glide with his umbrella, zipline, slam to the ground, and collect enemies and explosive goo in bubbles for use as projectiles, among other maneuvers.
The game has a variety of collectibles. Each stage contains small clusters of magic whose value varies by color; if every cluster is collected within a stage, the stage's appearance in the hub world returns to normal. Collecting all magic in the game results in the game's true ending where the crate is sealed. There are also gems which can be collected in bonus levels, of which one exists in each stage and can be unlocked by acquiring four keys from Thing One and Thing Two; collecting all of these gems unlocks the bonus stage. Finally, there are clapperboards hidden throughout each stage that, when collected, unlock a clip from the movie for viewing in the menu.
In the game's three boss fights, the Cat fights Quinn's machine – which is powered by the Crab Lock – and must fire bubbles full of enemies into the machine's exhaust pipe to damage it. Upon defeating Quinn, the Cat obtains one-third of the Crab Lock by hitting it with explosive goo. Upon revisiting the stage, Thing One and Thing Two pilot the machine instead of Quinn.
Bonus stages are short segments of gameplay where the goal is to outrun hazards such as such as rolling objects, rising liquids, and laser beams to collect a crystal. Collecting the crystal at the end of every bonus stage will open a bonus level called Mystic Mirror.
Game Boy Advance
In addition to platforming stages, the Game Boy Advance version contains four stages where the player scuba dives to obtain pieces of the Crab Lock. There's also a bonus stage where the Cat drives his cleaning machine to catch Thing One and Thing Two. Collectibles include icons related to the theme of the stage as well as enemies that have been defeated.
