Ed, Edd 'n Eddy: Scam of the Century

Rating Everyone Genre action Publisher Art Co External Links Official Ed Game Website

Back around 1999 Cartoon network was flooded with mostly Scooby Doo reruns, then they got smart and started creating there own cartoons. Ed, Edd ‘n Eddy was one of those creations, and to this day is the longest running cartoon in CN history, for eight years. And now D3 Publisher managed to snag up the rights and Art Co has developed a Nintendo DS exclusive game, Ed, Edd 'n Eddy: Scam of the Century.

The always-scheming Eds have found their Book of Scams stolen and in the hands of none other than their enemy Kevin and the other kids of the cul-de-sac. Now that the Eds’ schemes are exposed, the rival kids are dEDD-set on turning the scamming plans against the Eds. All the popular characters, items and locations from the much-loved animated show on Cartoon Network are part of the game, as well as original content for all-new experiences with Ed, Edd and Eddy. Gamers play as all three Eds in this side-scrolling action game, implementing unique attacks, abilities and collectibles matched to each Ed’s personality and traits.

Gamers attempt to penetrate the walls of the fort that Rolf and the other kids have constructed in the cul-de-sac, venture through the forest, and ultimately work to thwart the efforts of the other kids in order to get the Book of Scams back. The idea of this game is to lead the Eds through their own levels in a side scrolling, clichéd scenario. I played through as Eddy, and by the first 5 minutes I was ready to throw the DS away just so I wouldn’t have to touch the cartridge again. But as a reviewer I had to continue on.

The style of the show has been captured remarkably well for the game. During gameplay the character is displayed on the touch screen in the squiggle-vision style the show is known for. The characters on the top screen are presented in a paper doll style, which gives them that loose, floppy feel that everyone in the show has. Signature things, like the way the Eds run, are captured perfectly. Even the writing retains the show's wackiness, and each character is really brought out in the dialogue, including the other cul-de-sac kids.

All in all, the gameplay is basic at points. Your main attack involves jumping on heads. You can also attack things by spitting chewed gum at them. The touch screen is barely used except to activate picked up health regens and to activate a special attack that you gain by filling up the “knock out” bar. Eddy’s is just a big belch that “knocks out” any enemy in range. The only reason to keep trudging along with the game would be to collect enough quarters to unlock minigames.

But oh wait, there are only three terrible minigames that are poorly designed to the point of practically playing themselves. Whack-A-Zit tries to mimic the classic whack-a-mole game with Ed's back zits. The touch screen only has to recognize the stylus touching a zit, not an actual tap, so the game becomes a scribble fest. The meat puzzle is so simple that making just one move results in some eight move combo. Why should we play when the game obviously wants to just do it for us?

As if to taunt us further, the game has a variety of songs that all manage to suck. Each character and different levels have songs, and somehow they are all obnoxious and repetitive. They're vaguely reminiscent of the show's music, but it sounds like the developers didn't get the rights to the music so they just made poor rip-off music. Plus there is no voice work, so as good as the writing is, we don't get to hear it acted out. There isn't even a generic "ouch!" when the characters get hurt. If your young child is a fan of the show and you’re looking for a cheap stocking stuffer this year, go for it! Otherwise, STAY AWAY!