I don’t have a DS, but the idea of using the stilus to become a “virtual Chuck Jones” (or should that be a virtual Bugs?), that drives Daffy crazy like in that classic cartoon sounds like a really original idea.

I’ve been really impressed from what I’ve seen of Duck Amuck. The people behind the game really seem to be big fans of classic Looney Tunes, and wanted to do Chuck Jones’ classic justice.

In this interview they talk about the animation involved (it’s done by the guys behind those e-surance commercials) and other neat things like how they actually used character reference models from 1953 instead of going with the “newer” Daffy look. All in all, a very neat little game.

Acme Arsenal is pretty awful, though.

Duck Amuck looks interesting. Since I have a DS, I may just check this one out! But as red pill junkie said, it’s a great idea for the stylus!

I have heard DUCK AMUCK has been given several favorable reviews. As for ACME ARSENAL, I am skipping out on that one. And what is up with the character designs in that game ? Everyone has a “physchotic tude” look.

Duck Amuck (the film, not the game) gave me issues as a child. Theres this gag where the film moves off the spool so that there are two Daffy’s on screen, the one we’ve been following and the one from the ‘next frame’. The two then have a fight, but then (and this where my issues started) it’s the OTHER Daffy that we follow for the rest of the picture.

In my child mind, this meant that every subsequent Daffy cartoon starred some sort of malevolent impostor. Which in fairness, would account for most Looney Tunes marketing in the last 50 years.

Anyway, now I have to get a DS. For closure.

Here’s a shot that directly compares the Duck Amuck short with the game.

I’m generally wary of games based on non-game licenses, but Duck Amuck looks inspired.

A video game based on an existing, non-video game property that’s good? Wow. That doesn’t happen often.

Well…if there’s a game inspired by Duck Amuck (amazing!)…I want a Nintendo game inspired by my favourite episode: Operation:Rabbit!

Although I love Cartoon Brew and understand its editorial standpoint, I think it’s really a shame that good videogame animation gets so little attention in the animation community in general. Some of the most brilliant contemporary designers and animators happen to work in this medium. Can’t praise enough the brilliant animation and art direction from titles like Shadow of the Colossus (PS2), Okami (PS2), Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS), Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan! (DS - the original japanese “Elite Beat Agents”), Rythm Tengoku (GBA), just to name a few of the recent masterpieces in their genres that also, coincidentally, did not use motion capture. I think whatever the field of the animator he can and should learn a lot from videogames.

Ign.com has a bit of a sadder review, giving the presentation a perfect score, but giving the gameplay 5 out of 10.

I agree with Paulo. Since right now the video game industry is BIGGER than the movie industry, most people that study animation are more likely to find a job doing games than cartoons for the theaters or the home TV room. When done properly, Video games can be wonderful to tell a compelling story.

Acme Arsenal, is an okay game, but controls are sketchy. You also can’t move the camera around as easily as you can in other games.

I’ll have to try and get the Duck Amuck game. Is it for PS2?

Hey Paulo! I think you forgot to list “Psychonauts” in your list of awesomely animated inspiring videogames there. ;)

1. junkie, I’m obsessive, but let’s not overstate the industry’s size, eh? It’s certainly not even able to touch the film industry right now.

2. Brandon, think of Duck Amuck being like the actual short. Stylus is required (DS).

Most Looney Tunes video games are similar to what Filmation used to do to classic characters like Droopy or Heckle and Jeckle back in the 80’s.

If they can successfully make a video game of Duck Amuck, I will be amazed.

Duck Amuck has 72% at GameRankings.com so far, not bad. 54% for the Xbox 360 version of Acme Arsenal, not good.

The only Looney Tunes game I ever liked was Looney Tunes B-Ball on the Super NES, a 2-on-2 basketball game in glorious 2-D and I _think_ it even used voice samples from the cartoons.