| The Grinch | |
| Developer: | Artificial Mind & Movement (PS & DC) Konami Computer Entertainment Nagoya (GBC) Konami (PC) |
| Publisher: | Konami |
| Platforms: | PlayStation, Dreamcast, Game Boy Color, Microsoft Windows |
| Released: | PlayStation Dreamcast Game Boy Color Windows |
| Genre: | Platformer Stealth (GBC) |
| Modes: | Single-player |
The Grinch is a 2000 platform video game loosely based on the film How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Developed by Artificial Mind & Movement and published by Konami, the game was released in North America one week prior to the film's theatrical release—November 10, 2000. George Lowe does uncredited work as the narrator of the game. The Game Boy Color version was released that same month, which was ported for a release in Japan on November 22, 2000.[1]
As the Grinch, the player can jump, ground pound, and use his smelly breath to guide his way through various obstacles in the game. As the game progresses different gadgets are unlocked which are used to complete different tasks. Various characters from the book and film appear as well, usually as an obstacle for the Grinch to bypass.
The Grinch stares down at Whoville through his telescope from Mount Crumpit, planning to take the Whos' presents using his gadgets. He goes in his cave, and looks through his blueprints deciding which gadget to make first. However, the Grinch accidentally falls off his mountain of boxes and his blueprints fly away down to Whoville and various parts of Wholand. The Grinch visits Whoville, the Whoforest, Whoville Municipal Dump, and Wholake, destroying Christmas presents, playing pranks on the Whos and recovering pieces of his blueprints in the process so he can steal Christmas.
The Dreamcast, PC, and PlayStation versions received "mixed" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. John Gaudiosi of NextGens review for the latter console version had positive comments on controls and graphics, but called the gameplay dull and not challenging and recommended the game only for Grinch fans. Star Dingo of GamePros website-only review said, "While a scant few of The Grinchs tasks are fun, the rest are either boring, frustrating, or both."[2]
The Game Boy Color version was a runner-up for the "Action Game of 2000" award in Editors' Choice at IGNs Best of 2000 Awards for Game Boy Color.[3]
The game sold almost 20,000 units and generated $660,000 in revenue.[4]