September 27, 2011
Pap the Disney Gamer's
Highlights: 102 Dalmatians: Puppies to the
Rescue
Developed by: Crystal Dynamics
System: PlayStation, Dreamcast, PC, Game Boy
Color

In 1996, Disney released the
live action adaptation of 101 Dalmatians
starring Glen Close as Cruella DeVille. An odd
decision, I thought at the time, since the
animated version of the story was already very
popular and beloved by the time the live action
adaptation was released. Even more peculiar, a
sequel was released in 2000 called 102
Dalmatians, also starring Glen Close and
featuring Oddball, the puppy with no spots. That
feature film yielded a really fun video game
adaptation, titled 102 Dalmatians: Puppies to
the Rescue.

For the most part, it follows
the basics of the movie's storyline really well,
but it is mainly a loose adaptation. You play as
both Oddball and Domino as they go around London
(and 15 other levels) trying to foil Cruella's
plot to capture as many puppies as possible.
Each level has a set number of missions (or
'chores' as the game likes to call them).
Completion of these missions will yield their
own set of rewards. The gameplay is a 3D
platformer akin to popular titles of the era
like Super Mario 64. These type of platformers
were often hit or miss due to how complex the
mechanics were. Puppies to the Rescue, however,
avoids most of the problems seen in these games,
like a trouble camera system.

Oddball and Domino are not alone
in their quest as they encounter animal friends
that will help them in their journey, such as
the parrot that thinks he is a dog and Cruella's
own puppy. Each level has a set number of
collectibles Oddball and Domino can find such as
bones and, of course, their puppy siblings. Much
like in classic platforming titles collecting
these will help you gain a better score, as well
as unlock additional goodies. In Puppies to the
Rescue you can unlock stickers that will appear
in a nifty sticker book.

Puppies to the Rescue's
presentation is charming and true to the
adorable appeal of the 101 Dalmatians films. It
doesn't break new ground when it comes to
technical design, but it all works splendidly,
especially in the cut scenes. But easily the
game's strongest asset lies in the sound
presentation. Puppies to the Rescue is fully
voiced. It features the talents of great voice
actors such as Susan Blakeslee as Cruella,
Maurice Lamarche as Horace, and even Monty
Python star Eric Idle as Waddlesworth! It
even features the talents of Frankie Muniz (TV's
Malcom in the Middle) as the voice of
Domino! Clearly a lot of effort went into
creating a bonafide 101 Dalmatians product.

Unfortunately, at the time of
its release, 102 Dalmatians: Puppies to the
Rescue was treated as a cash in game and thus
didn't gain a stronger legacy. It's a shame as
while it doesn't stray away from the path
clearly set by the pioneers of the genre, the
game does a pretty good job of presenting us a
charming digital version of one of the world's
most famous canine stories. In a way, the game
is like its leading star Oddball: different from
the rest but just as charming, if not more.