Of all the late nights spent working on updates for StartedByAMouse.com recently, perhaps none were more worth the loss of Zzz's than the ones spent "reviewing" two new video games for the Sony PlayStation consoles - Disney's Lilo & Stitch and Disney's Stitch: Experiment 626.

After kindly providing prizes for our Lilo & Stitch Trivia Challenge, Sony Computer Entertainment America sent a copy of each of these action-packed games to us for review. Upon receipt of these games, I invited my friend and best man at my wedding down to the apartment for a weekend of fun, challenging action. Chad is a major video game enthusiast though not necessarily a huge Disney fan.

We started with Experiment 626 for the PlayStation®2, which I figured would be the more enjoyable of the two for Chad. And sure enough, this was the right choice. Experiment 626 is a prequel to the Disney movie, featuring the exploits of the alien who would one day be adopted by Lilo and re-named Stitch. Like in the movie, Experiment 626 is built for destruction and mayhem, which is what this game is mainly about. 626 goes through a variety of worlds featuring multilevels blowing things up, collecting DNA for Jumba and avoiding death at the hands of rival mutants, flying robots and three "bosses," including a climax with Captain Gantu.

The good news about the game is that players have unlimited lives. The bad news is that players will need them. There are multiple ways to die - falling into acid, sinking in water, being shot, stung or crushed, or failing to get enough jet fuel to keep flying - and we encountered them all. Luckily, Jumba is a "good doctor" and can fix 626, restoring him to his original condition.

Game play is challenging without being overly difficult - a definite plus. The collection of DNA in each level opens up another level when so much is obtained. Here's a hint: Collect as much as you can in each level even though it may not be needed to continue to the next level. We moved along the game just fine collecting about half of the DNA available in each level. However, when it came time to enter the final "boss" level, we were short about 100 DNA and had to go back and play some levels over to collect the strands we left behind.

Another thing you may wish to collect are movie reels scattered around each levels. You may have to blow stuff up to find them or successfully chase a "squid bot" to the prize. Collecting these reels will unlock "secrets" in one of the menu screens. We assumed, incorrectly, that these could be exchanged for special weapons or some other tool to help game play. For the Disney or Lilo & Stitch fan, these "secrets," written in alien code until purchased, are really, really cool. (Shhh! Don't tell anyone else ... but the "secrets" are clips from the movie. Very cool!)

Disney's Lilo & Stitch for the PS one™ and PlayStation consoles more closely follows the story of the film. Whereas Experiment 626 featured only a few characters from the film - Stitch, Jumba and Captain Gantu - Disney's Lilo & Stitch featured nearly the whole cast - Lilo, Stitch, Mertle, Jumba & Pleakley, Cobra Bubbles, Captain Gantu and even the sunburned tourist. Game play finds Lilo and Stitch alternating through challenges where you have to collect photographs, albums and communication devices to "pass" each level. Lilo mainly uses voodoo to keep attackers at bay while Stitch has a variety of special moves.

Perhaps because it seemed to be designed for younger players or perhaps it just seemed that the game wasn't as challenging but Disney's Lilo & Stitch didn't seem that entertaining at first. Some tasks seemed more like busy work than sincere video challenges. But as we worked through the levels to later ones, it seemed to pick up and be more fun. There was enough different types of game play in the various levels - running away from the camera, running towards the camera, running side to side on the screen - to keep things interesting. For some reason, the race against Mertle on her Big Wheel was the most entertaining for us.

There are also clips from the movie featured in Disney's Lilo & Stitch, which really is a wonderful treat. If you haven't seen the film yet, completing the game gives a pretty big hint as to the end of the film, in case you don't want to know. Collecting clap boards and photographs during game play will allow you to watch film clips and see shots from the film in Lilo's bedroom.

Overall, these two titles are enjoyable to play for both the Disneyphile and the video game fan alike. Game play is challenging. Different types of levels keeps your interest throughout. There did appear to be a few bugs in the programs, more in Disney's Lilo & Stitch than in Experiment 626 but it wasn't anything too major that would hamper your fun. Movie clips in each game was a great touch and helped cement the relationship between the games and the film. We were able to complete Experiment 626 in about 12 hours and Disney's Lilo & Stitch in about four. We could have spent a lot more time in 626 looking for film reels or chasing after squid bots. If you are looking for Disney-themed video games, either of these two titles would be a great addition to your PlayStation collection.

- Story by Matthew Walker; Game photos ©Sony PlayStation
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