A GameCube launch title, Universal Studios Theme Park is one of the first games of its kind for the little box from heaven that combines a series of mini games to create one highly addictive playing experience. Its based upon one of Americas greatest theme parks and its well worth a look.
As you wander into the park for the first time, you will be accompanied by one of Universal Studios most well-known characters, Woody Woodpecker. He will be your guide and will even give you clues and pointers as to how you can access everything Universal Studios has to offer.
The game is structured in a way that each sub-game or mini-game stems from a main playing area. Many areas of the game are locked to begin with, and generally you must uncover secrets in the central area to unlock further sections of the game.
There are many playing styles within Universal Studios that are themed around the companys own franchises. These include Jurassic Park, Back to the Future, Jaws, Backdraft, Wild Wild West and Water World, not to mention the legendary E.T. Some stages will see the player racing jeeps in a fight for survival, while others comprise of rescue missions and Universal Studios quizzes.
Its got some way to go to match the might of Super Monkey Ball, but its a good effort.