A Mad Time Party With Inspector Gadget Awaits Those Always On Duty

Wowsers! Calling all ‘80s kids who fondly remember watching Inspector Gadget, the animated television series about a clumsy and rather susceptible but dedicated and well-meaning robotic detective back in the day [3] [8] [12] [13] [14] [15]! Inspector Gadget is yet to defend Metro City from Dr. Claw and his MAD agents and encounter his three ancestors through a series of minigames in a new party game developed by Smart Tale and titled “Inspector Gadget - Mad Time Party” [11] [24] [30]. Quite unfortunately, notable party games aside from the Mario Party series have not been the life of the party, causing players to gradually become their party poopers, including Sonic Shuffle, Shrek Super Party and Crash Boom Bang [2] [10] [28]. Nevertheless, a party game can still be done right with plenty of thought and carefulness put into it, even if it does not involve the red-hatred plumber from Nintendo whose second chance at being a movie star outside of Japan was worth it [21] [26] [27]. Beyond the days of a cheesy but oddly assuming DVD menu tutorial hosted by Gadget, two mediocrely received live-action adaptions of his legacy and blisters caused by a certain minigame in the first Mario Party game [1] [4] [5] [29], an upcoming party game has some potential [11] [24] [30]. 

And that theme song is stuck back in my head [15]. [11] [30]

The graphics can be described as a modern adaption of the visuals from the television show [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [30]. They may seem rather generic with not much memorability, but they are at least vibrant enough to draw in the player’s attention and be considered an adaption of Metro City [3] [15] [24]. Furthermore, the designs of Gadget and his niece Penny are 3D equivalents of their designs in the original series [11] [24] [30], which can appeal to those who prefer the original series over the reboot that began in 2015 [9] [16] [20]. More importantly, there ought to be some simple but smooth controls for each minigame. Sort of like how four players can play as the same character but in a different palette each in Super Smash Bros. Brawl [22], four players can play as Gadget or any of his ancestors [11] [24] [30]. As unlikely as this sounds, perhaps a downloadable content pack can feature the clone from “Doubled Agent”, an episode of the first season of the original television series and the two gadgetinis from Gadget and the Gadgetinis [6] [7] [13] [19]. It can be challenging to provide equal functionality for quite a big variety of minigames with different gameplay techniques in a party game, but it would ultimately take dedication combined with sufficient visuals after a lot of creative thinking [21]. 

Aside from how the minigames seem to suit the nature of the television series, such as a Go Go Gadget Copter minigame [11] [15] [30]. some witty dialogue in the cutscenes would be very much appreciated as that would elevate the game’s faithfulness to the classic television series in terms of the game’s writing [3] [12] [13] [14]. Perhaps Gadget will form some connection with his ancestors [19], must like how Sly Cooper bonded with his ancestors in Sly Cooper: Thieves In Time [23]. [11] [30]

I understand that the game is meant to be based on the original series from 1983 to 1986 [8], but as a 2000s kid, I think welcoming Fidget and Digit from Gadget and the Gadgetinis as figures from the near future in a DLC pack can be a treat for those who fondly remember watching the sequel series from 2002 to 2003 [6] [7]. [19]

Hopefully, on Steam, the Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, the PlayStation 4 and the PlayStation 5 this Autumn [11] [30], Inspector Gadget - Mad Time Party will be a passable party game that will not make the same mistakes some others have made [2] [10] [28]. While its graphics are passable with some faithlessness to the television series from the mid-‘80s and there ought to be some elements of hilarity to maintain that familiar charm in a fresh way [3] [11] [12] [13] [14] [30], its gameplay experience could be just about right with well-crafted controls for all sixteen minigames [24]. Speaking of being crafted, Sonic the Hedgehog in his LEGO form can hopefully stop LEGO Eggman from taking over LEGO HQ and free one of its designers in another promotional video for LEGO Sonic sets [17] [18]. And speaking of Sonic the Hedgehog, who would have thought Sonic supporters would witness an outstandingly animated opening sequence for Sonic Superstars during the release of the teaser for Inspector Gadget - Mad Time Party [11] [25] [30]? Through a series of minigames within one big party, the inspector who had a mustache in a pilot will remain on duty when it comes to stopping Dr. Claw’s plan of utter diabolicalness [24] [25] [30]. After all, he is always on duty. Go Go Gadget Controllers this September! 

And one more thing! Please do not make me a running gag like Chief Quimby by giving me a note that explodes [15] [16]! Oh no. Too late. Just for that, I’ll get you next time! [24]

References

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