Tools for this page
Print

High School Musical: Makin' the Cut

What’s the Story?

Reviewed by Jinny Gudmundsen

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: MAKIN' THE CUT for Nintendo DS is a musical rhythm game featuring 12 songs from the two Disney Channel movies: High School Musical and its sequel High School Musical 2.

The 12 songs are the background music while you play 12 rhythm puzzles, each of which can be played on four levels of difficulty. The game offers four modes of play: story, quickplay, video studio, and multiplayer. In the story mode, a weak narrative, with photos of High School Musical stars Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay, Ryan, Chad, and Taylor, explains that they need your help as they travel to four locations to compete for the title of "Best Youth Musical in America."

Is It Any Good?

3

This gameplay isn't novel; in fact, it's a clone of the 2006 hit DS title Elite Beat Agents. For kids who have never experienced this type of rhythm puzzle play, it will be fun at first. But unlike Elite Beat Agents, this game only has the musical puzzles and doesn't boast a strong storyline to sustain your interest. Your motivation is simply to better your score and unlock new outfits or locations for the performances.

The bottom line: For fans of the movies, High School Musical: Makin' the Cut is a fun way to play rhythm puzzles while listening to the songs they love. But eventually the gameplay loses its novelty.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
(It's free!)

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.