Tools for this page
Print

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie's Revenge

What’s the Story?

Reviewed byChris Jozefowicz

Like the movie on which it was based, TIM BURTON'S THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS: OOGIE'S REVENGE tells the tale of Jack Skellington, hero of Halloween Town. Jack returns from his search for new, improved thrills and chills to find that Oogie Boogie has made the frightening-yet-fun Halloween Town menacing, filled with traps and dangerous ghouls. Players assume the role of Jack, embarking on a relatively long and action-packed single-player mission to restore Halloween Town to its silly-scary status, and stop Oogie from taking over the other holidays.

The game provides plenty of opportunities for fighting through more than 25 levels. Jack uses an elastic tentacle called the Soul Grabber to snap and lasso enemies, and as a grappling hook to swing and climb. The game's boss battles are frequently livened up with song-and-dance interludes that involve damage-dealing rhythm games in which players must hit buttons in time to the music.

Is It Any Good?

4

Although experienced players might find the action simple, this video game sequel to the movie provides a satisfying adventure in a delightfully macabre world. Most impressively, the game captures the sweetly morbid mood of the movie. The graphics are perfect for representing the cartoonish, almost toy-like nature of the characters and settings. Yes, Jack is fighting his way through legions of skeletons, ghosts, and trolls, but the undead manage to seem more cuddly than creepy: Skeletons dangling from nooses casually read books as they hang; Jack rides a sleigh made from a coffin pulled by reindeer skeletons.

There are some problems. The battle viewing angles are sometimes poor, and fighting can get tiresome as Jack whips his way through hordes of rather weak enemies. And some songs play too frequently. But even the most tedious sequences are beautiful to behold.

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.
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.