Yogi Bear: The Video Game

Game review by Christopher Healy, Common Sense Media
Yogi Bear: The Video Game Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 6+

Movie-based basic platform-jumping gets repetitive quickly.

Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi, Nintendo Wii 2010
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Parents say

age 18+

Based on 3 reviews

Kids say

age 2+

Based on 1 review

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  • Yogi Bear: The Video Game: Screenshot #1
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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this game.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Yogi Bear: The Video Game is a platform-jumping adventure game based on the new Yogi Bear movie. True to the classic character, Yogi is always tempted to steal picnic baskets. He is ultimately a hero who wants to save the park he lives in, and tries to do it without disturbing too much of the nature and tourism going on around him. While that plot is readily apparent in the Wii version, the DS version, which has fewer story-building scenes, makes Yogi's noble side less apparent. The DS version appears as more of a game about sneaking through the park, swiping food.

Community Reviews

Gibus
Gibus Adult
October 24, 2021
age 18+

Yogi Bear: An Underrated Masterpiece

As someone studying Video Game design, this game is truly special. You can tell this gameplay took a very long time in order to make it highly polished and awesome. The gameplay is similar to that of Donkey Kong Frozen Ape and Toad in New Super Mario Bros. However, it does have some improvements over those two games. For example, you are able to bodyslam hedgehogs (similar to Sonic) thanks to soft body based physics, and you have a slide similar to that of the Penguin Suit from New Super Bros Mario 2. Long story short, this game is smarter than the average platformer. Its graphics are also incredible. The least I can say is that it is visually stunning. My pet Snom approves of these points as well. The story is also very interesting, and I was excited to see whether Yogi and Boo Boo would be able to get the pictures for the ranger. Overall, this game is incredible, I am surprised Yogi was not added to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate because of how he revolutionized the sidescrolling platforming industry. The only reason this game is not 5 stars is because they did not include Lemmy Koopa from Kirby's Return to Dreamland. Hopefully this will be something they improve in the sequel or in DLC. Overall, it's a masterpiece, and should be played by all. Just be prepared to sell your soul. Thanks for your time. :)

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Easy to play/use
FamilyTimeIsSacred7274
FamilyTimeIsSacred7274 Adult
March 6, 2019
age 18+

Absolute filth, kid having seizure

I was family time because fimaly time is sacred, and m childw sudenly have spasm and shakes alot! I new this curse game was bad news, do not buy or your child may died. Translation for Russian viewers: Family time is holy, and so suddenly the child gets a lot of hits and medicine, it was time for the family! I have to change this curse game, it was bad news, I either did not buy your child died

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 3 parent reviews

What’s It About?

YOGI BEAR: THE VIDEO GAME is a tie-in to the new live-action/CGI-animated Yogi Bear movie. As in the movie, Dan Aykroyd provides the voice of Yogi Bear. The Wii version of the game features a storyline about the imminent closing of Jellystone Park, due to the disappearance of its rare animals. Yogi explores the park to find and photograph endangered species and, thus, keep the park open. Along the way, he must try not to disturb vacationers or other wildlife, lest he get scolded by Ranger Smith. Yogi is, of course, distracted along the way by food that he can collect for points and bonuses. The DS version has less of a storyline (no animal photography), but lets you collect gears and build contraptions (like flying bike-car-thingies) that will allow you to access new areas on your quest for food.

Is It Any Good?

There's not much to excite in Yogi Bear: The Video Game. It's nice to hear Dan Aykroyd doing the voiceovers, but beyond that, the graphics and gameplay feel very ho-hum. The Wii version has fun bits with photographing the animals when you find them, and the mini-games for building crazy vehicles in the DS version gives it momentary boosts of fun -- but in between those interesting segments, there's a lot of standard platform-jumping that, unfortunately, grows repetitive quickly and never feels all that entertaining. As a movie-based tie-in game, Yogi Bear is passable, but it never really moves beyond that.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Yogi's character. Is he a hero? Can he be considered noble character when he always gets into trouble and steals food? Is it okay that he does so, because he is, after all, supposed to be a wild animal?

  • Parents can also talk to kids about marketing. This video game was released before the movie it is based on, and comes with a coupon for movie tickets. In what ways do you think the game developers and movie producers work together?

Game Details

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