Inspector Gadget: M.A.D. Dash Review

Dum da dum da dum, Inspector Gadget, dum da dum da dum DUM DUM, woo hoo!

Anyone born in the 80's, or later if you were forced to watch the Matthew Broderick movie, knows all about Inspector Gadget. He's not the quickest inspector in the world, but his arsenal of robotic gadgets and body modifications make him, with all due respect to Inspector Clouseau, the best inspector to ever grace the morning cartoon circuit. His translation to the video game realm has been spotty at best, and his latest iteration, made by XMG (Cannon Cadets), is certainly a stripped down but entertaining version of the cartoon.

This new version of Inspector Gadget is an endless runner in the realm of Canabalt that adds a few go-go-gadget gimmicks to spice things up. While I would've gone with giant retractable legs or some sort of permanent jet pack for the primary movement, this version uses his go-go gadget skates. The skates are obviously not the sexiest choice, you do get you use some nifty retractable arms for swinging from perilous hooks and your trusty umbrella hat extension to float over high powered fans.

The game itself is exactly what you would expect from an endless running type game. You basically guide Gadget through increasingly tougher platforms to jump on and do your best to avoid all objects and traps that 'The Claw' sets up for you. Without the Inspector Gadget overlay, the game would be an above average high score runner, but with the impeccable sound effects and graphics, the game really does stand out from the crowd. Is it better than the fantastically gritty Canabalt? No, probably not, but it is a great game nonetheless.