What’s gaming, Scooby-Doo? Debuting way back in 1969, Mystery Inc. has delighted many generations of families and fans. The Scooby-Doo franchise is not afraid of keeping up with the times and changing up the beloved mystery-solving comedy formula with each new iteration of the Scooby Gang. The beloved noughties live-action films and the many Scooby-Doo video games are great examples of this enduring success.
And speaking of the live-action film duology, did you know that Supa-Star Neil Fanning, the voice of everybody’s favourite Great Dane, also reprised his role in the official film tie-in video games?
To prepare for his upcoming appearance at Supanova in Melbourne, before returning to the event in June for Sydney and Perth, and concluding the year in Brisbane, let’s look back at some of the best Scooby-Doo games that you may have forgotten about!
SCOOBY-DOO! MYSTERY ADVENTURES
2000’s Scooby-Doo! Mystery Adventures were point-and-click PC games developed by The Learning Company. This series comprised three adventures: Showdown in Ghost Town, Phantom of the Knight and Jinx at the Sphinx.
The player must search for clues with the Scooby Gang, solve puzzles and play a fun assortment of mini-games. This series was educational and great for young fans but still retained the good old Scoob charm, making these games enjoyable for everyone.
Be warned though… Clicking on the screen too often causes a monstrous jump scare that relocates the Scooby Gang to another location full of clues. A helpful mechanic, but also, JINKIES!
SCOOBY-DOO AND THE CYBER CHASE
Grab a box of Scooby Snacks and enter the digital realm to battle the Phantom Virus in 2001’s Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase! Released simultaneously with the direct-to-video animated flick, the PS1 and GBA versions were developed by Art Co. Ltd and Software Creations respectively.
The PS1 version is a Crash Bandicoot-like platformer with a Scoob-tastic twist. Play as Scooby or Shaggy (depending on the level) and collect mouth-watering pies to throw at enemies and defeat bosses to ascend to the next stage.
All seven stages featured are based on the worlds from the animated flick, such as Classic Japan, Ancient Rome, Prehistoric Jungle, and the Amusement Park. For many gamers, the Egypt stage is ingrained in their memories for its harsh enemy and platform placements.
Players yearning for another shot at the Phantom Virus were delighted with a fun GBA 2D side-scroller adventure where everyone in the Scooby Gang is playable. GROOVY!
SCOOBY-DOO! NIGHT OF 100 FRIGHTS
2002’s Night of 100 Frights was developed by Heavy Iron Studios for the PS2, Xbox and Nintendo GameCube. This 3D Metroidvania collectathon had the totally tubular Tim Curry as the voice of the game’s conniving villain, the Mastermind! (Did you know Tim Curry also voiced Ben Ravencroft in the best direct-to-DVD film “Scooby-Doo and the Witch’s Ghost?)
While on a case at a creepy mansion, all of the Mystery Inc. crew except for Scooby are trapped by this dastardly villain. It’s up to Scoob to solve the mystery, unmask the Mastermind, and save the day! Players must contend with the Mystery Inc. rogues’ gallery, including the Ghost of Redbeard, Captain Cutler, Space Kook, and the Green Ghost!
Night of 100 Frights is beloved for adapting the tone of the animated series perfectly as well as its tight controls, fun platforming and immersive environments.
SCOOBY-DOO! MYSTERY MAYHEM
“Like here’s us checking out a spooky library and we find an even spookier book that gives me the heebie-jeebies. Now here’s me and Scoob busting ghosts like we belong to a totally different franchise. ZOINKS!”
2004’s Mystery Mayhem for the sixth generation of consoles was developed by Artificial Mind and Movement. Play as Scooby or Shaggy and switch between them to utilise their unique abilities to solve puzzles and collect pages for the “Tome of Doom.”
This mystical book is useful for trapping spirits, but be careful, as it doesn’t save the best pals from being scared stiff! The pair’s health bar is a scare meter in disguise, so the pair could potentially run off the screen, resulting in a game over. RUH-ROH!
This game is geared towards puzzle solving, combat, stealth (in the form of the “disguise system”) and mini-games. Mystery Mayhem is fondly remembered for its unique mechanics never utilised in a Scooby-Doo game before. Perhaps Hideo Kojima was taking notes?
THE SCOOBY-DOO LIVE-ACTION FILM TIE-IN GAMES
2002’s Scooby-Doo for GBA was developed by Helixe and was the only game based on the hit live-action film. This top-down asymmetrical 3D adventure included every Mystery Inc. member in the character roster, each with unique abilities.
Players explore Spooky Island, talk to witnesses, gather clues and battle monsters. The biggest surprise to players though was the story, which is based on an older script where Scrappy-Doo is nowhere to be seen. Instead, Mystery Inc. faced the sinister Master Monstermind.
2004’s Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed video game for the PC was developed by AWE Games. This top-down point-and-click action game lives rent-free in most people’s minds for being ridiculous fun thanks to the ever-changing gameplay mechanics.
Players will instantly recognise the familiar voices from the film, who voiced dialogue exclusively for the video game. This includes Supa-Star Neil Fanning as Scooby-Doo, alongside Matthew Lillard as Shaggy, Linda Cardellini as Velma and Scott McNeil as Evil Masked Figure.
Let us know your favourite Scooby-Doo game, Supa-Fans!
Catch Neil Fanning at Supanova in Melbourne (29-30 March) as well as Sydney and Perth in June, and Brisbane later in the year!
