DESCRIPTION

That dastardly Gargamel! Just as he's done so many times before, the evil sorcerer has gone out of his way to make life as difficult as possible for the Smurfs, this time abducting three of them — Brainy, Jokey and Smurfette. To rectify the situation, Papa Smurf has appointed none other than Hefty to save them.

Based on the ultra-popular Saturday morning cartoon from the 1980s, The Smurfs puts you in Hefty's tiny shoes as you fight through 12 stages of forests, swamps, mountains and more on your way to liberating your blue buddies. While most levels are in the traditional 2D platform style (enabling you to run, jump and pounce on enemies), others allow you to ride a log down a stream, pilot a stork, steer a mine car or guide a sled through snow. Along the way, you can collect power-ups like sarsaparilla leaves (ten yield a free Smurf), Smurf dolls for extra lives and raspberries to help out your health meter. Grabbing each level's five stars means a trip to a bonus stage where you can gather even more items.

A great many enemies stand in the way of Hefty, including buzz flies, angry Smurfs, caterpillars and other living things capable of harming a being only two apples high. In order to attain the keys to free your fellow Smurfs, you must first defeat bosses like a giant snake and baby dragon. Even Gargamel's cat, Azrael, looks forward to clawing at your indigo hide. Your final battle is with Gargamel himself in his castle. Only by defeating him can you rescue Smurfette and bring peace to your village . . . at least for a while. ~ Christopher Michael Baker, All Game Guide