If you’re an old-school gamer like me you’ll probably remember the classic Popeye arcade game that gladly made fans surrender their quarters just to get a chance to punch out the likeablye sailor’s brawny rival Bluto.  Since then there’s been a few games released on different systems but none that have come to match the appeal of the original.  With Popeye: Rush for Spinach for the Game Boy Advance, Namco hopes to bring us a side-scrolling race game true to the Popeye franchise.

Rush for Spinach finds our beefy-armed sailor up against Bluto, Popeye’s ladylove Olive Oyl and hamburger-crazed Wimpy in a race that starts on foot.  There’s a story too in the game’s main Adventure mode.  It seems that the crafty Sea Hag witch has stolen the world’s spinach supply so she could feed her ghosts (huh?) so it’s up to the four to try and get it all back.  How you might ask?  Well with a race where the winner gets to face off against the Sea Hag.  Okay, while the story isn’t the game’s strongpoint we’ll get into the racing action.

You begin the game by selecting any of the four main characters and while the story doesn’t change at all depending on whom you choose.  In fact, aside from the way they run or how they celebrate a victory, much of these characters’ personality doesn’t really shine through.  So don’t expect Wimpy to blurt out how he’d gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today and don’t expect Bluto to punch Popeye square in his monstrous chin if Popeye gets in his way.  The result is a foot race where all four characters, regardless of their relationship, foil each another in order to win the race.  If that means Popeye has to set an explosive mine for Olive Oyl to step on so be it.  You’ll race in places such as a neat little seaside town, the docks, a jungle and even the moon.

Each map is composed of environmental hazards such as pits with spikes or a drawbridge that blocks the way of racers but there is also seven Power Up items that can be used to your advantage.  Turbo Spinach, for example, accelerates your speed for a short duration while Chicken, where you turn your opponent into a chicken that runs a lot slower, and can be trampled on with a vehicle.  Yes, there are vehicles you get to control in this game and they add a little more variety to each race . . . although not by much.  Scattered throughout each map you’ll find a car, pogo sticks, row boats, jetpacks, skateboards and you can even get to ride on the back of a dinosaur.  Vehicles don’t last very long in this game since their use is timed but it’s enough to give players a speed burst.

Aside from adventure mode, Rush for Spinach has a Challenge mode where you go up against a single character for a one-on-one race and Time Rush where you’ll race alone while attempting to beat the clock.  The game even allows you to race against a friend or with a friend in Team Rush mode (with the help of a GBA Link Cable, of course).  Unfortunately, even with these things Rush for Spinach gets too repetitive too quickly and thanks to the jerky controls you’ll be struggling to keep your character from jumping into a pit (something that occurs often in the game thanks to a delay in the jump).  You’ll also be laying the same traps over and over again and jumping over the same usual obstacles.  With very little in the level variety department the game feels transparent and once you memorize where all the Power Up items you beat your opponents every time.

Visually, Rush for Spinach manages to capture the visual appeal of the cartoons in that all the characters look excellent during the races.  It’s cool to see how each character runs his or her own way.  For example, Popeye pumps his thick arms as he runs while Olive Oyl looks as though she’s got rubber bands for legs.  It’s also something of a blast watching these characters try to foil the others with Power Up items that range from mines to turning your opponent into a chicken.  Still there are some environments that look pretty plain while other maps are filled with plenty of environmental hazards and detail.  It’s not bad stuff, really, but it could have been better.

The sound, on the other hand, is where the game fails miserably.  Sure the cartoon’s main theme comes up at the beginning but the rest of the soundtrack is as repetitive as the game itself.  You won’t find any of the four character’s recognizable catchphrases either.  Just about the only thing you’ll hear from them is grunts and moans when they get hurt or a cheer when they win.  Even the sound effects don’t offer that same Popeye cartoon quality.

The Game Boy Advance has a number of addictive and challenging racing games among its library of titles but unfortunately Popeye: Rush for Spinach isn’t one of them.  It’s too bad; really, seeing as all the favorite characters are present and accounted for but with very little variety and a few weak spots in the gameplay, this is one fans of the one-eyed sailor should skip. 

Gameplay: 5.0
It’s definitely enjoyable to dive into a racing game that begins on foot but ends with the racers using everything from pogo sticks to skateboards.  Add a number of Power Up items, enough maps and the ability to catch other racers and we have all the makings of a good racer.  Yet with jerky controls and poor jumping abilities for all the characters it’s not as fun as it could have been.

Graphics: 6.0
The environments range from somewhat bland to downright pretty in some levels and all the characters are instantly recognizable and surprisingly nicely done.  The effects aren’t as impressive as they should be but turning your opponent into a chicken you can run over with your car won’t fail to produce a chuckle or two.

Sound: 5.0
Sound-wise, Rush for Spinach just doesn’t provide any comical cartoon-like sound effects or even offer sound bytes with familiar catch phrases or Popeye’s hysterical laughter.  What we do get is some okay sound effects and a soundtrack that gets way too repetitive. 

Difficulty: Medium
This could have been a very easy game but the awful controls make up the biggest challenge you’ll face throughout the game.  Watch as a simple jump becomes a troublesome feat and how fast you’ll have the car you’re driving disappear without a moment’s notice.  The opponent AI is also clumsy to the point that sometimes your fellow racers get stuck in a trap.

Concept: 6.0
Okay, so the game’s story isn’t exactly “Othello” but with an odd premise like this even younger gamers will be scratching their heads.  Then again the story mode’s races provide enough unlockable extras such as new maps (Ghost Island being among the coolest) and an extra game mode to make us ignore the story and play Adventure mode for the extras.

Multiplayer: 5.9
Racing against a friend certainly does wonders for the game since you can team up with a friend to take your opponents out or race against a friend for a better challenge.  Sadly, the game missed out on a four-player option seeing as the game has four main characters.

Overall: 5.0
Sorry, Popeye, but Race for Spinach lacks a number of things that could have made this one a genuinely satisfying and madcap racing game.  With very little to offer in terms of level diversity, an actual story for the game’s Adventure mode and some jerky control issues, the fun just doesn’t last for very long.