Noddy: A day in Toyland is a cute GameBoy Advance game based on the popular animated series that is currently available on PBS in the States, and other broadcast outlets in many other countries. This particular version of Noddy is the European release.

And cute it is! The graphics in the game are some of the best I’ve seen on the GBA, and capture the look of the CGI graphics of the Noddy show very nicely. The whole look of the game is charming. The various levels are drawn in great detail and each scene is very bright and cheery. The characters all look like their counterparts in the shows, and are also animated well.

There are several different levels in the game, each of which can be accessed independently from the beginning of the game. These levels consist of two basic types of gameplay: a simple platforming style of play and an arcade racing game that scrolls from left to right. The platform levels are the predominant style of most of the levels. In the platform levels, Noddy will jump to different platforms, collecting items like coins, life points and sometimes level-specific items, such as missing items that his friends may need. The first levels are very easy and don’t have any hazards, but the enemies soon begin to proliferate in the later levels. The racing levels are pretty much the same each time, with increasing road hazards in progressive levels.

The interface is designed exactly right for children, and allows instant access to all levels, regardless of whether they’ve been completed or not. This alleviates the need to save the current game. It is very easy to quit a game and begin another level, too. There are three difficulty levels.

However, the actual gameplay isn’t designed as well as the interface or the graphic details. The platform levels aren’t too difficult, but Noddy’s jumping leaves a bit to be desired. The main problem, though, is that all of the platform levels are the same, just with different localities and hazards. The racing levels are the same, too. While young children like repetition, this seems like wasted opportunities. Some of the levels could have been designed a bit differently, especially the ones that required Noddy to fetch things. A few easy mini-games would have been great, like some jigsaw puzzles and matching games.

The car races are a bit difficult for preschoolers, too. The road hazards are sometimes unavoidable, and if no life points have been collected, when they run out, the level has to be started over again.

This is a fairly decent game for preschoolers, with a wonderful presentation of the look and feel of the Noddy show. But, the gameplay is only average. The interface makes up for this somewhat, by allowing the kids to play all the levels anytime they like, but some of the levels may be a bit out of reach of their skill level, even on the easy setting.

If your family has any young Noddy fans, this may be the ticket. Just be prepared to help a little with the car racing.

Gameplay: 6.0
The gameplay is designed well enough, with no frustrating elements for young children, but the levels are all the same. The car racing is a little too hard at times, though, and may cause some young players problems. Also, there really should have been a few, easy preschool-type mini-games.

Graphics: 9.0
Everything looks wonderful! The characters are adorable, and the scenes are very detailed. The animation is great. It all looks very “Noddy!”

Sound: 8.0
The sound is also very like the show, and is pleasing in and of itself. Parents will appreciate it!

Difficulty: Medium
The platform levels aren’t too difficult, but the racing is hard at times. The last platform levels have more hazards than the first few levels.

Concept: 6.0
It’s all been done before, but the presentation is good enough.

Overall: 7.0
A decent game for preschoolers, in a limited field. However, more could have been done with this program.