Zathura (video game)

Zathura
Developer(s)	High Voltage Software
Publisher(s)	2K
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2, Xbox
Release	NA: November 3, 2005[1] EU: January 27, 2006 AU: 2006 (PS2)
Genre(s)	Action-adventure game, platformer
Mode(s)	Single-player

Zathura is an action-adventure game developed by High Voltage Software and published by 2K for PlayStation 2 and Xbox in 2005. The game is based on the 2005 film Zathura: A Space Adventure, which, in turn, is an adaptation of the 2002 children's book Zathura by Chris Van Allsburg. The game was released on November 3, 2005, in the U.S. to coincide with the then-upcoming film's release on November 11. A Game Boy Advance version was planned, but was later canceled.

Gameplay

Zathura is a third-person action-adventure game. You play as brothers Danny and Walter as they navigate through space themed levels, battling enemies and solving puzzles to complete the Zathura board game and get back home.

The game is a mix of platforming and combat. You can switch between Danny and Walter, each with their own abilities. Walter is bigger and can move heavy objects, Danny is smaller and can fit in tight spaces. Zathura is designed for younger players with simple controls and easy difficulty but some platforming sections and camera issues can be tricky. You can complete the game in 2–3 hours.

Reception

Reception

Aggregate score

Aggregator	Score
	PS2	Xbox
Metacritic	43/100[2]	48/100[3]

Review scores

Publication	Score
	PS2	Xbox
4Players	17%[4]	17%[4]
GameSpot	5.6/10[5]	5.7/10[6]
IGN	3.4/10[7]	3.4/10[7]
Jeuxvideo.com	7/20[8]	N/A
PlayStation Official Magazine – UK	3/10[9]	N/A
Official Xbox Magazine (UK)	N/A	3/10[10]
PSM3	26%[11]	N/A
TeamXbox	N/A	6.7/10[12]
VideoGamer.com	3/10[13]	3/10[13]

The game received "unfavorable" reviews on both platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.^[2][3]

References

1. Sinclair, Brendan (November 3, 2005). "Zathura blasts off [date mislabeled as "November 17, 2005"]". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
2. "Zathura for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
3. "Zathura for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
4. Bischoff, Jens (February 25, 2006). "Test: Zathura". 4Players (in German). 4Players GmbH. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
5. Mueller, Greg (November 11, 2005). "Zathura Review (PS2) [date mislabeled as "May 17, 2006"]". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on April 20, 2006. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
6. Mueller, Greg (November 11, 2005). "Zathura Review (Xbox) [date mislabeled as "May 17, 2006"]". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on December 10, 2005. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
7. Onyett, Charles (November 9, 2005). "Zathura". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
8. Killy (January 30, 2006). "Test: Zathura (PS2)". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Webedia. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
9. "Zathura". Official UK PlayStation 2 Magazine. No. 70. Future plc. March 2006. p. 85.
10. OXMUK staff (March 24, 2006). "Xbox Review: Zathura". Computer and Video Games (Official Xbox Magazine UK). Future plc. Archived from the original on May 27, 2008. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
11. "Review: Zathura". PSM2. Future plc. April 2006. p. 73.
12. Fisher, Matthew (October 31, 2005). "Zathura Review (Xbox)". TeamXbox. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
13. Orry, Tom (February 6, 2006). "Zathura Review". VideoGamer.com. Resero Network. Archived from the original on November 13, 2014. Retrieved October 11, 2022.

External links

• Zathura at MobyGames