Throughout Kung Fu Panda NPCs offer sub-quests that provide additional currency as well as the key to unlocking the game’s Achievement Points. These range from rescuing a certain number of hostages to protecting valuable treasures in a temple. While the bulk of the game is focused on action-oriented combat and platforming, there are occasional ‘vehicle’ based sequences (surfing a turtle, being carried by a crane) where the player must navigate environmental hazards while making their way to the next destination.

During his journey, Po encounters members of the Furious Five, an elite fighting squad charged with protecting the Valley. Each member of the Five (Mantis, Monkey, Tigress, Viper and Crane) felt their destiny was to become the Dragon Warrior, however, it is evident that Po is the true heir apparent as it doesn’t take long for the Furious Five to get captured by Tai Lung. Po must then liberate his heroes and fight by their side. At several times throughout the single player campaign, control will switch from Po to a member of the Five (or his master Shifu) and the player will engage in a timed button-press mini-game. As the game progresses, the complexity of these mini-games increases with the player confronted with longer sequences of button presses that must be timed perfectly in order to proceed.

The entire adventure lasts roughly 5 – 6 hours. Adding longevity to the game is a number of hidden Jade coins that are scattered throughout each level. Finding these coins opens up more features, including additional multiplayer minigames, art galleries and alternate costumes.

Panda also features a well-stocked selection of multiplayer mini-games. The multiplayer is purely local, no online support included, and most of the games can be played by with 2 – 4 players. There is a nice compliment of game types with some traditional brawler stages (similar in scope to Super Smash Brothers) as well as head-to-head contests such as target smash events. There are also some mini-games based around popular puzzle and board games like Bejeweled and Mah-Jong.

So, you’ve seen the movie, should you play the game?