Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The Wild on Game Boy Advance delivers a classic side-scrolling platformer experience that’s both accessible and surprisingly deep for its young target audience. Players alternate between two protagonists—Samson the lion and Benny the squirrel—each offering distinct abilities. Samson boasts powerful roars and strong ground attacks, while Benny can leap higher and cling to narrow ledges, making replaying levels with both characters a fun challenge.

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Progression is structured around 19 story episodes, but before unlocking each chapter, players must tackle solo missions. These tasks range from timed obstacle courses to simple puzzle challenges, providing variety and breaking up the main adventure nicely. While some missions feel repetitive, they help reinforce level mechanics and encourage players to master each character’s unique moves.

Controls are tight and responsive, especially given the limitations of the GBA’s D-pad and two-button layout. Jumping, attacking, and special actions like Samson’s roar all register without lag. However, some platforming sections demand pixel-perfect timing, which may frustrate younger gamers. Thankfully, generous checkpoint placement reduces trial-and-error fatigue.

Graphics

Graphically, The Wild offers colorful and well-animated sprites that capture the spirit of the Disney movie. Environments vary from lush savannahs to shadowy canyons, each stage featuring vibrant backgrounds and foreground elements that layer convincingly on the GBA’s limited palette. Character sprites are expressive, with fluid animations that bring Samson’s mighty roar and Benny’s agile flips to life.

Despite the hardware constraints, the developers squeezed out impressive details, like subtle parallax scrolling in forest levels and dynamic weather effects that darken the sky during stormy scenes. Occasional flicker is present when too many objects appear on-screen simultaneously, but it rarely hampers gameplay or detracts from the overall visual appeal.

Cutscenes between episodes use static comic-book–style panels rather than full-motion animations, yet they effectively convey the story beats and humor of the original film. While not groundbreaking, the art direction is consistently charming and well-suited to a younger demographic, ensuring The Wild stands out among other GBA platformers.

Story

In The Wild, you embark on a mission to rescue Ryan the lion after he abandons the zoo in search of authenticity, only to be captured by Kazar, the wildebeest king intent on reshaping the food chain. This premise borrows directly from the animated movie and delivers an engaging narrative that balances humor, action, and heartwarming father–son bonding moments.

The story unfolds across 19 episodes, each prefaced by text-based interludes and expressive character portraits. While the dialogue is simple, it effectively establishes motivations and stakes, keeping young players invested in Ryan’s fate. Samson’s paternal worry and Benny’s cheeky commentary add variety to the tone, preventing the narrative from feeling one-dimensional.

Boss encounters punctuate the storyline, from battling packs of hyenas to outsmarting Kazar’s elite guards. These multi-phase fights up the ante and require players to combine both characters’ skill sets. Though the plot stays linear, occasional branching paths in later stages offer a taste of exploration, inviting a second playthrough to discover all hidden collectibles and side challenges.

Overall Experience

The Wild on Game Boy Advance is a charming, family-friendly platformer that does justice to its Disney license. Its clear level design, responsive controls, and dual-character mechanic provide a balanced mix of challenge and accessibility. Younger gamers will appreciate the forgiving checkpoints, while seasoned platformer fans may find enough depth to polish their timing and strategies.

Replay value is boosted by the battery-backed save system, which supports up to three files, allowing multiple players or playstyles to coexist. Collectibles and optional tasks in solo missions encourage thorough exploration and add a layer of completionism for dedicated players. Though the overall difficulty remains moderate, secret areas and tougher solo missions offer optional gauntlets.

For parents and guardians seeking a safe, entertaining purchase for their children, The Wild hits all the right notes: engaging gameplay, bright and appealing graphics, and a wholesome storyline. While it may not revolutionize the genre, it provides solid value and a satisfying adventure that captures the heart of the original animated film.

Retro Replay Score

6.1/10