Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Surf’s Up delivers a surf-and-turf racing experience that’s both easy to pick up and surprisingly deep. You start by selecting your favorite penguin or supporting character from the film, each with unique stats in speed, agility and trick potential. Once you’ve chosen your board—ranging from speedy cruisers to trick-friendly longboards—you hit the water to compete in a series of increasingly challenging races across vibrant island locales.

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On the DS, tricks are executed by drawing shapes with the stylus, rewarding precision and creativity. Meanwhile, PSP players will find a satisfying rhythm game in the button-combo trick system. Either method, when mastered, grants a well-timed speed boost that can turn the tide of a close race. This dual control scheme caters to different playstyles and keeps each platform feeling fresh.

Track design is a highlight: sprawling beaches, rocky coves and bustling boardwalks hide shortcuts and environmental hazards. You’ll dodge barrels, ride ramps and even harness wave currents to slingshot past opponents. Scattered throughout are power-ups—boost pads, slippery oil slicks and cheeky distractions—that add a layer of strategy. Whether you’re chasing first place solo or duking it out in local multiplayer, the fluidity of Surf’s Up races keeps the adrenaline pumping.

Graphics

Visually, Surf’s Up faithfully captures the film’s bright, cartoon-inspired aesthetic. Character models pop with personality, sporting the witty facial expressions and exaggerated flipper gestures we loved on the big screen. The surfboards themselves gleam under the sun, detailed with colorful decals that unlock as you progress.

On the PSP, textures are crisp and frame rates stay impressively smooth, making high-speed chases feel cinematic. Water effects—sprays, splashes and realistic-looking waves—add a dynamic sheen to each course. The DS version, despite its lower resolution, stays charming with bold outlines and vibrant hues. Occasional sprite pop-in is forgivable when you consider the platform’s hardware limits.

Environmental variety shines through in both versions. Golden shorelines fade into luminescent lagoons at dusk, and festive beachfront towns light up with tiki torches as night falls. All told, the game’s colorful presentation and faithful nods to the original CGI movie deliver an immersive visual treat on two very different handhelds.

Story

Surf’s Up loosely adapts the film’s underdog tale, framing each race as part of a global surfing competition. You step into the webbed feet of Cody Maverick, the plucky penguin striving to prove himself against seasoned pros. Between races you’re treated to short cutscenes that echo key movie moments—humorous pep talks, training montages and antagonist trash-talk—all delivered with the original characters’ attitudes intact.

While the handheld medium limits full voice-overs, text dialogue is snappy and on-brand, recreating the film’s humor in bite-sized exchanges. You’ll team up with Chicken Joe for goofy side quests and face off against tank-topped villains in head-to-head showdowns. The narrative pacing keeps you motivated to unlock new stages, with each victory feeling like a step closer to the climactic Grand Slam finale.

Though the story isn’t as fleshed out as a console or PC adventure, it provides ample context for the racing action. Fans of the movie will appreciate seeing familiar faces and inside jokes, while newcomers get a lighthearted plot that never overstays its welcome.

Overall Experience

Surf’s Up strikes a comfortable balance between casual fun and competitive depth. Novice players will enjoy breezing through early races, while completionists can hunt down every board upgrade, character skin and hidden shortcut. The trick-combo systems on both DS and PSP offer a satisfying mastery curve that keeps you engaged beyond the first few hours.

Local multiplayer—via download play on DS or ad-hoc wireless on PSP—adds replay value, turning friendly beach parties into surf-board smackdowns. Even without an internet connection, you can challenge friends to split-screen style races that deliver plenty of laughs and rivalry. For solo adventurers, the single-player cups provide a steady stream of events and unlockables to chase.

Overall, Surf’s Up on DS and PSP is an entertaining portable racer that captures the spirit of its source material. With vibrant graphics, solid controls and a playful story, it’s well suited for families, movie fans and handheld enthusiasts looking for pick-up-and-play thrills. If you’re seeking a sun-soaked racing game with personality and replayability, Surf’s Up is definitely worth catching a wave for.

Retro Replay Score

6.2/10