A Look At : Looney Tunes Galactic Sports

It’s no secret that I enjoy many games that are considered “crap” (rated average or below by critics), and sometimes even those labeled as shovelware.

But is this one of them?

Say Hello To Looney Tunes Galactic Sports…

Galactic Sports was a very welcome addition to my Vita game library, especially considering there’s been a lack of both licensed cartoon games and mini-game collections on the platform. Yup, that’s exactly what this game is—a collection of mini-games, and a fairly small one at that, I might add.

Looney Tunes Galactic Sports looks great, and I have no complaints about the presentation. It feels solid right from the start, not like a cash grab—though it does have its issues, which I’ll get into later in the article.

The game features a level upgrade/progression system, and it works well, adding a bit of tension as the difficulty increases. When that happens, the only option is to grind a little—but thankfully, it’s not an endless grind. The characters are unlocked for free, but weapons require in-game currency and are unlocked at specific levels.

There are plenty of tournaments to keep you busy for a few hours, and the replayability of some is quite strong. Best of all, once you complete them all, you unlock an entirely new section of the game, which is more challenging. Each tournament has its own difficulty level and a variety of mini-games.

The Space Race mode is pretty straightforward and has a feel similar to many mobile endless runner games. However, this one can be controlled using analog sticks, the D-Pad, or the touchscreen. It’s a lap-based race with the typical jump and slide mechanics, and it works quite well. The draw distance is fine, and the tracks are well-designed, though they do start to feel a bit repetitive after a little bit of time.

The next mini-game is Space Golf, which again features great design and solid controls—nothing here feels rushed. The objective is to sink a hole, but there are plenty of obstacles and hazards along the way. This part is also filled with bonuses, which you’ll want to grab to shorten the grind toward the end of the game. I’m really impressed with how the developer utilized both proper controls and the touchscreen, making them optional for players.

Next up is Space Boxing, which is nicely presented, and once again, the controls and responsiveness work flawlessly. Boxing games can often feel slow or frustrating, but this mini-game is enjoyable and well-executed. The first few levels are fairly easy, but the final one was actually “almost” a bit challenging. However, since you’re only required to earn a bronze medal, it’s still achievable without too much effort.

Next is Galactic Archery. This is the one event in the game that feels frustrating and a bit annoying. The controls technically work, but they’re cumbersome and take up too much space as you control the aim using the six-axis motion sensor. Definitely avoid playing this one in a plane, bus, or car. It took me a while to figure out the point system, but after a few attempts, I realized it’s color-based—red boxes give the most points, while blue gives the least, and so on.

Next up is Aquatic Sport, which is actually pretty fun. You navigate a small “boat” and collect numbered items in sequence, which can present some challenges. The level takes place in a small pool, with a maximum of four players. You start with a standard weapon—plus any others you unlock through progression—and that weapon is a boxing glove. You can use it to hit other players, and if you manage to land a hit (which is tricky), they’ll drop the items they’re carrying. So, it’s a good idea to cash in your items periodically to avoid losing them.

The final mini-game is Trap Shooting, an “on-rails shooter,” which means the vehicle follows a set path and you can only control your aim. You fly along the predetermined route, with enemies appearing in front of you, and your main concern is not shooting the red spaceship. It works well, with good graphics and responsive controls. Various power-ups, unlocked through the level progression system, make this event easier to handle. If you get stuck, you can grind through an easier event like Space Golf to earn enough points for a new power-up.

So there you have it—if you’re looking for a mini-game collection, this is a solid choice. I’m hopeful there will be more licensed games for the Vita. I still need to grab that Muppets game that came out a while back, but I’ll pick it up soon since it’s made by the same developer, Virtual Toys.

There are two major downsides to this game, though: the price is too high, and it lacks a platinum trophy. I don’t understand why both this game and the Muppets one didn’t get platinum trophies, as both are substantial and varied enough to warrant 25+ trophies.

Edit: Stop the presses—I found another flaw! The multiplayer option is limited to ad-hoc only, with no local or online multiplayer. The most frustrating part is that there’s a trophy tied to playing multiplayer, which means the game will forever sit at 95% completion or something like that.

Thanks for your time.