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There is a saying that 'nanny knows best'. In the case of the Addams Family hired help, Debbie Jellinksy, knowing extends to babe-napping, extortion, and hi-jacking the Addams' vast estate. It all started when Morticia dropped. Out popped Pubert, a right little Addams with fully grown moustache - a little replica of his father Gomez.

As Wednesday and Puggsley become prone to playing 'chicken' with the new arrival, Jellinksy is hired to look after the little bundle of misery. She quickly seduces Uncle Fester, marries him and seizes the Addams estate. The now dispossessed family are relying on Fester to find his way back into the mansion and give Jellinksy her marching orders. But the vast grounds around the mansion have been seeded with their 'pets' which makes it a hellish task.

Converted closely from a SNES original, based on the hit sequel movie of 1993.

Rescue baby Pubert from the mansion by exploring the vast grounds of the estate.

Chez Addams is made up of nine different scenic areas viewed plan fashion and linked by all manner of funnels, passages, even an underground rail system! Progress through these in a northerly fashion leads to the mansion interior, and Jellinksy's fiercest cohorts.

Consorting with your rellies is an essential part of the game. Sister-in-law Morticia is useful for clues, and also responds to some darkly romantic gifts. Gomez normally pops up to send you in the right direction, and frequent vists will be made to Granny for her unhealthy cookies. The kids know the grounds better than anyone else, if only you can find them.

Fester relies on his feisty finger to deal with the warped wildlife found in each area. It contains an inexhaustible charge of zapping power, that repels or destroys. Unfortunately as Fester himself weakens, through enemy attacks, the range of the zapper decreases. There are other weapons to locate to supplement the zapper, like small rocks or plant seeds. Supplies of them must be replaced frequently.

The basis for much of Addams Family Values is finding the right object to deal with the right problem. Characters in the game demand help, like the Phweep who begs you to find his voice. They in turn offer objects of their own. Being a twisted sort of environment, you should never take requests on face value, as giving things to the wrong sorts can land you deeper in the, er, mire.

If you can just about recall the cinema release of Addams Family Values (by hypnotic regression into a past life) you'll know this game has the flimsiest links to the movie plot. Despite that, it's a highly enjoyable twist on the adventure genre, and possesses quite a few original features.

I'm not so sure about some of the large open plan levels, though, as they're usually sparsely populated and a bit of a chore to trudge through.

The game really picks up though when you enter the maze-levels underground as the game takes shape. Plenty here to keep you amused for weeks.

Addams Family Values is a welcome break from platform fodder - the game of the original film was a distinct non-event. However, it works better as an idea than a reality. At first it holds the promise of a Soleil style arcade adventure with lots of action, but the puzzle part consists of shuttling objects across a huge landscape.

The game's lack of linearity is a weakness as well as a strength, as you are often left with no clue of where to go next.

On the other hand, it has the merits of pretty graphics, nice plot twists and a fair level of challenge, plus it's a bit of a one-off as far as adventures go. If you fancy sitting down to a scalp-scratcher, Addams Family Values is worthy of serious consideration.

Graphics 79%
P. Varying background graphics of a generally high standard.
N. Really bad sprite animation.

Sound 80%
P. Spooky music worthy of any Hammer horror.
N. Rather lacking in the FX department.

Playability 72%
P. Freedom to roam about, and a balance of puzzle and action gameplay.
N. Too much time trekking back and forward to exchange items.

Lastability 77%
P. Tough on the brain and equally demanding on the reflexes. Addams should take a while to crack. There's also a firm objective to spur you on.

Value For Money 75%
P. There's not much competition in the field.

Overall 74%
One for people who like to fold their jim jams. Sometimes tedious, sometimes fun - a bit of a Curate's egg... but by no means a parson's nose.