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Ducks. There are loads of the little blighters. Coots, Moorhens, Great Crested Grebes and Shovel Feet Toenail Clampers are my personal favourites, but has anyone ever heard of a Maui Mallard? More chance of finding the Toenail Clamper if you ask me. But the people at Disney have searched the length and breadth of the paradise island of Hawaii to find one. Anyway, this island has a sacred Mojo idol (which is shaped as a small rectangle and comes in four tangy fruit flavours). If the idol is removed, the gods of Hawaii's sweet and confectionery land will go potty, and they'll start a volcanic sherbert fountain to destroy the people. Only one duck can save them.

The duck in question is actually Donald, who has earned a new title for his latest platform game. Following on from World Of Illusion (but without Mickey) Donald goes in search of the lost idol Shabuhm Shabuhm, which has been mysteriously stolen. Cutesy graphics and platform-related malarky are guaranteed in the typical Disney glory. Hurrah!

Another platformer with lovely graphics from the guys and gals down at Disney.

C'mon, it's Disney, and it's a platformer. Need we say more?

During the course of the game you'll undoubtedly collect the range of available weapons. By pressing 'A' you'll cycle through and check the remaining firepower of what you've obtained. All of them can be used on their own, but sometimes you can also combine them for some extra special ammo. For the biggest and bestest gun, use all three and you'll get a mega bomb thingy.

Whilst going about your business, you'll bump into the black magic practising, face paint weaing, head shrinking voodoo men. Some of whom look suspiciously like Marcus (only kidding). These will cast spells on you which you'll actually need to progress.

One will give you the ability to be a ninja, the other will shrink you to ant size to get through the small passages.

The second level takes place in the Ninja Training Camp where, thanks to a curious spell inflicted by the voodoo people, you have the ability to turn into a Ninja, a la Joe Mushai. Remember that if you are stuck, Donald can perform a couple of natty tricks with his ninja gear.

Look out for some hooks on the ceiling which Donald can grab onto using his pole and swing about on. He can also use his pole as a balance to climb up narrow passageways.

Now, at first I thought this was one of the dullest games I had ever played. I got so bored and frustrated with the controls that I turned it off. But then I found out I had to review it, so I played it, and played it, and played it and now I think it's brilliant!

And get this: it's a tough Disney platformer! Shock, horror. The graphics are undeniably excellent with lots of attention paid to small details, the tunes are snappy and the animation is excellent. Another useful factor in my view is that it is playable too, without being tedious.

My only complaint is that there aren't too many original features, which in this type of game is a bit of a problem.

Cynical licence exploitation makes for half-playable game. Who'd have thought it? Maui Mallard bounces along in typically chirpy Disney style, with special attention clearly having been paid to individual characters.

Donald himself is a treat, and I lost count of how many different frames of animation the little blighter went through as he was kicked from one side of the screen to the other.

Unfortunately, a little bit too much attention has been lavished on Donald, and his frantic body contortions can occasionally become a little distracting. Elsewhere, everything is as it should be - devious baddies, exotic locations, power-ups, secret rooms and a massive pipe organ that blows you up to the roof on jets of green steam. Excellent in the midst of all this finely crafted platform palava, only one nagging doubt remains - when will the market outgrow this sort of game?

Graphics 94%
P. Fantastic detail on sprites, backgrounds and presentation screens.

Animation 91%
P. Donald's many faces are all superbly animated.

Music 87%
P. Jazzy type tunes, which don't become irritating.

Effects 85%
P. The quacks and speech is clear.
N. But there could be more.

Playability 80%
P. Once you get in, you're hooked.
N. Very dull to start with.

Lastability 84%
P. It's quite challenging for a Disney game.
N. Passwords restrict long term play.

Overall 82%
Quite a good game on all counts, but is there still enough interest in this sort of title?