Tom and Jerry: The Magic Ring was released in 2001 to coincide with the release of an animated movie with the same name. I can't say I'd ever heard of it before, although I suppose this is hardly surprising, given its poor reception. The movie was released straight-to-video, this game really should have been released straight-to-garbage, because that's about all it's worth.
The game is a very basic beat 'em up style game that's clearly aimed at a younger audience, but kids are just as discerning gamers as anyone else, and the game leaves a bad impression, regardless of age. The plot makes very little sense at all, and the mechanics are just dreadful. Neither Tom nor Jerry can do more than paw ineffectually at the multitude of enemies standing in their way, and the collectible weapons are equally rubbish, thanks to some really bad collision detection.
On the subject of collision, the Z axis calculations are really out of whack. It's possible to get hit by enemies and hazards halfway up the screen, and some of your own attacks, notably the bombs in the sewer level, actually damage the player when caught in the blast.
The only saving grace here is the animation which, admittedly, is pretty decent, but this alone fails to make up for the litany of failings elsewhere. Tom and Jerry: The Magic Ring just isn't very good and is a game best avoided.
Developer: Cave Barn Studios
Publisher: NewKidCo
Year of Release: 2001
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