Review of “Sabrina: The Animated Series – Zapped!”

Walking into this game is like stepping into a time machine back to the chaotic, neon-colored world of the late 90s. So here I am, staring at a screen with the name “Wayforward” slapped across it. For any retro gamer, this conjures up memories of classic 2D adventures, the kind you’d find on handhelds that made waiting rooms and road trips bearable. You know, the River City Girls and Shantae type of deal. But what if I told you, nestled among these icons, there’s this quirky gem called Sabrina: The Animated Series – Zapped on the Game Boy Color? Yup, it’s real.

Based on that Saturday morning cartoon—a bit of nostalgia whiplash right there—you’re Sabrina, the teenage witch who has, in typical Sabrina fashion, botched a spell and turned all her pals into, well, a zoo. Seriously. They’re now animals, and your job is to bounce on their heads to zap them back to humanity. Yep, you read that right. As you fumble along, you pick up new tricks like hopping twice as high or taking control of Salem, the snarky cat, because who doesn’t need a sassy feline sidekick in their life? Some levels even let you float bubbliness, which frankly, sounds cooler than it is.

Speaking of levels, they’re kind of a mixed bag. Like, you know, rummaging through a grab bag with one eye closed—some gems, some meh. I mean, there’s this tall level that’s all about using that bubble thing to float up. Kinda clever. Meanwhile, another has you crawling around as Salem, unlocking powers like some furry Houdini. It’s classic Game Boy Color charm at its finest: colorful, big sprites, just enough challenge to keep it interesting, but nothing that’ll fry your last brain cell.

Now, you’ve gotta deal with the quirks that come with using that brick-like, single-buttoned console. Ever try to cast a spell only to end up face-first into an enemy? Yeah, it happens. They decided to give the B-button double duty, and it’s as awkward as it sounds. Typical of a game spun off from a TV show, you’d think it’d be a train wreck, but surprisingly—nope, it kind of works? Let’s not kid ourselves, it’s not groundbreaking, won’t change your life, and it’s not Shantae, but hey—it’s got charm. If you’re up for a trip down memory lane, just know the spell’s not permanent. But a quick visit? Totally worth it.