Play E.t. The Extra-terrestrial (e)(blizzard) Online

I remember picking up E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial for the Game Boy Advance back in 2002. It was developed by Blizzard, which was a bit of a surprise since they were known for other things. This was during that era where every movie seemed to get a portable adaptation, and this one landed right in the middle of the GBA's life.

In the game, you control Elliott, the boy from the film, guiding him through a series of side scrolling levels. Your main goal is to help E.T. return home by collecting pieces of his communicator scattered across different environments, from suburban backyards to government facilities. The gameplay involves a lot of exploration, screen by screen, while avoiding scientists and FBI agents who patrol the areas. You also solve simple environmental puzzles, like finding keys or moving objects, to access new zones. The pacing is deliberate, sometimes slow, and the controls can feel a bit stiff, making some of the platforming sections tricky. It feels like a straightforward, if occasionally clunky, effort to translate the movie's charm into a basic adventure game.