Despite what some may have you believe, the vast variety of titles the South Park franchise has offered to the videogames industry isn’t all bad. The original Nintendo 64 release, simply known as South Park, was actually an enjoyably comedic first-person shooter (FPS) famously based on the Turok 2 engine. That was followed by South Park racing and South Park: Chef’s Luv Shack, the former playing on a popular genre and the second helping to create one. All that happened over a decade ago, and more recent releases have faired just as well.
This latest title, South Park: Tenorman’s Revenge, follows the well received South Park: Let’s Go Tower Defense Play! As an Xbox LIVE Arcade exclusive release. Based specifically on a single episode of the animated series, South Park: Tenorman’s Revenge is a videogame designed for the fans. And 
of course, that same core audience will insist there’s nothing wrong with that. Quickly warming the to position of the videogame as almost an episode in it’s own right, South Park: Tenorman’s Revenge is clearly a product born of love for the subject matter.
The videogame wears it’s inspiration on its sleeve: South Park: Tenorman’s Revenge is arguably New Super Mario Bros. Wii developed for an adult audience already experienced in the conventions of videogame playing. Up to four players can play simultaneously in either online or local matches (but not a combination of both unfortunately) with each of the four main characters available to play. Each character has their own special move, which can be used to access special areas or shortcuts to the end of the level. Players must work together in order to progress through the levels while at the same time competing for points. It’s the same co-operative competition that the likes of New Super Mario Bros. Wii and LEGO Star Wars: The Videogame championed, though here there is far less emphasis on the score, and as such far less reason to compete.
More successful is the level design, which has players moving back-and-forth across the 2D plane in order to find the correct route. Earlier paths are rarely re-trodden – aside from as a result of player error – though as with the 2D Metroid adventures, there are occasionally areas that can only be accessed once having passed beyond and 
returned after solving a logistical puzzle. Players can gather a small number of limited-use weapons to take on enemies in the levels, and to assist one another overcome obstacles. There are also the superhero alter egos, which once again provide further options for players to access shortcuts and hidden bonuses: South Park: Tenorman’s Revenge is nothing if not open to reliability, with many alternate paths just waiting to be found.
Despite never coming close to pushing the hardware, South Park: Tenorman’s Revenge is a visual treat. Moving from in-game to cutscene without a even moment’s pause, South Park: Tenorman’s Revenge perfectly interprets the television’s distinctive character and
relays it in a well paced interactive South Park product. Of course, given this respect of the original product the voice acting is also of a very high quality, with most characters indistinguishable from their television counterparts.
FPS, racing, quiz and mini-game compilation, tower defence and now, finally, platform videogames; South Park: Tenorman’s Revenge is the latest in a long line of varied experiences from the hugely popular franchise, and as would be expected, it remains just as enticing. Gamers can play South Park: Tenorman’s Revenge without prior knowledge of the episode which marks the titular Scott Tenorman’s debut – or even the series itself – but to do so would lead to missing-out on a wealth of in-jokes. South Park: Tenorman’s Revenge is simply a product designed for the millions of South Park fans worldwide, gifting them both an extension of their beloved franchise and a new platform challenge to boot. It may not be strikingly original, but South Park: Tenorman’s Revenge remains a wholly enjoyable interactive adaptation.
 
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