Over the years, a number of developers have worked to bring the Metroid style to licensed properties. On the DS, Griptonite Games made solid efforts to bring it to Spider-Man games. WayForward also did the same thing to the Aliens series on DS last year. For the animated release Hotel Transylvania, WayForward is taking another crack at merging licensed properties with beloved Metroid mechanics.

But, since Hotel Translyvania is ostensibly a movie for children, the game feels very much like a Metroidvania game for kids. You control Mavis, the daughter of Dracula who is celebrating her 118th birthday. However, problems arise, and her distracted father won't listen to her issues. Instead, he sends her on odd quests that involve her going all over the castle.

As you progress through the game, you acquire new abilities. At the outset, you just have a jump, which you can use to jump on enemies to defeat them. Over time, you obtain a lighting projectile attack, a beam that freezes enemies so you can use them as stepping stones, and more. The progression is steady, but the difficulty does seem to skew pretty low.

If you're an experienced Metroid and Castlevania player, Hotel Transylvania will be a easy walk-in-the-park. However, for its intended audience (kids), this game might just be the best gateway to introduce them to Symphony of the Night and Super Metroid.

Hotel Transylvania comes out on DS and 3DS on September 18.

Note: I played the DS version. The screens are from the 3DS version, which appears to be the same game with an added 3D effect and possibly improved graphics.