Konami of America will release The Grinch, a game based on Dr. Seuss' classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The game, developed by Universal Interactive Studios, seeks to reinterpret the classic narrative by incorporating elements from the upcoming live-action film and the original story.

　　From a third-person perspective, you take control of the ghastly Grinch and his faithful dog, Max, and guide them through the small town of Whoville and its surrounding environs, helping them spread a most Seussian brand of holiday blight.

　　The Grinch's repertoire of moves is typical of what you'd expect to find in a platform/adventure: Aside from the now ubiquitous "butt pound," the Grinch is armed with a breath weapon and a variety of vile gadgets, including a snot shooter, of sorts, and a Grinch-copter, which allows for some zippy movement within levels.

　　The Grinch's faithful hound, Max, also factors into the gameplay. Acting as a fetcher and a scout, Max can squeeze into areas too tight for the Grinch and, presumably, retrieve key objects, flick switches, and the like.

　　Being the damnable wretch that he is, assaults of affection will have very detrimental effects on the Grinch. While some hooligans (and law enforcement officials) will crassly bomb the Grinch with projectiles, some naïve, tender youths will actually run up to the Grinch and hug him - and inflict upon him identical detrimental effects!

　　The action in The Grinch is largely mission-based, and each level contains a list of atrocities that must be committed in order to complete it. The levels seem thoughtfully designed, for the most part, and possessed of a marked Seussian style. Physically, they seem to sprawl in all directions, encouraging abandoned exploration in addition to the smashing of gifts, razing of snowmen, and what have you.

　　The Grinch is scheduled for an October 2000 release. Keep your eyes on this spot for a full review come the game's release.