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Tak 2

Topic: Software

 From HandWiki - Reading time: 14 min

Short description: 2004 video game
Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams
Developer(s)Avalanche Software (GCN, PS2, Xbox)
Helixe (GBA)
Publisher(s)THQ
Producer(s)Nickelodeon
Writer(s)Randolph Heard
SeriesTak
Platform(s)
Release
  • NA: October 11, 2004
  • AU: March 11, 2005[1]
  • EU: March 24, 2005
Genre(s)Action-adventure, platformer
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams is an action-adventure platform video game developed by Avalanche Software and published by THQ for the GameCube, Game Boy Advance, PlayStation 2 and Xbox. It is the sequel to Tak and the Power of Juju and is the second installment of the Tak and the Power of Juju series. The PS2 version was ported to PlayStation Network as a "PS2 Classic" on November 29, 2011, but it was later taken off the store due to THQ's bankruptcy in 2013.

Plot

Following the events of the first game, Tak is trapped in the Dream World as Jibolba and Lok ponder how to awaken him. The Dream Juju tells Tak that he must fight the Dream Guardian and retrieve the Staff of Dreams to escape the Dream World.

During his quest, Tak periodically escapes the Dream World via rifts, enabling Jibolba to accompany him. The two rescue Jibolba's brother JB, who helps Tak enter the tower where the Dream Guardian resides.

Tak obtains the Staff of Dreams, but the Dream Juju reveals himself to be his old enemy Tlaloc and the princess to be his henchmen, Pins and Needles. Tlaloc obtains half of the staff, the Staff of Nightmares, while Tak gets the other, the Dream Shaker. This power causes all to enter the real world, and Pins, Needles, and Tlaloc escape. Tak chases them, but is knocked out.

The Moon Juju visits Tak and empowers him to battle the villains. Tlaloc is killed in battle, but he returns as a nightmare creature and transforms into a monster resembling the Dream Guardian. After Tak defeats Tlaloc, the Dream Guardian returns him to the real world. Afterwards, Jibolba and Lok wake Tak up, telling him that the previous events were a dream. The three walk off while being spied on by a sheep from Tlaloc's army.

Gameplay

The gameplay is almost identical to the first game, with differences being that Tak's weapon is not always on hand, and that mana is represented by a meter and not a feather count. Tak gets aid from animals, a number of which did not appear in the first game. In this game, Tak's juju magic is triggered by holding down one button and pressing combos of other buttons. Tak also earns juju powers gradually throughout the game instead of having to seek them out.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
GBAGCPS2Xbox
Game InformerN/A7.25/10[2]7.25/10[2]7.25/10[2]
GameSpotN/A6.7/10[3]6.7/10[3]6.7/10[3]
GameSpyN/AStarStarStarHalf star[4]StarStarStarHalf star[4]StarStarStarHalf star[4]
GameZoneN/A8.8/10[5]8.3/10[6]7.9/10[7]
IGN5.5/10[8]8.4/10[9]8.4/10[9]8.4/10[9]
Jeuxvideo.com11/20[10]14/20[11]14/20[11]14/20[11]
Nintendo PowerN/A4.2/5[12]N/AN/A
OPM (US)N/AN/AStarStarStarHalf star[13]N/A
OXM (US)N/AN/AN/A7.6/10[14]
X-PlayN/AStarStarStar[15]StarStarStar[15]N/A
The Sydney Morning HeraldN/AStarStarHalf star[16]StarStarHalf star[16]StarStarHalf star[16]
Aggregate scores
GameRankings56%[17]75.48%[18]72.87%[19]75.34%[20]
Metacritic45/100[21]75/100[22]71/100[23]73/100[24]

Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams was given "generally favorable reviews" for the GameCube version, "mixed or average reviews" for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions, and "generally unfavorable reviews" for the Game Boy Advance version, according to Metacritic.[21][22][23][24]

The game shipped nearly 1 million units.[25]

Sequel

Main article: Software:Tak: The Great Juju Challenge

A third sequel to the series, titled Software:Tak: The Great Juju Challenge was released for the GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2 and Xbox in 2005.[26]

References

  1. ↑ van Leuveren, Luke (December 5, 2004). "Updated Australian Release List - 05/12/2004". PAL Gaming Network. http://www.palgn.com.au/article.php?id=1815&sid=5abf70d1b5756b6755173fa82fed0ff8. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Mason, Lisa (November 2004). "Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams (GC, PS2, Xbox)". Game Informer (GameStop) (139): 146. http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200411/R04.1118.1720.48934.htm. Retrieved October 16, 2019. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Davis, Ryan (October 22, 2004). "Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams Review (GC, PS2, Xbox)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tak-2-the-staff-of-dreams-review/1900-6111258/. Retrieved October 15, 2019. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "GameSpy: Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams (GCN, PS2, Xbox)". IGN Entertainment. November 9, 2004. http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/tak-2-the-staff-of-dreams/564846p1.html. Retrieved October 15, 2019. 
  5. ↑ Romano, Natalie (October 30, 2004). "Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams - GC - Review". Archived from the original on June 6, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090606162340/http://gamecube.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r23912.htm. Retrieved October 15, 2019. 
  6. ↑ The Bearer (November 1, 2004). "Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams - PS2 - Review". Archived from the original on October 11, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081011231805/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r23912.htm. Retrieved October 15, 2019. 
  7. ↑ Bedigian, Louis (November 1, 2004). "Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams - XB - Review". Archived from the original on May 22, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090522222456/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r23912.htm. Retrieved October 15, 2019. 
  8. ↑ Harris, Craig (November 3, 2004). "Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams (GBA)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/11/04/tak-2-the-staff-of-dreams. Retrieved February 6, 2018. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Casamassina, Matt (October 11, 2004). "Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams (GCN, PS2, Xbox)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/10/11/tak-2-the-staff-of-dreams-4. Retrieved October 15, 2019. 
  10. ↑ Killy (March 31, 2005). "Test: Tak 2: Le Sceptre des Rêves (GBA)" (in French). Webedia. http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00005243_test.htm. Retrieved October 16, 2019. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Romendil (March 30, 2005). "Test: Tak 2: Le Sceptre des Rêves (NGC, PS2, Xbox)" (in French). Webedia. http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00005236_test.htm. Retrieved October 16, 2019. 
  12. ↑ "Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) 186: 146. December 2004. 
  13. ↑ "Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis): 106. January 2005. 
  14. ↑ "Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US): 82. December 2004. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Marriott, Scott Alan (October 27, 2004). "Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams Review (GC, PS2)". G4techTV. Archived from the original on December 5, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20041205141621/http://www.g4techtv.com/xplay/features/50143/Tak_2_The_Staff_of_Dreams_Review.html. Retrieved October 16, 2019. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Wilcox, Mike (April 9, 2005). "Tick, Tak, d'oh!". The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). Archived from the original on March 26, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170326022028/http://www.smh.com.au/news/Games/Tick-Tak-doh/2005/04/06/1112489536559.html. Retrieved October 15, 2019. 
  17. ↑ "Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams for Game Boy Advance". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on December 11, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161211120756/http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/920452-tak-2-the-staff-of-dreams/index.html. Retrieved July 24, 2020. 
  18. ↑ "Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams for GameCube". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 30, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160530052541/http://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/920451-tak-2-the-staff-of-dreams/index.html. Retrieved July 24, 2020. 
  19. ↑ "Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams for PlayStation 2". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on December 11, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161211121048/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/920450-tak-2-the-staff-of-dreams/index.html. Retrieved July 24, 2020. 
  20. ↑ "Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams for Xbox". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on July 18, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160718101528/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/920449-tak-2-the-staff-of-dreams/index.html. Retrieved July 24, 2020. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams Critic Reviews for Game Boy Advance". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/tak-2-the-staff-of-dreams/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance. Retrieved February 6, 2018. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams Critic Reviews for GameCube". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/tak-2-the-staff-of-dreams/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube. Retrieved February 6, 2018. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams Critic Reviews for PlayStation 2". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/tak-2-the-staff-of-dreams/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. Retrieved February 6, 2018. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams Critic Reviews for Xbox". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/tak-2-the-staff-of-dreams/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox. Retrieved February 6, 2018. 
  25. ↑ "THQ Reports Record Fiscal 2005 Third Quarter Results". February 2, 2005. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/thq-reports-record-fiscal-2005-third-quarter-results. Retrieved March 16, 2022. 
  26. ↑ "Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams - IGN". https://www.ign.com/games/tak-2-the-staff-of-dreams. 
  • Developer Avalanche Software
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.



  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.



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