Step into the mystical world of the WB Kids animated series with Xiaolin Showdown, an action-packed adventure that brings the high-stakes martial arts battles of the cartoon directly to your console. Developed by BottleRocket Entertainment and published by Konami, this title invites players to take control of legendary monks in a quest to secure ancient artifacts before they fall into the hands of darkness.

The Quest for the Shen Gong Wu

Set in a hyper-reality world filled with mystical energy, the story follows Omi and his fellow dragons-in-larva—Kimiko, Clay, and Raimundo. As monks in training, these heroes must travel across the globe to find and protect the Shen Gong Wu: a collection of powerful, ancient talismans that grant their possessors incredible supernatural abilities.

The stakes are high as the heroes face off against a band of notorious villains. This includes the much-maligned "evil boy genius" Jack Spicer, his army of robots, and the ancient witch Wuya. Players will also encounter formidable threats like Chase Young, all while navigating environments filled with hazards, enemies, and collectibles.

Gameplay Mechanics and Features

Xiaolin Showdown functions as a brawler that blends elements of action-adventure with arena-style combat. The gameplay is primarily split into two distinct modes:

  • Adventure Mode: A narrative-driven experience where players progress through levels, battling waves of Jack Spicer’s robotic forces to advance the story.
  • Showdown Mode: High-intensity, arena-style combat inspired by party games and fighters like Super Smash Bros. Players compete in fixed-camera arenas, utilizing martial arts skills and mystical items to win.

A core mechanic of the game involves the collection of tokens found throughout the levels. These tokens allow players to expand their character's capabilities via a combo tree system. While characters start with basic punches, kicks, and elemental attacks, collecting these tokens enables more complex move sets. Additionally, players can equip up to three Shen Gong Wu artifacts to enhance their combat prowess during battles.

Notable Features

  • Six Playable Characters: Take control of the main heroes—Omi, Kimiko, Clay, and Raimundo—as well as villains like Jack Spicer and Chase Young.
  • Multiplayer Chaos: Supports up to four players on a single screen, offering a localized multiplayer experience perfect for quick combat sessions.
  • Faithful Presentation: Features voice work from the main cast and graphical designs that closely mirror the aesthetic of the original animated series.

Who is This Game For?

Xiaolin Showdown is primarily aimed at fans of the original animated series looking for a way to interact with their favorite characters and settings. It also appeals to players who enjoy casual, multiplayer brawlers and "party-style" fighting games. If you enjoy collecting items, mastering simple combo systems, and engaging in arena-based combat, this title offers a nostalgic trip into the world of martial arts mysticism.

Platform Availability: Nintendo DS, Xbox, PlayStation 2, PSP