Dexter's Laboratory: Mandark's Lab? (2002). Play online

Summary

I love the way *Dexter's Laboratory: Mandark's Lab?* brings the cartoon’s zany science to the PlayStation with bright cel‑shaded 3D and occasional 2D cutscenes that feel lifted straight from the show. The adventure splits into four distinct areas—Dexter’s house, his lab, his computer’s circuit board and the schoolyard—each packed with two quirky mini‑games like Dee Dee’s Dance Off, Cootie Call, Up N Atom, and Dexter Dodge Ball. Scattered across every level are four hidden blueprint pieces; collecting them upgrades one of Dexter’s inventions, giving a useful edge for the challenges ahead. A two‑player mode even lets a friend take on the role of Mandark, turning the mini‑games into a friendly rivalry. Critics were split: the voice work by Candi Milo and the animated cutscenes drew praise, while the gameplay loop left some finding the mini‑games a bit repetitive, earning it a middling 62% on Metacritic.

Storyline

The game opens with Dexter’s arch‑rival Mandark sneaking into Dexter’s laboratory and reprogramming the main computer, locking Dexter out and even mimicking his voice. After stealing his voice‑modulating gadget from Dee Dee’s cootie‑infested room, Dexter must dance with her to coax the password she guesses, finally regaining access.

Inside, nothing responds; Dexter clears rogue atoms and eradicates a cyber‑bug corrupting the system. He then confronts Mandark, who uses an early version of Dexter’s age‑changing device to turn him into an old man. By reliving memories Dexter powers the machine, restores his youth, and discovers Mandark has rigged a bomb to blow up the massive salt‑water fish tank that would wreck the lab.

Dee Dee proposes a game of wills, bribing Mandark with a promised kiss. After losing a chemistry contest and an ice‑hockey match, Mandark hands over a false deactivation code, but Dexter sees through the ruse and disables the bomb. Defeated, Mandark swears revenge, and the game ends with Dee Dee trashing one of Dexter’s gadgets, leaving him annoyed.