scribblenauts

{{Timeline of release years

|title = Release timeline

|2009 = Scribblenauts

|2010 = Super Scribblenauts

|2011 = Scribblenauts Remix

|2012 = Scribblenauts Unlimited

|2013 = {{ubl|Scribblenauts Collection|Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure}}

|2018 = {{ubl|Scribblenauts Showdown|Scribblenauts Mega Pack}}

}}

The first Scribblenauts game, also titled Scribblenauts, was unveiled in December 2008, when its gameplay was first shown.{{cite web|last=Bozon|first=Mark|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/12/05/world-debut-scribblenauts|title=World Debut: Scribblenauts|website=IGN|publisher=News Corporation|date=May 11, 2012|access-date=March 31, 2021}} Scribblenauts was later available as a playable demo at E3 2009, where its presence received numerous awards and honors.{{cite web|last=Kuchera|first=Ben|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2009/09/scribblenauts-is-genius-maddening-ars-reviews-hit-of-e3/|title=Scribblenauts is genius, maddening; Ars reviews hit of E3|website=Ars Technica|publisher=Condé Nast|date=September 15, 2009|access-date=March 31, 2021}}{{cite web|last=Hernandez|first=Pedro|url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/18955/scribblenauts-receives-honors-at-e3|title=Scribblenauts Receives Honors at E3|website=Nintendo World Report|date=June 29, 2009|access-date=March 31, 2021}} Scribblenauts was released in September 2009 in North America, exclusively for the Nintendo DS. Five other games in the Scribblenauts series have been released for multiple different platforms. Additionally, two compilation games have also been released: Scribblenauts Collection (2013) for the Nintendo DS, consisting of the first and second game,{{cite web|last=Green|first=Andy|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/03/scribblenauts_collection_out_now_in_north_america|title=Scribblenauts Collection Out Now in North America|website=Nintendo Life|publisher=Nlife Media|date=March 5, 2013|access-date=March 31, 2021}} and Scribblenauts Mega Pack (2018) for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, consisting of the 4th and 5th games.{{cite web|last=Kennemer|first=Quentyn|url=https://www.imore.com/everything-scribblenauts-mega-pack-nintendo-switch|title=Everything in the Scribblenauts Mega Pack for Nintendo Switch|website=iMore|date=September 14, 2018|access-date=March 31, 2021}} The series also has two canceled games, first being Scribblenauts: Fighting Words, which began development in 2014 and was canceled in March 2016 after the lay off of forty-five 5th Cell employees.{{cite web|last=Phillips|first=Tom|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-03-22-warner-bros-cans-new-scribblenauts-game-45-laid-off|title=Warner Bros. cans new Scribblenauts game, 45 laid off|website=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|date=March 22, 2016|access-date=April 2, 2021}} In late 2019, a cancelled 3D action game trailer was leaked on Instagram by former developers.{{Cite news|title=Art of Mike Uziel|url=https://mikeuziel.tumblr.com/post/186866589839/someone-leaked-a-video-of-3d-scribblenauts-online|access-date=2021-05-22|newspaper=Tumblr|date=August 2019}}

1. Scribblenauts, the first game in the series, was released on the Nintendo DS on September 15, 2009, with a Europe release following on October 9.{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/games/ds/scribblenauts|title=Scribblenauts (DS) Game Profile|website=Nintendo Life|date=16 December 2010 |publisher=Nlife Media|access-date=March 31, 2021}}
2. Super Scribblenauts was released for the Nintendo DS on October 12, 2010, in North America,{{cite magazine|last=Cork|first=Jeff|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/super_scribblenauts/b/nintendo_ds/archive/2010/09/10/maxwell-expands-his-vocabulary.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100914134142/http://gameinformer.com/games/super_scribblenauts/b/nintendo_ds/archive/2010/09/10/maxwell-expands-his-vocabulary.aspx|url-status=live|archive-date=September 14, 2010|title=Super Scribblenauts: Maxwell Expands His Vocabulary|magazine=Game Informer|publisher=GameStop|date=September 10, 2010|access-date=March 31, 2021}} after it was first announced in an issue of Nintendo Power earlier that same year.{{cite web|last=Good|first=Owen|url=https://kotaku.com/nintendo-power-reveals-scribblenauts-2-due-out-this-fa-5487260|title=Nintendo Power Reveals Scribblenauts 2, Due Out This Fall|website=Kotaku|publisher=Gawker Media|date=June 3, 2010|access-date=March 31, 2021}}
3. Scribblenauts Remix was released for iOS devices on October 11, 2011.{{cite web|last=Rose|first=Mike|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/127604/Scribblenauts_Remix_Released_For_iOS_Devices.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510134207/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/127604/Scribblenauts_Remix_Released_For_iOS_Devices.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 10, 2012|title=Scribblenauts Remix Released For iOS Devices|website=Gamasutra|publisher=Informa|date=October 12, 2011|access-date=March 31, 2021}} The game was later ported to Android systems on December 10, 2012.{{cite web|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wb.goog.scribbleremix|title=Scribblenauts Remix - Apps on Google Play|publisher=Google Play|access-date=March 31, 2021}}
4. Scribblenauts Unlimited was released on November 18, 2012, for the Wii U, with a PC port via the Steam service releasing later the same month.{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/games/wiiu/scribblenauts_unlimited|title=Scribblenauts Unlimited (Wii U) Game Profile|website=Nintendo Life|publisher=Nlife Media|access-date=March 31, 2021}}{{cite web|last=Skyes|first=Tom|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/scribblenauts-unlimited-writes-itself-to-steam-er-unless-you-live-in-europe/|title=Scribblenauts Unlimited writes itself to Steam - er, unless you live in Europe|website=PC Gamer|date=November 25, 2012|access-date=April 10, 2021}} The game was later released on the Nintendo 3DS on December 6 the same year, and on mobile devices in December 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/games/3ds/scribblenauts_unlimited|title=Scribblenauts Unlimited (3DS) Game Profile|website=Nintendo Life|date=2 December 2013 |publisher=Nlife Media|access-date=March 31, 2021}}{{cite web|last=Seppala|first=Tim|url=https://www.engadget.com/2015-12-17-scribblenauts-unlimited-android-ios.html|title=Word-puzzler 'Scribblenauts Unlimited' returns to mobile|website=Engadget|publisher=AOL|date=December 17, 2015|access-date=March 31, 2021}}
5. Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure was released on September 24, 2013, for Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, and PCs via the Steam service.{{cite web|last=Whitehead|first=Thomas|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/07/scribblenauts_unmasked_a_dc_comics_adventure_to_save_the_world_on_24th_september|title=Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure to Save the World on 24th September|website=Nintendo Life|date=10 July 2013 |publisher=Nlife Media|access-date=March 31, 2021}}{{cite web|last=Sarkar|first=Samit|url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/9/11/4719074/scribblenauts-unmasked-preview-randomized-puzzles-superman|title=Superman alone won't get you through Scribblenauts Unmasked|website=Polygon|date=11 September 2013 |publisher=Vox Media|access-date=April 3, 2021}}
6. Scribblenauts Showdown, the latest entry in the series, was released on March 6, 2018, for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/games/nintendo-switch/scribblenauts_showdown|title=Scribblenauts: Showdown (Switch)|website=Nintendo Life|date=14 March 2018 |publisher=Gamer Network|access-date=March 31, 2021}}{{cite web|last=Tailby|first=Stephen|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/scribblenauts_showdown|title=Scribblenauts Showdown Review (PS4)|website=Push Square|publisher=Nlife Media|date=March 12, 2018|access-date=March 31, 2021}}{{cite web|last=Snaith|first=Kim|url=https://www.gamespew.com/2018/03/scribblenauts-showdown-review/|title=Scribblenauts Showdown Review: Your New Favourite Party Game|website=GameSpew|date=March 21, 2018|access-date=March 31, 2021}}

File:Scribblenauts Unlimited gameplay.png

Scribblenauts is a series of emergent puzzle games, where players primarily take control of a young boy named Maxwell, who has a magical notebook that summons anything he writes in it.{{cite web|last=Calimlim|first=Aldrin|url=https://appadvice.com/appnn/2015/12/if-you-can-think-it-you-can-create-it-in-scribblenauts-unlimited|title=If you can think it, you can create it in Scribblenauts Unlimited|website=AppAdvice|date=December 17, 2015|access-date=April 24, 2021}}{{cite web|last=Matulef|first=Jeffrey|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-11-30-scribblenauts-unlimited-review|title=Scribblenauts Unlimited review|website=Eurogamer|date=December 3, 2012|access-date=April 24, 2021}} Players are tasked with solving puzzles by summoning different objects with the notebook, which rewards the player with "Starites", a type of star.{{cite web|last=John|first=Tracey|url=https://www.wired.com/2009/06/scribblenauts/|title=How Innovative Scribblenauts Recognizes 10,000 Different Words|website=Wired|date=June 17, 2009|access-date=April 24, 2021}} Puzzles in Scribblenauts typically have multiple different solutions, with players being encouraged to use out-of-the-box ideas.{{cite web|last=Gallegos|first=Anthony|url=http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/scribblenauts/1024739p1.html|title=The Consensus: Scribblenauts Review|website=GameSpy|date=September 15, 2009|access-date=May 3, 2021}}{{cite web|last=Snaith|first=Kim|url=https://www.gamespew.com/2018/10/scribblenauts-mega-pack-review/|title=Scribblenauts Mega Pack Review|website=GameSpew|date=October 1, 2018|access-date=May 3, 2021}}{{cite web|last=McShea|first=Tom|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/scribblenauts-review/1900-6228028/|title=Scribblenauts Review|website=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|date=September 16, 2009|access-date=May 3, 2021}} The original three games were divided into linear levels, whereas Scribblenauts Unlimited and Unmasked took a more open world-like approach, with individual levels featuring multiple different puzzles for the player to solve.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPBNK2EC5ZE|title=Wii U - Scribblenauts Unlimited Developer Interview|publisher=Nintendo|date=June 5, 2012|access-date=April 24, 2021|via=YouTube}}{{cite web|last=Fogel|first=Stefanie|url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/scribblenauts-mega-pack-out-now-1202946739/|title='Scribblenauts Mega Pack' Out Now for Switch, PS4 and Xbox One|website=Variety|date=September 18, 2018|access-date=April 24, 2021}}{{cite web|last=DelVillano|first=Ron|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wiiu/scribblenauts_unmasked_a_dc_comics_adventure|title=Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure Review (Wii U)|website=Nintendo Life|publisher=Nlife Media|date=January 16, 2014|access-date=April 24, 2021}}

Summoning objects is done via a keyboard interface or a rotary wheel,{{cite web|last=Kohler|first=Chris|url=https://www.wired.com/2011/10/scribblenauts-remix-ios/|title=iPad's Big Screen Makes Brilliant Scribblenauts Shine|website=Wired|date=October 12, 2011|access-date=May 3, 2021}} where players type the object they wish to summon. Starting in Super Scribblenauts, players could also add adjectives to words to alter their appearance and properties.{{cite web|last=Hatfield|first=Daemon|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/10/09/super-scribblenauts-review|title=Super Scribblenauts Review|website=IGN|publisher=News Corporation|date=May 5, 2012|access-date=May 3, 2021}} The games recognizes thousands of words,{{cite web|last=Ashcraft|first=Brian|url=https://kotaku.com/racial-term-in-ds-scribblenauts-unintentional-develop-5361276|title=Racial Term in DS' Scribblenauts? Unintentional, Developer Explains [Update]|website=Kotaku|publisher=Gawker Media|date=September 16, 2009|access-date=May 3, 2021}} although it omits most profane words, gore, and copyrighted material.{{cite web|last=Good|first=Owen|url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/05/fatalities-are-ok-in-mortal-kombat-finger-banging-no/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504115757/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/05/fatalities-are-ok-in-mortal-kombat-finger-banging-no/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 4, 2011|title=Fatalities Are OK In Mortal Kombat. Finger Banging, No.|website=Kotaku|publisher=Gawker Media|date=May 1, 2011|access-date=May 3, 2021}} The games have, however, included some copyrighted characters, such as Nintendo's Mario and Link, among other characters, in the Wii U release of Scribblenauts Unlimited.{{cite web|last=McFerran|first=Damien|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2012/11/link_and_mario_have_gate_crashed_these_scribblenauts_unlimited_trailers|title=Link And Mario Have Gate-Crashed These Scribblenauts Unlimited Trailers|website=Nintendo Life|publisher=Nlife Media|date=November 20, 2012|access-date=May 3, 2021}}{{cite web|last=Goldfarb|first=Andrew|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/10/19/why-scribblenauts-unlimiteds-nintendo-characters-arent-on-3ds|title=Why Scribblenauts Unlimited's Nintendo Characters Aren't on 3DS|website=IGN|publisher=News Corporation|date=October 19, 2012|access-date=May 3, 2021}}

Scribblenauts Showdown features drastically different gameplay than other installments in the series, with it being a party game where players play different minigames.{{cite web|last=Sheridan|first=Connor|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/scribblenauts-showdown-challenges-you-to-have-words-with-your-friends-in-march/|title=Scribblenauts Showdown challenges you to have words with your friends in March|website=GamesRadar+|date=January 16, 2018|access-date=May 4, 2021}} Before starting a minigame players must choose an object to use, the first letter of which is predetermined by a carnival wheel.{{cite web|last=Cowley|first=Ric|url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/076937/scribblenauts-showdown-review-a-party-puzzler-which-doesnt-quite-deliver-on-its-potential/|title=Scribblenauts Showdown review - A party puzzler which doesn't quite deliver on its potential|website=Pocket Gamer|publisher=Steel Media|date=March 12, 2018|access-date=May 4, 2021}}

The first Scribblenauts game was first conceived by 5th Cell in spring 2007, around the same time as they had come up with their other title, Lock's Quest. The first idea for Scribblenauts named "Once Upon a Time" was inspired by Mad Libs; in it, a player could draw sentences on the bottom screen and the action would appear on the top screen. Jeremiah Slaczka said that it was a good idea but it was not a game. Later on Jeremiah had a dream where he was solving puzzles in an Aztec Temple. He merged the two ideas together and made "Scribblenauts" (a portmanteau of Scribble Astronauts).{{Cite web|date=2009-10-15|title=Scribblenauts game developer makes a risky bet on being original|url=https://venturebeat.com/2009/10/15/scribblenauts-game-developer-makes-a-risky-bet-on-being-original/|access-date=2021-05-22|website=VentureBeat|language=en-US}} The first story for the game was about an astronaut that went to different planets to help them out.

The general concept of Scribblenauts was that "anything you write, you can use", with 5th Cell spending three months just listing different objects to be added to the game. The game was developed using an engine named "Objectnaut", which allowed 5th Cell to quickly add properties to objects and creatures. According to 5th Cell creative director Jeremiah Slaczka, Scribblenauts was developed to be more of a casual game, akin to that of Brain Age and Nintendogs.{{cite web|last=Jordan|first=Jon|url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/014108/interview-5th-cells-slaczka-talks-about-e3-ds-hit-scribblenauts/|title=Interview: 5th Cell's Slaczka talks about E3 DS hit Scribblenauts|website=Pocket Gamer|publisher=Steel Media|date=June 29, 2009|access-date=March 31, 2021}}

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment was chosen to publish the series in English territories, due to them showing gradual interest in the first Scribblenauts game as it was developed.{{cite web|last=Bozon|first=Mark|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/05/01/interview-5th-cell-talks-scribble|title=Interview: 5TH CELL Talks Scribble|website=IGN|publisher=News Corporation|date=May 1, 2009|access-date=March 31, 2021}} Konami published the first two games in Japan.{{cite web|last=Plunkett|first=Luke|url=https://kotaku.com/when-a-game-about-english-words-is-released-in-japanese-5720205|title=When A Game About English Words Is Released In Japanese|website=Kotaku|publisher=Gawker Media|date=May 1, 2009|access-date=March 31, 2021}}{{cite web|author=Mountain|url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/137/G013752/20111013033/|title=NDS「スーパースクリブルノーツ」本日発売。プロモーションムービーやミニゲームアプリでゲームの特徴をつかもう|website=4Gamer.net|language=Japanese|publisher=Aetas|date=October 13, 2011|access-date=April 9, 2021}}

After the layoff of 45 5th Cell employees in 2016, development of the series was shifted over to Shiver Entertainment, who would proceed to develop the series' sixth entry, Scribblenauts Showdown.{{cite web|last=Frank|first=Allegra|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/1/16/16748756/scribblenauts-showdown-release-date-trailer-nintendo-switch|title=Scribblenauts Showdown brings the series back in March after four years away|website=Polygon|publisher=Vox Media|date=January 16, 2018|access-date=April 2, 2021}}

{{Video game series reviews

| game1 = Scribblenauts

| mc1 = 79/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/scribblenauts/critic-reviews/?platform=ds|title=Scribblenauts for DS Reviews|website=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=March 31, 2021}}

| game2 = Super Scribblenauts

| mc2 = 81/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/super-scribblenauts/critic-reviews/?platform=ds|title=Super Scribblenauts for DS Reviews|website=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=March 31, 2021}}

| game3 = Scribblenauts Remix

| mc3 = 86/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/scribblenauts-remix/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad|title=Scribblenauts Remix for iPhone/iPad Reviews|website=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=March 31, 2021}}

| game4 = Scribblenauts Unlimited

| mc4 = 73/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/scribblenauts-unlimited/critic-reviews/?platform=wii-u|title=Scribblenauts Unlimited for Wii U Reviews|website=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=March 31, 2021}}

| game5 = Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure

| mc5 = 71/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/scribblenauts-unmasked-a-dc-comics-adventure/critic-reviews/?platform=wii-u|title=Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure for Wii U Reviews|website=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=March 31, 2021}}

| game6 = Scribblenauts Showdown

| mc6 = 47/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/scribblenauts-showdown/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|title=Scribblenauts Showdown for Switch Reviews|website=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=March 31, 2021}}

}}

Reception of the Scribblenauts across its different installments has been mixed. According to review aggregator Metacritic, the first three installments of the series all received "generally favorable reviews" from critics, whereas the next three games received either "mixed" or "generally unfavorable" reviews.

The general concept of the series has been described as encouraging creativity from the player.{{cite web|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/t4ulgi/scribblenauts-review|title=Scribblenauts|website=GameTrailers|publisher=Defy Media|date=September 15, 2009|access-date=April 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127151822/http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/t4ulgi/scribblenauts-review|archive-date=November 27, 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last=McShea|first=Tom|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/scribblenauts-unlimited-review/1900-6400812/|title=Scribblenauts Unlimited Review|website=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|date=November 13, 2012|access-date=April 5, 2021}}{{cite web|last=Squires|first=Jim|url=https://www.gamezebo.com/2011/10/13/scribblenauts-remix-review/|title=Scribblenauts Remix Review|website=Gamezebo|date=October 13, 2011|access-date=April 5, 2021}}{{cite web|last=Sanchez|first=David|url=http://nds.gamezone.com/reviews/item/super_scribblenauts_review/|title=Super Scribblenauts review|website=GameZone|date=November 3, 2010|access-date=April 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924002708/http://nds.gamezone.com/reviews/item/super_scribblenauts_review/|archive-date=September 24, 2011|url-status=dead}} Some reviewers have, however, felt that the player's creativity is limited by the lack of unique properties of objects. Ian Bonds of Destructoid, reviewing Scribblenauts Unmasked, wrote that the game promotes creativity, but only creativity that the game designers intended.{{cite web|last=Bonds|first=Ian|url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-scribblenauts-unmasked-a-dc-comics-adventure-262820.phtml|title=Review: Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure|website=Destructoid|date=October 5, 2013|access-date=April 10, 2021}} The A.V. Club{{'}}s John Teti, reviewing the original Scribblenauts game, felt that most objects are pointless, noting one scenario where a plumber with a wrench would not fix a leaking pipe.{{cite web|last=Teti|first=John|url=https://www.avclub.com/scribblenauts-1798217711|title=Scribblenauts|website=The A.V. Club|date=September 21, 2009|access-date=April 10, 2021}}

Critics have enjoyed the series' art style, which has been described as charming and cute.{{cite web|last=Saltzman|first=Marc|url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/saltzman/2013/10/06/review-scribblenauts-unmasked/2903343/|title=Comics, creativity collide in 'Scribblenauts Unmasked'|website=USA Today|date=October 6, 2013|access-date=April 17, 2021}}{{cite magazine|last=Hilliard|first=Kyle|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/scribblenauts_unlimited/b/wii_u/archive/2012/11/18/engage-your-imagination-with-this-sort-of-video-game.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121122002940/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/scribblenauts_unlimited/b/wii_u/archive/2012/11/18/engage-your-imagination-with-this-sort-of-video-game.aspx|url-status=live|archive-date=November 22, 2012|title=Scribblenauts Unlimited|magazine=Game Informer|publisher=GameStop|date=November 18, 2012|access-date=April 10, 2021}} Casey Malone of Paste wrote that Scribblenauts has an adorable art style, describing it as being akin to paper dolls.{{cite news|last=Malone|first=Casey|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/scribblenauts-unmasked-a-dc-comics-adventure-revie/|title=Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure Review (Multi-Platform)|website=Paste Magazine|date=October 23, 2013|access-date=April 17, 2021}} IGN{{'}}s Chuck Osborn, reviewing Scribblenauts Unmasked, felt that the series' "cutesy art style and presentation" made it clear that the games can be enjoyed by different age demographics, opining that even DC Comics characters such as Doomsday and Mr. Zsasz, who are normally "bloodthirsty killers", become adorable when in the series' art style.{{cite web|last=Osborn|first=Chuck|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/09/25/scribblenauts-unmasked-review|title=Scribblenauts Unmasked Review|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=September 26, 2013|access-date=April 17, 2021}}

The series' soundtrack has been a source of generally positive reception and has been described as upbeat and "whimsical".{{cite web|last=DelVillano|first=Ron|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wiiu/scribblenauts_unlimited|title=Scribblenauts Unlimited Review (Wii U)|website=Nintendo Life|publisher=Nlife Media|date=November 28, 2012|access-date=April 10, 2021}}{{cite web|last=Campbell|first=Evan|url=https://www.nintendojo.com/reviews/super-scribblenauts-review|title=Super Scribblenauts Review|website=Nintendojo|date=October 29, 2010|access-date=April 10, 2021}} In a review for Scribblenauts Unlimited, Game Informer{{'}}s Kyle Hilliard complimented the music, writing that it "rests pleasantly in the background". Destructoid{{'}}s Dale North criticized the music of Super Scribblenauts, writing that it felt repetitive.{{cite web|last=North|first=Dale|url=https://www.destructoid.com/stories/review-super-scribblenauts-186295.phtml|title=Review: Super Scribblenauts|website=Destructoid|date=October 21, 2010|access-date=April 10, 2021}}

Scribblenauts Showdown is generally considered the worst game in the series by critics, who felt that the game restricted the player's creativity by limiting the objects usable in a minigame.{{cite web|last=Biggs|first=Tim|url=https://www.smh.com.au/technology/scribblenauts-showdown-review-a-lack-of-imagination-20180321-p4z5fn.html|title=Scribblenauts Showdown review: a lack of imagination|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=March 21, 2018|access-date=March 31, 2021}} Nintendo World Report{{'}}s Daan Koopman wrote that Showdown was highly underwhelming, and criticized how the different objects barely differ in gameplay.{{cite web|last=Koopman|first=Daan|url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/46856/scribblenauts-showdown-switch-review|title=Scribblenauts Showdown (Switch) Review|website=Nintendo World Report|date=March 28, 2018|access-date=April 20, 2021}} Steven Petite of Digital Trends was more positive to Showdown, writing that the game is a "fresh and fun spin on the party game genre" due to the game's object creation feature.{{cite web|last=Petite|first=Steven|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/game-reviews/scribblenauts-showdown-review/|title='Scribblenauts Showdown' review|website=Digital Trends|date=March 12, 2018|access-date=April 20, 2021}}

File:Josh Elder Cusp Conference 2010.2.jpg adapted the series into comics.]]

Multiple pieces of merchandise featuring series protagonist Maxwell have been released, such as a real-life replica of Maxwell's "rooster hat", which came with GameStop and EB Games pre-orders of the original Scribblenauts game,{{cite web|last=Casamassina|first=Matt|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/07/28/scribblenauts-gamestop-pre-order-bonus|title=Scribblenauts GameStop Pre-order Bonus|website=IGN|publisher=News Corporation|date=July 28, 2009|access-date=March 31, 2021}} and a figurine of the character released to promote the release of Super Scribblenauts.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamepeople.co.uk/game/superscribblenauts.htm|title=Super Scribblenauts on DS|website=Game People|access-date=March 31, 2021}} In 2011, in collaboration with Funko, 5th Cell released a vinyl figure and plush of Maxwell.{{cite web|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/03/summon-some-scribblenauts-toys-for-your-collection/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513151044/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/03/summon-some-scribblenauts-toys-for-your-collection/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 13, 2021|title=Summon Some Scribblenauts Toys For Your Collection|website=Kotaku|publisher=Gawker Media|date=March 29, 2011|access-date=May 13, 2021}} In conjunction with the release of Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure, a series of Scribblenauts vinyl figurines was released by DC Collectibles.{{cite web|last=Farokhmanesh|first=Megan|url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/1/18/5322658/dc-collectibles-to-release-scribblenauts-unmasked-figures|title=DC Collectibles to release Scribblenauts Unmasked figures|website=Polygon|publisher=Vox Media|date=January 18, 2014|access-date=April 11, 2021}}

Bundled with the Wii U release of Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure was a one-shot comic set in the Scribblenauts universe featuring DC Comics characters written by American writer Josh Elder, titled Scribblenauts Unmasked: A Battle Most Bizarre.{{cite web|last=Burlingame|first=Russ|url=https://comicbook.com/news/invincible-creator-rules-out-crossovers-from-other-image-comics-/|title=Scribblenauts Unmasked Comic Coming From DC Comics, Josh Elder and Adam Archer|website=Comic Book Resources|publisher=Valnet|date=September 6, 2017|access-date=March 31, 2021}} The one-shot was first conceived when editor Alex Antone asked Elder to pitch a comic adaptation of Scribblenauts.{{cite web|last=Carle|first=Chris|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/12/03/dc-comics-to-launch-scribblenauts-unmasked-digital-first-comic|title=DC Comics to Launch Scribblenauts Unmasked Digital-First Comic|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=August 9, 2018|access-date=March 31, 2021}} Following the pitch for the one-shot, Antone asked Elder to pitch him an idea for a limited comic book series also based on Scribblenauts, which ended up becoming the 9-issues long Scribblenauts Unmasked: A Crisis of Imagination.{{cite magazine|last=Perry|first=Isaac|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/12/04/return-to-scribblenauts-unmasked-with-crisis-of-imagination.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207030059/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/12/04/return-to-scribblenauts-unmasked-with-crisis-of-imagination.aspx|url-status=live|archive-date=December 7, 2013|title=Return To Scribblenauts Unmasked With Crisis Of Imagination|magazine=Game Informer|publisher=GameStop|date=December 4, 2013|access-date=March 31, 2021}} To promote the release of the original one-shot, multiple of DC Comic's other comics received alternate covers featuring the art style of Scribblenauts.{{cite web|last=Langshaw|first=Mark|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/comics/a522559/dc-comics-titles-get-scribblenauts-variant-covers/|title=DC Comics titles get 'Scribblenauts' variant covers|website=Digital Spypublisher=Hearst Magazines UK|date=October 10, 2013|access-date=March 31, 2021}}

American publishing company Prima Games has released two official strategy guides for the Scribblenauts series: one of the first game and one of the second game, released in 2009 and 2010, respectively.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IB21PwAACAAJ|title=Scribblenauts: Prima Official Game Guide|isbn=9780307465504|access-date=April 11, 2021|last1=Browne|first1=Catherine|year=2009|publisher=Random House Information}}{{cite web|last=Ronaghan|first=Neal|url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/24452/5th-cell-reveals-exclusive-excerpts-from-primas-super-scribblenauts-guide|title=5th Cell Reveals Exclusive Excerpts from Prima's Super Scribblenauts Guide|website=Nintendo World Report|date=November 15, 2010|access-date=April 11, 2021}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{official website|scribblenauts.com}} ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210123062022/https://www.scribblenauts.com/ archived])

{{Scribblenauts}}

{{Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment}}

{{Warner Bros. franchises}}

Category:Warner Bros. Games franchises

Category:Video game franchises introduced in 2009

Category:Video game franchises

Category:Puzzle video games

Category:Video games adapted into comics

Category:Video games with user-generated gameplay content