The Polar Express
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🙂 6.0/10
(Playstation 2 - PAL, Action & Adventure)
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Developed_By:
THQ
Published_By:
THQ
Released On:
01 Nov 2004
Also available on:
The Polar Express is a 3D action platformer based on Robert Zemeckis' animated Christmas film from 2000-11-24. Play as Chris, the hero boy, and make your way to the North Pole on The Polar Express, helping the other kids to overcome the hazards and villains on the way to meet Santa!
The Polar Express features a variety of activities that make up this exciting Christmas adventure, including beat/dancing games, run and jumping levels, flying, skiing, and adventure elements, such as collecting lost train tickets and defeating mischievous toys.
The Polar Express is an action & Adventure game that lets you explore the world of The Polar Express. Find the children's missing tickets, navigate the spooky train carriage, run along the carriage rooftop, fight against Scrooge, ski down the slopes with the hobo, ride in the suck-o-matic tube system and fly the zeppelin to North Pole!
EAN-13:
4005209055406 (Germany)
EAN-13:
4005209057448 (Finland)
EAN-13:
4005209057455 (France)
EAN-13:
4005209057462 (Australia)
EAN-13:
4005209059923 (Italy)
Sony PN:
SLES-52685 (Italy)
Sony PN:
SLES-52685/ANZ (Australia)
Sony PN:
SLES-52685/GER (Germany)
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Media Type:
DVD-ROM
Cameras Supported:
EyeToy
Number of Offline Players:
1 Player
Save Game Methods:
External Storage
Input Devices Supported/Optional:
Camera
Input Device Features Supported:
Vibration
Controller Types Supported:
Analog Controller
Available from a collector
retrogold 🇩🇪 since 2026 (from Germany)
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Manual
Game Guide
Extracted from the original game manual
This is an adventure game where players embark on a magical train journey to the North Pole. The goal is to recover stolen tickets from Scrooge and his mischievous puppets to save Christmas. Players will navigate challenges like snowball fights and runaway rail cars while interacting with various characters.
Story
The Magic of Christmas
Every Christmas, a magical train sets out to gather lucky boys and girls. They travel to the North Pole to visit Santa and receive the First Gift of Christmas.
This year, a young boy on the verge of disbelieving will embark on an adventure. From snowball fights with a mischievous puppet to runaway rail cars to trips through mountains of presents, it's guaranteed to be a train ride no one will ever forget.
Scrooge's Bag of Tricks
Poor Mr. Scrooge! Not content enough to ruin Christmas for himself, Scrooge has decided to ruin the children's trip on the Polar Express by stealing their train tickets.
Scrooge has manipulated some of the other puppets to get in your way as you search for the tickets! Look out especially for puppets who like to throw things. These bouncing toys seem harmless but when they pop open, they give quite a scare!
Scrooge wants to spread misery at this joyous time of year, stealing tickets, throwing soccer balls, and even turning into a giant puppet.
How to Play
Getting Started
•
MEMORY CARD slot 2
•
MEMORY CARD slot 1
•
disc tray
•
RESET button
•
OPEN button
•
USB connector
•
controller port 1
•
controller port 2
*Note: Illustration may not match all PlayStation 2 console types. For owners of SCPH-70000 series PlayStation 2 systems, refer to the setup instructions supplied with your system.*
Set up your PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system according to the directions in its instruction manual. Make sure the MAIN POWER switch (located in the back of the console) is turned on.
Press the RESET button. When the power indicator light comes on, press the open button and the disc tray will open. Place The Polar Express disc on the disc tray with the label side facing up. Press the open button again and the disc tray will close.
Attach game controllers and other peripherals, as appropriate. Follow on-screen instructions and refer to this manual for information on using the software.
Memory Card (8MB)(for PlayStation®2)
To save game settings and progress, insert a memory card (8MB)(for PlayStation®2) into MEMORY CARD slot 1 of your PlayStation®2 system. You can load saved game data from the same memory card or any memory card (8MB)(for PlayStation®2) containing previously saved games.
Beginning a New Game
Press the START button to go to the Main Menu screen. The Main Menu has four choices: Play Game, Bonus Content, Options and Credits.
Play Game
From here, you can start a new game or choose a save game file. When you select a new game, a letter selection menu will appear to allow you to name the new file.
Bonus Content
Play bonus games and watch movies.
•
Decorating the Tree
•
Driving the Polar Express!
The EyeToy USB camera must be plugged in and properly installed for this function to work. (EyeToy is sold separately).
Options
This allows you to adjust the sound, vibration, and load a saved game (see page 11).
Credits
This allows you to view the game credits.
In-Game Indicators
1. This health indicator shows that Hero Boy has the heart to keep going.
2. Twenty of these Gold Coins give Hero Boy another chance to continue his journey.
Secret Toys
Secret toys are hidden in the train. To see the toys that you have collected and how many pieces you've found, enter the Pause screen by pressing the START button.
1. This indicates the total number of toy parts available and those collected in the current chapter.
2. This shows you the full and partially assembled toys you've collected over the course of the game.
EyeToy Games
With the magic of EyeToy, you enter the game using your body instead of a controller to direct the action. Before you begin playing, make sure that the EyeToy is properly installed by following the instructions provided with that accessory.
Decorating the Tree
Place decorations on the Christmas Tree! Wave your hand over the lighted doors. A few seconds later, a decoration will appear on the tree.
Mischievous marionettes will drop in from the top of the screen to take decorations off the tree. You can only stop them by swatting them with your hands as they come towards the tree. Decorate the entire tree and you've won the game!
Driving the Polar Express!
You have been given the awesome responsibility of driving the Polar Express. Get the train to the North Pole in the shortest time possible.
As you head down the track, wipe snow from the windshield so that you can keep an eye on the track. Every so often, train switches appear, telling you which intersection the train must take. Once you approach the intersection, press the correct button at the top of the screen to take the right track.
Taking the wrong one will move the train through barricades that slow the train down and throw up a lot of snow on the windshield. Watch out for snowmen who wander onto the track. Pull the whistle to alert them to get off the track, or else a whole pile of snow will end up on the windshield! The game is won once you pull into the North Pole station.
Controls
Left analog stick
Move Hero Boy
button
Jump
A button
Secondary action
R1 button
180° camera-flip
START button
Pause game
L1 / R1 button
Air brakes (for tube car only)
Tips & Maps
Flying Objects
If you can't step out of the way of a flying object, try ducking or jumping over it.
Coins
Keep an eye out for coins. With 20 coins, you gain an extra chance to continue if your health runs out!
Hidden Toys
Find the hidden toys to unlock bonus games.
Kicking or Throwing Objects
If you're trying to kick or throw an object (like a ball or a toy mouse), a transparent green arc will appear to show you where the object will land.
Rhythm Challenges
At times, you'll need a sense of rhythm to get things done. Just watch the buttons that appear on the screen and repeat the sequence in time with the music.
Pushing and Pulling Objects
You can pull and push some objects by pressing the A button.
Driving the Runaway Train Car
When driving the runaway train car, avoid potholes and other vehicles by leaning your train car to the left or right with the analog stick. You can also brake by pressing the ✔button and speed up again by pressing the button.
The Tube System
The Tube System transports elves all over the North Pole. To get Hero Boy to his destination successfully, he must hit the colored sensors in the tube in the same order that appear on his screen. If Hero Boy hits the wrong sensor, another color will appear on the screen that he must hit in order to return his tube car to the right track.
Saving & Loading
You can access a saved game from the main menu. At the end of each chapter, you are given the option to save the game in progress. To save your game, insert a memory card (8MB)(for PlayStation®2) into MEMORY CARD slot 1 of the console before starting play. You select from any of the save slots to load a saved game. You can play your saved games from the same memory card (8MB)(for PlayStation®2) or from any memory card (8MB)(for PlayStation®2) with previously saved The Polar Express games.
Items & Weapons
Coins
Collecting 20 coins will award you with another Continue. This will allow you to retry your current objective after losing your health.
Toys
Each toy successfully collected unlocks a bonus game for you to play.
Rare items
These rare items, if found, restore you back to full health.
Bag full of coins
It's a bag full of coins! Remember collecting 20 coins awards you with another continue.
Items like these
Items like these help fix things such as the train car or Zeppelin.
Teddy bear
Pick up items like this teddy bear and throw them at pesky puppets. Keep an eye out for snowballs to toss or soccer balls to kick, too!
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