View source for Scribblenauts (video game)

{{short description|2009 puzzle video game}}
{{about|the video game|the video game series|Scribblenauts}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Scribblenauts
|image = Scribblenauts cover.jpg
|caption = Cover art for Nintendo DS
|developer = [[5th Cell]]
|publisher = [[Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment]]
|director = [[Jeremiah Slaczka]]
|producer = Joshua Billeaudeau <br> Kirsten Gavoni
|designer = Matt Cox
|programmer = Marius Fahlbusch
|artist = Edison Yan
|composer = David J. Franc
|series = ''[[Scribblenauts]]''
|released = {{vgrelease|NA|September 15, 2009<ref name="releasedate1">{{cite news | title = Release dates galore: 'Scribblenauts', 'Uncharted 2' and more | url = http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gamehunters/post/2009/07/68495114/1 | newspaper = [[USA Today]] | first = Brett | last = Molina | date = 2009-07-22 | access-date = 2009-07-22 | archive-date = 2014-07-29 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140729173152/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gamehunters/post/2009/07/68495114/1 | url-status = live}}</ref>|AUS|September 30, 2009<ref name="aus release">{{cite web | url = http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/scribblenauts/ | title = Scribblenauts | date = 2009 | access-date = 2015-01-25 | publisher = [[GameSpy]] | archive-date = 2020-08-12 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200812223624/http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/scribblenauts/ | url-status = live}}</ref>}}{{vgrelease|EU|October 9, 2009<ref name="uk date">{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/scribblenauts-uk-date-changed | title = Scribblenauts UK date changed | date = 2009-08-28 | access-date = 2009-08-28 | first = Robert | last = Purchase | website = [[Eurogamer]] | archive-date = 2021-02-25 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210225215958/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/scribblenauts-uk-date-changed | url-status = live}}</ref>}}{{vgrelease|JP|January 27, 2011<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvD-Xek_wtM|title=ヒラメキパズル マックスウェルの不思議なノート（DS）PV|last=KONAMI公式|date=21 December 2010|access-date=30 December 2016|via=YouTube|archive-date=16 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116001531/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvD-Xek_wtM|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
|genre = [[Emergent gameplay|Emergent]], [[puzzle video game|puzzle]], [[action game|action]] [[Platform video game|platform]] 
|modes = [[Single-player]]
|platforms = [[Nintendo DS]]
}}

'''''Scribblenauts''''' is an [[emergent gameplay|emergent]] [[puzzle video game|puzzle]] [[action game|action]] [[video game]] developed by [[5th Cell]] and published by [[Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment]] for the [[Nintendo DS]]. The game was released in 2009 in all regions except Japan, and in 2011 in Japan as {{nihongo foot|'''''Flash Puzzle: Maxwell's Mysterious Notebook'''''|ヒラメキパズル マックスウェルの不思議なノート|Hirameki Pazuru: Makkusuweru no Fushigi na Nōto|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} by [[Konami]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://kotaku.com/5720205/when-a-game-about-english-words-is-released-in-japanese | title = When A Game About English Words Is Released In Japanese | publisher = Kotaku | first = Luke | last = Plunkett | date = 2010-12-29 | access-date = 2015-01-07 | archive-date = 2018-11-01 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181101141325/https://kotaku.com/5720205/when-a-game-about-english-words-is-released-in-japanese | url-status = live}}</ref> It is the third Nintendo DS video game made by 5th Cell, the first two being ''[[Drawn to Life]]'' and ''[[Lock's Quest]]''. The objective of ''Scribblenauts'', as implied by its catchphrase "Write Anything, Solve Everything", is to complete puzzles to collect "Starites", helped by the player's ability to summon any object (from a database of tens of thousands) by writing its name on the [[touchscreen]]. The game is considered by its developers to help promote emergent gameplay by challenging the player to solve its puzzles within certain limitations or through multiple solutions.

[[Jeremiah Slaczka]], creator and director of ''Scribblenauts'', envisioned the game as a combination of solving life situation puzzles alongside ''[[Mad Libs]]''. His vision was brought to realization through the "Objectnaut" engine created by 5th Cell's technical director, Marius Fahlbusch. Objectnaut allowed for a [[data-driven design|data driven]] approach, and a significant portion of the development time was spent researching nouns and their properties, and categorizing them into the Objectnaut database. This, along with the simple art designs of 5th Cell's Edison Yan, allowed for the team to easily add new words to the database without expending much effort to program new behavior.

''Scribblenauts'' was first shown in a playable form at the 2009 [[Electronic Entertainment Expo]], and became a [[sleeper hit]], winning several "Best of Show" awards,<ref>{{cite web|title=GameSpy's Best of E3 2009 Awards|url=http://www.gamespy.com/articles/993/993100p1.html|publisher=GameSpy|access-date=6 April 2012|archive-date=3 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120703165510/http://www.gamespy.com/articles/993/993100p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Totilo|first=Stephen|title=Portable Game Beats Console Games For… The First Time Ever?|date=15 June 2009 |url=http://kotaku.com/5291395/portable-game-beats-console-games-for-the-first-time-ever|publisher=Kotaku|access-date=6 April 2012|archive-date=18 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018192840/http://kotaku.com/5291395/portable-game-beats-console-games-for-the-first-time-ever|url-status=live}}</ref> being the first portable console title to win such praise. Reviewers believed that 5th Cell delivered on their promise to allow nearly any possible object to be created for use in ''Scribblenauts'', but also lamented that the choice of controls in the game hampered their full enjoyment of the title. The success of the title has led to a number of sequels including ''[[Super Scribblenauts]]'', ''[[Scribblenauts Remix]]'', and ''[[Scribblenauts Unlimited]]''. The series has sold over 13 million copies.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hall|first1=Charlie|title=Scribblenauts team launching crowdfunding, investment campaign through Fig|url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/10/8/9474385/scribblenauts-launch-crowdfunding-investment-fig|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|access-date=14 October 2015|date=8 October 2015|archive-date=10 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010204432/http://www.polygon.com/2015/10/8/9474385/scribblenauts-launch-crowdfunding-investment-fig|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
[[File:Scribblenauts screenshot.png|left|thumb|200px|alt=A screenshot of Scribblenauts in the level "The Peak"|Screenshot of ''Scribblenauts''. The top screen displays an image of the level and various indicators. The bottom screen shows Maxwell, using a helicopter and rope to rescue an injured woman during one of the puzzle levels.]]
''Scribblenauts'' is an exclusively [[Side-scrolling video game|side-scrolling]] game controlled almost entirely with the [[Nintendo DS]] stylus, with the [[D-pad]] and face buttons controlling the camera and the left and right shoulder buttons rotating objects. The player controls a character named Maxwell, who must collect objects called "Starites" to complete each level. Maxwell is guided by tapping the touchscreen, or if the player taps an object, Maxwell will pick it up or be given other options for interacting with that object, such as riding a horse or bicycle or shooting at an object if he holds a weapon.<ref name="worlddebut1">{{cite web|title=World Debut: Scribblenauts|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/12/05/world-debut-scribblenauts|website=IGN.com|date=2008-12-05|access-date=2008-12-06|archive-date=2021-02-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224092001/https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/12/05/world-debut-scribblenauts|url-status=live}}</ref> A fundamental element of ''Scribblenauts'' is the ability of the player to summon myriad objects into the game. This is achieved by writing the name of an object on the touchscreen.<ref name="worlddebut1"/> For example, the player can write "ladder", summoning a ladder, which the player may use to climb to an out-of-reach Starite.<ref name="worlddebut1"/> The player may turn the ladder on its side and set it on fire.<ref name="worlddebut1"/> The player may also chain objects together, such as chaining a piece of meat to a pole and holding it while riding on a [[velociraptor|raptor]].<ref name="worlddebut1"/>

Summoned objects range among animals, weapons, forces of nature, famous people (both fictional and real), vehicles, household objects, [[easter egg (media)|easter eggs]] of the development team,<ref name="joystiq interview 2"/> and even [[internet meme]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://offworld.boingboing.net/2009/06/04/e309-scribblenauts-ds-settles.html|title=E309: Scribblenauts DS settles Kraken vs. God vs. Keyboard Cat debate|publisher=[[Boing Boing]]|first=Brandon|last=Boyer|date=2009-06-04|access-date=2009-06-04|archive-date=2013-05-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130506134507/http://offworld.boingboing.net/2009/06/04/e309-scribblenauts-ds-settles.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the game does not include [[trademark]]ed terms,<ref name="joystiq e3 impressions"/> nor potential profanity (summoning "ass" will spawn a [[donkey]]; summoning "cock" will spawn a [[rooster]]).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.crispygamer.com/previews/2009-06-05/the-five-scribblenauts.aspx | title=The Five: Scribblenauts | first=Scott | last=Jones | date= 2009-06-05 | access-date=2009-06-12 | publisher=[[Crispy Gamer]] | url-status=usurped | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090609054709/http://www.crispygamer.com/previews/2009-06-05/the-five-scribblenauts.aspx | archive-date = 2009-06-09}}</ref> The game includes a [[homonym]] system to offer the player possible choices between similar-sounding objects, such as distinguishing between a [[toy balloon]] and a [[hot-air balloon]]; there is also a spellchecker to provide close matches for misspelled words.<ref name="e3 dev walkthru"/> The North American release includes support for other languages including Brazilian Portuguese, French, and Spanish, with French-Canadian and Latin American variants available for words in the French and Spanish language sets, respectively.<ref name="wired words"/> The UK version also accounts for [[American and British English differences|difference between American and British English]], such as the differing meanings of the word "football".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5358954/uk-scribblenauts-has-ice-lollies-and-nappies|title=UK Scribblenauts Has Ice Lollies And Nappies|publisher=Kotaku|date=2009-09-14|access-date=2009-09-14|first=Mike|last=Fahey|archive-date=2009-09-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090922184327/http://kotaku.com/5358954/uk-scribblenauts-has-ice-lollies-and-nappies|url-status=live}}</ref> 5th Cell has stated that the limit to what objects may be summoned is up to the player's imagination.<ref name="worlddebut1"/> Players, using special software, claimed to have discovered that the full list of words tallies at 22,802 unique entries.<ref>{{cite web |last=McElroy |first=Griffin |date=2009-09-12 |title=There are 22,802 words in Scribblenauts |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/12/there-are-22-802-words-in-scribblenauts/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914085537/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/12/there-are-22-802-words-in-scribblenauts/ |archive-date=2009-09-14 |access-date=2009-09-12 |publisher=Joystiq}}</ref> In response, Slaczka said: "That was leaked by a hacker who does not know anything. It's more than that".<ref name="fastco">{{cite magazine |last=Ohannessian |first=Kevin |date=2009-09-15 |title=In Scribblenauts, Your Vocabulary Controls the Game |url=http://www.fastcompany.com/1356841/scribblenauts-your-vocabulary-controls-game |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006045202/http://www.fastcompany.com/1356841/scribblenauts-your-vocabulary-controls-game |archive-date=6 October 2012 |access-date=2009-09-15 |magazine=Fast Company}}</ref>

The game is segmented into 220 levels over 10 themed areas with 22 levels per world, and each given a 4 star ranking based on its difficulty, with later areas featuring more high ranked levels. Puzzles are given a par for the number of objects they can summon, typically being between two and four, though the player is free to summon more, so long as there is space in the meter at the top screen (summoning the same number of objects as the par or less earns more points).<ref name="wired words">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2009/06/scribblenauts/|title=How Innovative Scribblenauts Recognizes 10,000 Different Words|first=Tracey|last=John|date=2009-06-17|access-date=2009-06-17|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|archive-date=2014-04-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411190555/http://www.wired.com/2009/06/scribblenauts/|url-status=live}}</ref> There are two types of levels—puzzle and action levels. Puzzle levels are real-life situations (such as having to open a piñata) where the Starite is awarded once the puzzle is solved, while action levels will appeal to gamers that prefer side-scrolling platformers, featuring switches, spike traps, and other similar elements.<ref name="mtvinterview">{{cite web|title='Scribblenauts' DS Developer Consults Spreadsheet To Sell Me On His Game|url=http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/12/19/scribblenauts-ds-developer-skepticism/|first=Stephen|last=Tolito|publisher=MTV.com|access-date=2008-12-20|date=2008-12-19|archive-date=2008-12-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222000120/http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/12/19/scribblenauts-ds-developer-skepticism/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Players are awarded "merits" for completing levels while meeting certain requirements, such as not summoning any weapon-like object. Once the player completes a level, a silver star appears on the level selection button and a "Free play" mode is unlocked. At that point, the player is given the option to play through the level three consecutive times without reusing objects. Successfully completing the challenge grants the player a gold star for that level.<ref name="worlddebut1"/><ref name="e3 dev walkthru">{{cite web|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/zix8j6/scribblenauts-e3-09--developer-walkthrough|title=E3 09: Developer Walkthrough HD|publisher=[[GameTrailers]]|date=2009-06-04|access-date=2009-06-06|format=[[Adobe Flash|Flash]]|archive-date=2014-03-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322145553/http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/zix8j6/scribblenauts-e3-09--developer-walkthrough|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="video gamer preview">{{cite web|url=http://www.videogamer.com/ds/scribblenauts/preview-1953.html|title=Scribblenauts Preview|publisher=videogamer.com|first=Neon|last=Kelly|date=2009-08-27|access-date=2009-08-28|archive-date=2012-10-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003103027/http://www.videogamer.com/ds/scribblenauts/preview-1953.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Scribblenauts'' presents a simplistic storyline, as the developers wished to focus on engaging gameplay.<ref name="worlddebut1"/> The game always rewards the player with "Ollars", its in-game money, to allow them to purchase new areas, different avatars and other visual changes to the game.<ref name="wired words"/><ref name="pocketgamer interview"/>

The game includes a level editor, allowing users to share these levels over the Nintendo Wi-Fi system. The player can start with any level that they have already beaten from the main game, and add new objects with new game properties. These new properties can vary significantly from the normal behavior, such as having a bear able to eat a plane.<ref name="joystiq interview 2"/>

==Development==
[[File:Gdc2010 jeremiah  slaczka.jpg|right|thumb|[[Jeremiah Slaczka]], creative director for 5th Cell, upon receiving the [[Game Developers Choice Awards|Game Developers Choice Award]] for Best Handheld Game for ''Scribblenauts'' during the 2010 [[Game Developers Conference]].]]
''Scribblenauts'' was first conceived in the second quarter of 2007, near the same time that they had envisioned ''[[Lock's Quest]]''.<ref name="worlddebut1"/> [[Creative Director]] for [[5th Cell]], [[Jeremiah Slaczka]], stated that they were seeking counterparts of ''[[Nintendogs]]'' and ''[[Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day!|Brain Age]]'', games that had attracted a much wider demographic than most other niche games, that 5th Cell could develop.<ref name="fastco"/><ref name="pocketgamer interview">{{cite web|url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/DS/Scribblenauts/news.asp?c=14108|title=Interview: 5TH Cell's Slaczka talks about E3 DS hit Scribblenauts|first=Jon|last=Jordan|date=2009-06-29|access-date=2009-06-29|publisher=[[Pocket Gamer]]|archive-date=2009-09-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090909002426/http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/DS/Scribblenauts/news.asp?c=14108|url-status=live}}</ref> The concept of ''Scribblenauts'' came from a combination of a previous idea he had for the DS that was similar to ''[[Mad Libs]]'' and a dream of his.<ref name="gamasutra"/> An example given for the Mad Libs was that players could write a Mad Lib of a "dog walking through a forest", and a dog would appear in a forest and walk through it, but he realized the game would be tedious and that players would only be interested in using keywords. The dream was of being inside an [[Aztec]] [[temple]] and having to solve puzzles; one in particular involved three paintings, with the objective being straightening them and then moving on to the next room through a portal.<ref name="gamasutra"/> While he thought it was a good idea for a game, he also felt that it lacked both a hook and replayability. He debated whether this would work best on the [[Wii]] or the [[Nintendo DS|DS]], but later decided to combine the writing element with a puzzle element to fix the lack of replayability.<ref name="mtvinterview"/> Slaczka realized that the concept of the game might be considered impossible by other programmers, but found that 5th Cell's [[Technical Director]] Marius Fahlbusch felt confident they could create the required elements.<ref name="worlddebut1"/> The developers considered that the nature of the flexible and sometimes unforeseen solutions made the game strongly promote [[emergent gameplay]].<ref name="worlddebut1"/>

During development, Slaczka and the team tried to figure out what they could do with the DS hardware, trying to make ''Scribblenauts'' appeal to everyone. As ''Lock's Quest'' was thought of first, they focused on releasing that game first while beginning the development of ''Scribblenauts''. The game entered [[beta (software development)|beta]] around May 2009, and had numerous play-testers exploring the game.<ref name="ign interview"/> About half of 5th Cell's staff worked on the game.<ref name="worlddebut1"/> It was developed alongside the DS version of ''[[Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter]]''.<ref name="gamasutra"/><ref name="joystiq interview">{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/20/joystiq-interview-scribblenauts-jeremiah-slaczka/|title=Joystiq interview: Scribblenauts' Jeremiah Slaczka|publisher=Joystiq|access-date=2009-06-14|date=2009-02-20|first=JC|last=Fletcher|archive-date=2009-06-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627024002/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/20/joystiq-interview-scribblenauts-jeremiah-slaczka/|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Scribblenauts'' was originally developed without having a publisher for the game.<ref name="worlddebut1"/> Slaczka noted that unlike other games where the developers could complete and polish a single level to garner interest while work on the rest of the game continued, ''Scribblenauts'' needed to show support for its large dictionary from the start, making it difficult to promote the game.<ref name="pocketgamer interview"/> The company was in negotiations with a publisher in the early part of 2009, letting that publisher decide when it would be best to announce the game.<ref name="joystiq interview"/> [[Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment]] officially became the publisher for ''Scribblenauts'' that May.<ref name="publisher1">{{cite web|title=Scribblenauts Gets a Publisher|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/05/01/scribblenauts-gets-a-publisher|website=IGN|access-date=2009-05-02|date=2009-05-01|first=Mark|last=Bozen|archive-date=2012-11-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107005335/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/05/01/scribblenauts-gets-a-publisher|url-status=live}}</ref> Slaczka noted that of the other publishers they talked to, they felt Warner Bros. was the best one, particularly due to their proximity to 5th Cell and their interest in the title.<ref name="ign interview">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/05/01/interview-5th-cell-talks-scribble|title=Interview: 5TH CELL Talks Scribble|website=IGN|date=2009-05-01|access-date=2009-06-14|first=Mark|last=Bozen|archive-date=2012-11-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107005328/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/05/01/interview-5th-cell-talks-scribble|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Scribblenauts'' was originally titled "Wordplay", but the team felt that this was "generic". The title ''Scribblenauts'' began as a temporary name that would be effective for pitching the game, but as development proceeded, the team couldn't think of a better one, so the name stuck and became the final title of the product.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vg247.com/2009/10/03/5th-cell-says-original-name-for-scribblenauts-was-wordplay/|title=5th Cell says original name for Scribblenauts was "Wordplay"|first=Stephany|last=Nunneley|date=2009-10-03|access-date=2009-10-07|website=VG247|archive-date=2020-08-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809210521/https://www.vg247.com/2009/10/03/5th-cell-says-original-name-for-scribblenauts-was-wordplay/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Konami]] published the game in Japan in January 2011; this localized version features Konami characters such as [[Solid Snake|Old Snake]], [[LovePlus|Manaka Takane]] and the [[Gradius|Vic Viper]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://kotaku.com/5745630/scribblenauts-has-changed/ | title = Scribblenauts Has Changed | publisher = Kotaku | date = 2011-01-28 | access-date = 2015-01-07 | first = Luke | last = Plunkett | archive-date = 2018-12-14 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181214114654/https://kotaku.com/5745630/scribblenauts-has-changed/ | url-status = live}}</ref>

===Engine===
The core engine of ''Scribblenauts'' is a [[Data-driven design|data-driven]] engine called "Objectnaut" created by Fahlbusch.<ref name="worlddebut1"/> Within Objectnaut, each object is given a set of properties, including physical characteristics, [[artificial intelligence]] behavior, and how the player (through Maxwell) can interact with it.<ref name="worlddebut1"/> Five people from the team spent six months researching dictionaries and encyclopedias to create a large database of objects within the Objectnaut's framework, and then mapped out a hierarchy of data from this information.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/696607/5-people-spent-6-months-researching-words-for-scribblenauts/|title=5 People Spent 6 Months Researching Words For Scribblenauts|first=Patrick|last=Klepek|date=2009-06-16|access-date=2009-06-16|publisher=[[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4 TV]]|archive-date=2013-01-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130112012821/http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/696607/5-people-spent-6-months-researching-words-for-scribblenauts/|url-status=live}}</ref> For example, every [[mammal]]-based object in the game is given the property of having "organic flesh", allowing it to be eaten or turned into meat, without having to specify these functions for each type of mammal they used.<ref name="worlddebut1"/> The Objectnaut approach allowed the team to create two distinct objects for words that may have similar meanings simply by adjusting each word's properties in the database: "[[lion]]", "[[tiger]]" and "[[leopard]]" while similar will behave differently and have different art assets,<ref name="eurogamer preview">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/scribblenauts-preview|title=Scribblenauts|website=[[Eurogamer]]|date=2009-02-06|access-date=2009-06-14|first=Christian|last=Donlan|archive-date=2009-06-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611042527/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/scribblenauts-preview|url-status=live}}</ref> while the only difference in the game between "[[croissant]]" and "[[danish pastry|danish]]" is that the danish may be able to roll like a wheel.<ref name="joystiq interview"/> The team made sure to balance the abilities of the various objects that could be summoned to avoid creating an "[[Über|uber]] character" that would act as a [[skeleton key]] for solving all of the levels, and give players more courage to try different elements.<ref name="joystiq interview 2"/> Slaczka noted that he would be frequently asked if certain difficult words were in the game when interviewed by the press, most of the time being able to respond affirmatively to these questions.<ref name="ign interview"/> In an example given by Slaczka, a "hardcore" journalist wanted twenty minutes with the game to try to stump it during the [[E3 2009|2009 E3 convention]], but, according to Slaczka, "he had a real hard time stumping it and shook my hand" after that period.<ref name="joystiq interview 2">{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/10/interview-scribblenauts-creative-director-jeremiah-slaczka/|title=Interview: Scribblenauts creative director Jeremiah Slaczka|first=JC|last=Fletcher|date=2009-07-10|access-date=2009-07-10|publisher=Joystiq|archive-date=2009-07-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712012934/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/10/interview-scribblenauts-creative-director-jeremiah-slaczka/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Designing each item required the developers to go word-by-word. Slaczka said that certain kinds of words, such as cheeses, require little to no differences, besides items such as [[Limburger]] which would scare people away from it. The developers used discretion when deciding what to make look different, providing a cyborg, robot, and android, which he felt were different enough to require their own individual designs. He later stated that there was no way to test out each item and each way they interact with another item, as it was virtually impossible for them to accomplish this, using an example of an airplane being frozen, brought back in time, placing an old man on top of it, bringing it back to present time, and setting it on fire. Slaczka said that while many games create a first level with enemies and platforms, polishing the level and moving on, the players can write any item available in level one that they can write in a later level. He commented that if players wrote "anvil" and it was missing its "heavy" property, they may be turned off of the game. They spent roughly 80% of the development fine-tuning the various items, and as such, they could not provide a preview to demonstrate the game.<ref name="gamasutra"/>

Each of the words programmed into the game has associated art with it led by 5th Cell artist Edison Yan. The task of creating the art was simplified through the "minimal" design style of 5th Cell's previous games.<ref name="worlddebut1"/> Each object is rendered as in [[3D computer graphics|3D]] with objects acting as doll on a [[2D computer graphics|2D]] [[Plane (geometry)|plane]].<ref name="worlddebut1"/> This was chosen to avoid having to create a large number of animations for 2D.<ref name="worlddebut1"/> The development team had to design each AI-controlled object by hand, according to Slaczka, describing how the objects moves, and what it likes and dislikes, how much health it has, and other possible characteristics.<ref name="gamasutra">{{cite web |title=Fountain of Scribbles: 5th Cell's Jeremiah Slaczka Speaks |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/4157/fountain_of_scribbles_5th_cells_.php |website=[[Gamasutra]] |access-date=2009-10-13 |date=2009-10-09 |archive-date=2009-10-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091012104816/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/4157/fountain_of_scribbles_5th_cells_.php |url-status=dead}}</ref> Level design focused on providing a large variety of situations, including splitting levels between Puzzle and Action types, to avoid having the player develop a limited toolbox of common words and not exploring other possible solutions.<ref name="pocketgamer interview"/> Much of the initial level development was done on paper and to explore situations not commonly found in video games, due to their vocabulary system. They ended up selecting more than a hundred levels out of over seven hundred they had generated internally for the game.<ref name="gamasutra postmortem"/> Both Merits and Ollars were added to reward the player for completion, with Slaczka comparing these to [[Gamerscore|Xbox Live Achievements]].<ref name="pocketgamer interview"/>

The game primarily uses the touchscreen to control Maxwell and other objects; the developers considered using the directional pad of the DS but realized that they would still need to rely on the touchscreen for certain actions and thus focused most of the game's controls through that interface.<ref name="ign interview"/> The game includes 5th Cell's own [[handwriting recognition|handwriting recognition system]] for writing down objects which Slaczka considered to be better than [[Nintendo]]'s own system for ''Brain Age''.<ref name="ign interview"/> The team included a virtual keyboard in addition to this system knowing that even "the human brain can't understand chicken scratch".<ref name="ign interview"/>

===Promotion===
[[File:Scribblenauts-launch-event.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Customers wearing rooster hats while waiting in line for the start of ''Scribblenauts'' launch event.|Customers with their "rooster hats" pre-order bonus for waiting in line for the start of ''Scribblenauts'' launch event on September 13, 2009, at the Nintendo World Store in New York City.]]
Players who pre-ordered the game at [[GameStop]] and [[EB Games]] in the United States, Canada, and Australia received a replica of Maxwell's "rooster hat",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/07/28/scribblenauts-gamestop-pre-order-bonus|title=Scribblenauts GameStop Pre-order Bonus|date=2009-07-28|access-date=2009-07-28|first=Matt|last=Casamassina|website=IGN|archive-date=2021-04-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416003752/https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/07/28/scribblenauts-gamestop-pre-order-bonus|url-status=live}}</ref> a term coined by ''[[Destructoid]]'' according to Slaczka.<ref name="joystiq interview 2"/> The game was launched by a special event at the [[Nintendo World Store]] in [[New York City]] on September 13, 2009, with Slaczka and other 5th Cell developers on hand for the event.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/03/special-scribblenauts-launch-at-nintendo-world-store-sept-13/|title=Special Scribblenauts launch at Nintendo World store Sept. 13|publisher=Joystiq|date=2009-09-03|access-date=2009-09-03|first=Alexander|last=Sliwinski|archive-date=2015-01-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150130165514/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/03/special-scribblenauts-launch-at-nintendo-world-store-sept-13/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Reception==
===Pre-release===
The game was well received at the [[E3 2009|2009 E3 Convention]] and was considered the "sleeper hit" of the show.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2009/06/desktopnauts.php | title = Desktopnauts | date = 2009-06-11 | access-date = 2009-06-11 | first = Eric | last = Caoili | publisher = [[Game Set Watch]] | archive-date = 2009-06-14 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090614180432/http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2009/06/desktopnauts.php | url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/696289/scribblenauts-a-preview-of-the-sleeper-hit-of-e3-2009/ | title = Scribblenauts: A Preview Of The Sleeper Hit Of E3 2009 | first = Stephan | last = Johnson | date = 2009-06-05 | access-date = 2009-06-11 | publisher = [[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4TV]] | archive-date = 2013-01-12 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130112005928/http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/696289/Scribblenauts-A-Preview-Of-The-Sleeper-Hit-Of-E3-2009/ | url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=23930 | title = E3 Interview: Nintendo's Kaigler: 'We Need Core Gamers' | first = Christian | last = Nutt | date = 2009-06-04 | access-date = 2009-06-11 | website = [[Gamasutra]] | archive-date = 2009-06-08 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090608163316/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=23930 | url-status = dead}}</ref><ref name="success at e3">{{cite web | url = http://www.crispygamer.com/features/2009-06-11/scribblenauts-how-a-nobody-game-became-the-talk-of-this-years-e3.aspx | title = Scribblenauts: How a Nobody Game Became the Talk of This Year's E3 | publisher = [[Crispy Gamer]] | first = Robert | last = Ashley | date = 2009-06-11 | access-date=  2009-06-11 | url-status = usurped | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140722213017/http://www.crispygamer.com/features/2009-06-11/scribblenauts-how-a-nobody-game-became-the-talk-of-this-years-e3.aspx | archive-date=2014-07-22}}</ref> ''Scribblenauts'' is the first portable video game in history to win "Best of Show" awards for E3 from any major gaming media outlet.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://kotaku.com/5291395/portable-game-beats-console-games-for-the-first-time-ever | title = Portable Game Beats Console Games For... The First Time Ever? | date = 2009-06-15 | access-date = 2009-06-15 | first = Stephan | last = Tolito | publisher = Kotaku | archive-date = 2009-06-18 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090618174118/http://kotaku.com/5291395/portable-game-beats-console-games-for-the-first-time-ever | url-status = live}}</ref> The game was named "Best Original Game" and "Best Handheld Game" by the [[Game Critics Awards]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/2009winners.html | title = Best of E3 2009 | date = 2009-06-23 | access-date = 2009-06-23 | publisher = [[Game Critics Awards]] | archive-date = 2015-08-10 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150810094025/http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/2009winners.html | url-status = live}}</ref> ''Scribblenauts'' was named the overall "Best of Show" by ''[[GameSpot]]'', ''[[GameSpy]]'', and ''[[IGN]]'', in addition to other awards.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespy.com/articles/993/993100p1.html | title = GameSpy's Best of E3 2009 Awards | date = 2009-06-10 | access-date = 2009-06-11 | publisher = [[GameSpy]] | author = GameSpy Staff | archive-date = 2012-07-03 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120703165510/http://www.gamespy.com/articles/993/993100p1.html | url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="ign e3 best">{{cite web | url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/06/12/igns-overall-best-of-e3-2009-awards | title = IGN's Overall Best of E3 2009 Awards | date = 2009-06-12 | access-date = 2009-06-12 | website = IGN | author = IGN Editorial Staff | archive-date = 2012-10-26 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121026040835/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/06/12/igns-overall-best-of-e3-2009-awards | url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.gamespot.com/special_feature/e3-2009-editors-choice/?tag=topslot;title;1 | title = E3 '09 Editors Choice Awards | website = [[GameSpot]] | date = 2009-06-13 | access-date = 2009-06-12 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121106013529/http://www.gamespot.com/special_feature/e3-2009-editors-choice/game-of-the-show/index.html | archive-date=2012-11-06}}</ref> ''[[1UP.com]]'' named ''Scribblenauts'' their E3's "Most Innovative" title.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=0&cId=3174543 | title = 1UP's Best Games of E3 2009 | website = [[1UP.com]] | author = 1UP Staff | date = 2009-06-11 | access-date = 2009-06-12 | archive-date = 2012-10-20 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121020014632/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=0&cId=3174543 | url-status = live}}</ref> ''[[X-Play]]'' gave the game its E3 "Best Original Game" and "Best Handheld Game" awards.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.g4tv.com/games/PS3/44695/god-of-war-iii/articles/67340/x-plays-best-of-e3-2009/ | title = X-Play's Best of E3 2009 | first = Andrew | last = Pfister | date = 2009-06-08 | access-date = 2009-06-12 | publisher = [[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4TV]] | archive-date = 2013-10-17 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131017171946/http://www.g4tv.com/games/PS3/44695/god-of-war-iii/articles/67340/x-plays-best-of-e3-2009/ | url-status = dead}}</ref> ''[[Ars Technica]]'' considered the game as the show's "Most Pleasant Surprise".<ref>{{cite web | url = https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2009/06/e3-2009-who-won-who-lost-who-wins-a-golden-ars/ | title = E3 2009: Who won? Who lost? Who wins a golden Ars? | first = Ben | last = Kuchera | date = 2009-06-08 | access-date = 2009-06-11 | website = Ars Technica | archive-date = 2012-06-08 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120608024735/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2009/06/e3-2009-who-won-who-lost-who-wins-a-golden-ars/ | url-status = live}}</ref> ''[[Joystiq]]'' performed a ten-word test of the game, and found only one word, "plumbob", was not yet present in the game, but were promised it would be in the final version.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/05/scribblenauts-passes-our-ten-word-challenge-with-flying-colors/ | title = Scribblenauts passes our ten-word challenge with flying colors | publisher = Joystiq | first = Griffin | last = McElroy | date = 2009-06-05 | access-date = 2009-06-11 | archive-date = 2009-06-11 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090611155333/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/05/scribblenauts-passes-our-ten-word-challenge-with-flying-colors | url-status = live}}</ref> Part of the success at E3 was considered partially due to the inclusion of then-recent [[Keyboard Cat]] Internet meme, which led to a [[grassroots]]-type excitement about the game at the convention.<ref name="success at e3"/><ref name="ign e3 best"/><ref name="nytimes review">{{cite news | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/10/arts/television/10scribble.html | title = Lay Down the Guns and Swords; Your Best Weapon Is the Dictionary | first = Seth | last = Schiesel | date = 2009-10-09 | access-date = 2009-10-21 | work = [[New York Times]] | archive-date = 2013-07-04 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130704144743/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/10/arts/television/10scribble.html | url-status = live}}</ref> [[Adam Sessler]] of ''[[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4 TV]]'' believed that ''Scribblenauts''{{'}} E3 success was from being a small but successful game from a small company in contrast to numerous other premier titles from other major developers and publishers that have become standard for the convention, such that the uniqueness of everything about the game made it the standout title of the show.<ref>{{cite video | url = http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/696848/sesslers-soapbox-scribblenauts-makes-adam-happy/ | people = Sessler, Adam | title = Sessler's Soapbox: Scribblenauts Makes Adam Happy! | date = 2009-06-24 | access-date = 2009-06-25 | publisher = [[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4 TV]] | time = 3:20 | archive-date = 2013-01-12 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130112015136/http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/696848/sesslers-soapbox-scribblenauts-makes-adam-happy/ | url-status = live}}</ref> ''Scribblenauts'' was given a much more predominate display in Warner Bros. Interactive's booth at the next major convention, the 2009 [[Comic-Con International]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/24/comic-con-scribblenauts-towers-over-everything/ | title = Comic-Con 2009: Scribblenauts towers over everything | publisher = Joystiq | first = Kevin | last = Kelly | date = 2009-07-24 | access-date = 2009-08-05 | archive-date = 2009-07-28 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090728071210/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/24/comic-con-scribblenauts-towers-over-everything | url-status = live}}</ref> ''IGN'' listed ''Scribblenauts'' in a preview of [[Nintendo DS]] games in 2009, labeling it as one of their top picks for the year. They described it as "quite possibly one of the system's most ambitious designs yet".<ref name="ds2009">{{cite web|title=IGN Nintendo DS 2009 Preview|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/01/21/ign-nintendo-ds-2009-preview|website=IGN|author=IGN Nintendo Team|access-date=2009-03-04|date=2009-01-21|archive-date=2012-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120903142408/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/01/21/ign-nintendo-ds-2009-preview|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Scribblenauts post217.png|thumb|right|alt="Post 217" as drawn by 5th Cell artist, Edison Yan|"Post 217" as drawn by 5th Cell artist Edison Yan, based on a NeoGAF post, has been used as promotional material for the game.]]
One example of the possibilities of ''Scribblenauts'' that led to further attention to the game are given in the [[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]]'s attempt to describe the "cartoon violence" and "comic mischief" within the game as to grant it an "E10+" rating. The ESRB's description includes possible examples of the game's level of violence as "a club can be used to hit an animal; steak can be attached to a baby to attract lions; rockets can be lobbed at a man".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.esrb.org/ratings/synopsis.jsp?Certificate=26980 | title = Rating Information — Scribblenauts | publisher = [[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]] | access-date = 2009-07-11 | archive-date = 2009-07-11 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090711175110/http://www.esrb.org/ratings/synopsis.jsp?Certificate=26980 | url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/697298/scribblenauts-gets-best-esrb-description-ever/ | title = Scribblenauts Gets Best ESRB Description Ever! | first = Brian | last = Leahy | date = 2009-07-11 | access-date = 2009-07-11 | publisher = [[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4TV]] | archive-date = 2013-01-12 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130112023158/http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/697298/scribblenauts-gets-best-esrb-description-ever/ | url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.vg247.com/2009/07/10/scribblenauts-includes-vomit-and-cabbage/ | title = Scribblenauts includes "vomit" and "cabbage" | website = [[VG247]] | date = 2009-07-10 | access-date = 2009-07-11 | first = Patrick | last = Garratt | archive-date = 2009-08-02 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090802115218/http://www.vg247.com/2009/07/10/scribblenauts-includes-vomit-and-cabbage/ | url-status = live}}</ref> In a post at [[NeoGAF]] within a thread dedicated to the game, user "Feep" relayed the experience of discovering during E3 that he was able to go back in time with a time machine to collect a [[dinosaur]] in order to defeat an army of robot zombies that could not be defeated with regular weapons.<ref name="joystiq e3 impressions">{{cite web | url = http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/05/hands-on-scribblenauts/ | title = Hands-on: Scribblenauts | publisher = Joystiq | date = 2009-06-05 | access-date = 2009-06-12 | first = Griffon | last = McElroy | archive-date = 2013-01-27 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130127145902/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/05/hands-on-scribblenauts/ | url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="success at e3"/><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.usaweekend.com/09_issues/091108/091108games-scribblenauts.html | title = A game to help you think creatively | first = Charles | last = Harold | date = 2009-11-08 | access-date = 2009-11-06 | work = [[USA Today]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121109081150/http://159.54.226.237/09_issues/091108/091108games-scribblenauts.html | archive-date = 2012-11-09 | url-status = dead}}</ref> The story, as memorialized as "Post 217", has led to 5th Cell artist Edison Yan creating a desktop wallpaper image of the story, in appreciation of the positive fan response to the game, and the terms "Post Two One Seven", "Feep", and "Neogaf" have been included as summonable objects in the game.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/15/celebrate-a-legendary-scribblenauts-moment-with-this-wallpaper/ | title = Celebrate a legendary Scribblenauts moment with this wallpaper | first = JC | last = Fletcher | date = 2009-06-15 | access-date = 2009-06-15 | publisher = Joystiq | archive-date = 2012-07-14 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120714083655/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/15/celebrate-a-legendary-scribblenauts-moment-with-this-wallpaper/ | url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://offworld.boingboing.net/2009/06/15/one-shot-the-scribblenauts-tim.html | title = One shot: the Scribblenauts time-travelling T-rex robot-zombie smashing wallpaper | publisher = [[Boing Boing]] | date = 2009-06-16 | access-date = 2009-06-16 | first = Brandon | last = Boyer | archive-date = 2015-01-08 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150108010142/http://offworld.boingboing.net/2009/06/15/one-shot-the-scribblenauts-tim.html | url-status = live}}</ref> [[Jeremiah Slaczka]] credits the word-of-mouth popularity of "Post 217" for part of the game's success at E3, and noted that he had contacted Feep to gain his permission to include "Feep" (appearing as a robot zombie) within the game.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2009/09/qa_scribblenauts_emerges_as_breakthrough_game_for_5th_cell.html?surround=lfn | title = Q&A: Scribblenauts emerges as breakthrough game for 5th Cell | first = Aaron | last = Broder | date = 2009-09-08 | access-date = 2009-09-13 | publisher = Tech Flash | archive-date = 2014-03-22 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140322092905/http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2009/09/qa_scribblenauts_emerges_as_breakthrough_game_for_5th_cell.html?surround=lfn | url-status = live}}</ref> The NeoGAF forums proceeded to expand on their praise for the game by creating a series of [[avatar (computing)|avatar]]s of video game and other related characters (which will not otherwise appear in the game due to trademark issues) for their forums inspired by Yan's art design, and some of the members that created the avatars were contacted to work in the second game, ''[[Super Scribblenauts]]''.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://tinycartridge.com/post/131966356/scribblenaut-ized-heavy-spy-and-pyro-by-turk128 | title = Scribblenaut-ized Heavy, Spy, and Pyro by Turk128. | publisher = Tiny Cartridge | date = 2009-07-03 | access-date = 2009-07-10 | first = Eric | last = Caoili | newspaper = Tiny Cartridge 3Ds | archive-date = 2009-07-02 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090702035259/http://tinycartridge.com/post/131966356/scribblenaut-ized-heavy-spy-and-pyro-by-turk128 | url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://kotaku.com/5303468/if-only-these-characters-were-actually-in-scribblenauts | title = If Only These Characters Were Actually In Scribblenauts... | first = Luke | last = Pluckett | date = 2009-06-29 | access-date = 2009-07-10 | publisher = Kotaku | archive-date = 2009-07-12 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090712033301/http://kotaku.com/5303468/if-only-these-characters-were-actually-in-scribblenauts | url-status = live}}</ref> Yan himself has drawn several more avatars in the same style for other games such as ''[[Street Fighter II]]'' and ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]''.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://tinycartridge.com/post/138099001/scribblenaut-ized-street-fighter-2-cast-by-edison | title = Scribblenaut-ized Street Fighter 2 cast by Edison Yan | publisher = Tiny Cartridge | date = 2009-07-09 | access-date = 2009-07-10 | first = Eric | last = Caoili | newspaper = Tiny Cartridge 3Ds | archive-date = 2009-07-12 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090712064130/http://tinycartridge.com/post/138099001/scribblenaut-ized-street-fighter-2-cast-by-edison | url-status = live}}</ref>

===Release===
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 79/100<ref>{{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 = 2009-09-15 | archive-date = 2010-09-13 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100913032005/http://www.metacritic.com/game/ds/scribblenauts | url-status = live}}</ref>
| 1UP = B+<ref name="1up review"/>
| EuroG = 7/10<ref name="eurogamer review"/>
| G4 = 4/5<ref name="g4tv review"/>
| GI = 8.75/10<ref name="gi review">{{cite magazine | url = http://gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/0B60FEA4-62A9-48D8-91C2-266B01E65C22.htm | title = Scribblenauts | date = 2009-09-16 | access-date = 2009-09-16 | magazine = [[Game Informer]] |first = Andrew | last = Reiner | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090923212401/http://gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/0B60FEA4-62A9-48D8-91C2-266B01E65C22.htm | archive-date = 2009-09-23}}</ref>
| GSpy = {{rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="gamespy review"/>
| IGN = 8.7/10<ref name="ign review"/>
}}

''Scribblenauts'' was found by reviewers to live up to the premise that the game was built on the ability to bring about nearly any object imagined into the game. John Walker of ''[[Eurogamer]]'' considered the game "an incredible achievement", with its word database "so utterly complete in its collection of everything ever in the universe".<ref name="eurogamer review">{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/scribblenauts-review | title = Scribblenauts review | first = John | last = Walker | date = 2009-09-15 | access-date = 2009-09-15 | website = [[Eurogamer]] | archive-date = 2009-09-16 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090916174507/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/scribblenauts-review | url-status = live}}</ref> Craig Harris of ''IGN'' asserted that "the developers fully deliver on [the] promise" of allowing players to summon nearly any imagined object, and the core game alone is an "incredibly versatile Nintendo DS experience".<ref name="ign review">{{cite web | url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/09/15/scribblenauts-review | title = Scribblenauts review | first = Craig | last = Harris | website = IGN | date = 2009-09-15 | access-date = 2009-09-15 | archive-date = 2012-09-08 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120908003058/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/09/15/scribblenauts-review | url-status = live}}</ref> Ben Kuchera of ''Ars Technica'' praises the game as "undeniably new and impressive" and urged players to support games that take risks with their innovation.<ref name="ars tech review"/> Ray Barnholt of ''1UP.com'' noted that while the game "isn't exactly the be-all end-all videogame" that it received prior to release, the game remains "unmissable" due to its sheer novelty value.<ref name="1up review">{{cite web | url = http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3176047&p=39 | title = Scribblenauts (Nintendo DS) | first = Ray | last = Barnholt | date = 2009-09-15 | access-date = 2009-09-15 | website = [[1UP.com]] | archive-date = 2012-11-09 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121109104006/http://www.1up.com/reviews/scribblenauts-review | url-status = live}}</ref> The game's feature of forcing the player to consider different solutions when replaying levels was seen by Anthony Gallegos of ''GameSpy'' as a "really clever way to encourage replayability while subtly upping the challenge".<ref name="gamespy review">{{cite web | url = http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/scribblenauts/1024739p1.html | title = The Consensus: Scribblenauts Review | first = Anthony | last = Gallegos | date = 2009-09-15 | access-date = 2009-09-15 | publisher = [[GameSpy]] | archive-date = 2009-09-22 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090922165818/http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/scribblenauts/1024739p1.html | url-status = live}}</ref>

The common criticism among reviewers was the game's poor controls, to the point that the implementation "almost kills a fantastic game", according to ''IGN''{{'}}s Harris.<ref name="ign review"/> Reviews specifically commented how the touch screen is used both to manipulate the objects placed in the game and to move Maxwell; this would result in inadvertently having Maxwell walk to his death or to disrupt a delicately prepared arrangement of objects prior to being ready to move him.<ref name="ign review"/> Craig Harris of ''IGN'' notes that while one can direct Maxwell indirectly, the character would often fail to avoid or overcome simple obstacles, similar to troop movements in [[real-time strategy game]]s, such that overcoming these issues requires a significant amount of precise controls by the player.<ref name="ign review"/> It was suggested that while it was understood why [[5th Cell]] opted to use the touchscreen in this manner to avoid too much flipping between the stylus and face-button controls, they would have appreciated the option for customizing the controls.<ref name="ign review"/> The decision to use the touch screen controls was described by Walker as "possibly the most wildly stupid design decision of all time", and that if the movement controls were mapped to the face buttons, the game would have been a "beautiful thing".<ref name="eurogamer review"/> Walker also questioned the choice to have the game's camera snap back to Maxwell as soon as the controls for it were released by the player, as it made it both difficult to set up objects that were off-screen from Maxwell, and to watch the results of certain interactions, such as fights between computer-controlled characters, that occurred off-screen.<ref name="eurogamer review"/>

When it is possible to connect objects to other objects, reviewers found that finding the connection points to be difficult, and would often trigger Maxwell to move.<ref name="ars tech review"/> Barnholt described the entire game as feeling like a prototype with its odd physics, and not as polished as 5th Cell's previous games, though acknowledged the overall game is still an impressive feat for the small development team.<ref name="1up review"/> ''IGN''{{'}}s Ryan Geddes criticized the game's poor controls and physics, demanding patience to overcome, and raised concerns that the title was rushed to market after its overwhelming positive response from the E3 convention.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/09/29/scribblenauts-another-take | title = Scribblenauts: Another Take | website = IGN | first = Ryan | last = Geddes | date = 2009-09-29 | access-date = 2009-09-30 | archive-date = 2012-11-07 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121107005420/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/09/29/scribblenauts-another-take | url-status = live}}</ref> In a [[Postmortem documentation|postmortem]], 5th Cell's co-founder Joseph Tringali said that they were aware that the controls would take "a big hit" from game reviewers, and attempted to work in a face-button control scheme, but would have not been able to complete it within the deadline set by their self-funded schedule. Tringali further noted that they did not spend as much time on the stylus controls earlier in development, and would have considered sacrificing another feature, like the Nintendo Wi-Fi, to improve them.<ref name="gamasutra postmortem">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=25950 | title = Postmortem: Behind The Scenes Of Scribblenauts | website = [[Gamasutra]] | author = Gamasutra Staff | date = 2009-11-16 | access-date = 2009-11-16 | archive-date = 2009-11-25 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091125012024/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=25950 | url-status = dead}}</ref>

Reviewers also identified some unexpected behavior from some objects or combinations of them, such as attempting to direct a non-player character in picking up an object, leading to an inconsistency in the difficulty of the various puzzles.<ref name="gi review"/> Ben Kuchera of ''Ars Technica'', in calling ''Scribblenauts'' "a frustrating, often maddening game", described that he often encounters puzzles that, after trying several solutions that should have worked by common sense, he eventually happened upon a less logical solution that worked.<ref name="ars tech review">{{cite web | 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 | first = Ben | last = Carson | date = 2009-09-15 | access-date = 2009-09-15 | archive-date = 2012-10-20 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121020102424/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2009/09/scribblenauts-is-genius-maddening-ars-reviews-hit-of-e3/ | url-status = live}}</ref> Walker considered the puzzles range "between uninspired and simple and frustratingly obscure and fiddly".<ref name="eurogamer review"/> Many critics experienced that after getting stumped on a puzzle, they would often resort to playing around in the free play mode.<ref name="eurogamer review"/> ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' magazine identified that the free play mode was more enjoyable as it masked the problems with controls, physics, and the general structure of the puzzle game that followed it, and considered what improvements in these modes could be made to create an experience closer to that of ''[[LittleBigPlanet]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine | url = http://edge-online.com/blogs/little-big-scribble | title = Little Big Scribble | date = 2009-10-06 | access-date = 2009-10-07 | magazine = [[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100128110242/http://www.edge-online.com/blogs/little-big-scribble | archive-date = 2010-01-28}}</ref> In particular for the action levels, reviewers found that they would be less likely to explore alternate solutions and fall into the pattern of using the same set of objects, making these levels repetitive towards the end.<ref name="g4tv review">{{cite web | url = http://g4tv.com/games/ds/61774/Scribblenauts/review/ | title = Scribblenauts Review | first = Patrick | last = Klepek | date = 2009-09-15 | access-date = 2009-09-16 | publisher = [[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4 TV]] | archive-date = 2013-03-11 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130311044043/http://www.g4tv.com/games/ds/61774/scribblenauts/review/ | url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="mtv review">{{cite web | url = http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2009/09/15/scribblenauts-review/ | title = 'Scribblenauts' Review | first = Russ | last = Frushtick | date = 2009-09-15 | access-date = 2009-09-15 | publisher = MTV | archive-date = 2009-09-23 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090923005441/http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2009/09/15/scribblenauts-review | url-status = dead}}</ref> On the other hand, the puzzle levels were well-received; Andrew Reiner of ''[[Game Informer]]'' wrote that the time spent while solving the puzzle levels was when his "creative juices were joyously sapped".<ref name="gi review"/> The presence of the "Ollars" currency system allows players to skip levels they found difficult.<ref name="ars tech review"/> Kurchera also noted that with some puzzles, the game is often better played with others, including young children, as the combination of imaginative ideas will likely eventually stumble upon a solution.<ref name="ars tech review"/> Simon Parkin of Game Set Watch agreed, believing the game is best enjoyed when one thinks like a child as "free of the dry, efficient logic of adulthood, a child's imagination also opens the game up in ways beyond most adults' reach".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2009/09/there_was_a_young_lady_who_swa.php | title = There Was a Young Lady Who Swallowed a Fly | publisher = [[Game Set Watch]] | first = Simon | last = Parkin | date = 2009-09-30 | access-date = 2009-09-30 | archive-date = 2011-12-17 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111217085332/http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2009/09/there_was_a_young_lady_who_swa.php | url-status = live}}</ref> Seth Schiesel of the ''[[New York Times]]'' considers the ultimate experience of the game a let-down after the E3 hype due to the controls and obfuscation of the puzzles, and though it was not a "great game", he considers the concept a "great idea" that can be built upon for a possible sequel.<ref name="nytimes review"/>

According to the [[NPD Group]], ''Scribblenauts'' sold 194,000 units in the United States during September 2009, following ''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]'' and ''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]'' in top Nintendo DS sales.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/10/20/scribblenauts-sees-solid-september-sales | title = Scribblenauts Sees Solid September Sales | first = Ryan | last = Geddes | website = IGN | date = 2009-10-19 | access-date = 2009-10-19 | archive-date = 2020-07-14 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200714165141/https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/10/20/scribblenauts-sees-solid-september-sales | url-status = live}}</ref> The game also showed strong sales during December 2009, becoming the 16th best selling game of that month in North America.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/npd-wii-ds-titles-command-december-2009-top-20 | title = NPD: Wii, DS Titles Command December 2009 Top 20 | first = Kris | last = Graft | date = 2010-01-15 | access-date = 2010-01-16 | website = [[Gamasutra]] | archive-date = 2019-01-11 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190111120845/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/26832/NPD_Wii_DS_Titles_Command_December_2009_Top_20.php | url-status = live}}</ref> By February 2010, the game had sold more than one million units worldwide.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100203005463/en/Warner-Bros.-Interactive-Entertainment-Announces-Scribblenauts%E2%84%A2-Sells | title = Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Announces Scribblenauts Sells In More Than One Million Units Worldwide | publisher = [[BusinessWire]] | date = 2010-02-03 | access-date = 2015-01-25 | archive-date = 2020-12-12 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201212151705/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100203005463/en/Warner-Bros.-Interactive-Entertainment-Announces-Scribblenauts%E2%84%A2-Sells | url-status = live}}</ref> It was the 5th best-selling Nintendo DS game for 2009 in North America and the 1st best selling [[Third-party developer|3rd party]] game on DS.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/npd-behind-the-numbers-january-2010 | title = NPD: Behind the Numbers, January 2010 | first = Matt | last = Matthews | date = 2010-02-15 | access-date = 2010-02-15 | website = [[Gamasutra]] | archive-date = 2010-02-18 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100218105316/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/4273/npd_behind_the_numbers_january_.php | url-status = live}}</ref>

''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' named ''Scribblenauts'' the 7th best video game of 2009.<ref>{{cite magazine | url = https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1945379_1944169_1944185,00.html | title = The Top 10 Everything of 2009 | first = Lev | last = Grossman | author2 = Ha, Peter | date = 2009-12-08 | access-date = 2009-12-10 | magazine = [[Time (magazine)|Time]] | archive-date = 2020-01-12 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200112083237/http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1945379_1944169_1944185,00.html | url-status = live}}</ref> During the [[13th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]], the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] awarded ''Scribblenauts'' with "Outstanding Innovation in Gaming", "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Mobile Game of the Year|Portable Game of the Year]]", and "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Game Design|Outstanding Achievement in Portable Game Design]]"; it also received a nomination for "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game|Casual Game of the Year]]".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uncharted-2-among-thieves-breaks-away-and-flees-with-10-awards-during-the-13th-annual-interactive-achievement-awards-84757542.html | title = 'Uncharted 2: Among Thieves' Breaks Away and Flees with 10 Awards During the 13th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards | date = 2010-02-18 | access-date = 2010-02-18 | publisher = [[PR Newswire]] | archive-date = 2012-10-08 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121008111006/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uncharted-2-among-thieves-breaks-away-and-flees-with-10-awards-during-the-13th-annual-interactive-achievement-awards-84757542.html | url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.interactive.org/images/press_release/Awards_Finalists_FINAL_2010-01-22.pdf | title = 13th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards Finalists | publisher = [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] | date = 2010-01-21 | access-date = 2010-01-24 | archive-date = 2012-05-10 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120510032016/http://www.interactive.org/images/press_release/Awards_Finalists_FINAL_2010-01-22.pdf | url-status = live}}</ref> The game won "Innovation" and "Best Handheld Game" at the 10th annual [[Game Developers Choice Awards]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://gdc.gamespot.com/story/6253455/uncharted-2-scores-5-at-gdc-awards-full-video-inside | title = Uncharted 2 scores five at GDC Awards, full video inside | publisher = Gamespot | first=Tor | last=Thorsen | date = 2010-03-11 | access-date = 2010-03-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120320234511/http://gdc.gamespot.com/story/6253455/uncharted-2-scores-5-at-gdc-awards-full-video-inside | archive-date=2012-03-20}}</ref>

===Lawsuit===
In May 2013, Charles Schmidt and Christopher Orlando Torres, the creators of the Keyboard Cat and [[Nyan Cat]] characters respectively, jointly sued 5th Cell and Warner Bros. for [[copyright infringement]] and [[trademark infringement]] for the appearances of these characters without permission across ''Scribblenauts'' and its sequels. Schmidt and Torres have both [[registered copyright]]s on their characters and have pending trademark applications on the names.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-05-02-warner-bros-and-5th-cell-hit-by-keyboard-cat-nyan-cat-lawsuit | title = Warner Bros. and 5th Cell targeted by Keyboard Cat, Nyan Cat lawsuit | first = Tom | last = Phillips | date = 2013-05-02 | access-date = 2013-05-02 | website = [[Eurogamer]] | archive-date = 2013-06-25 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130625164012/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-05-02-warner-bros-and-5th-cell-hit-by-keyboard-cat-nyan-cat-lawsuit | url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-22397446 | title = Nyan Cat and Keyboard Cat creators sue Warner Bros | work = BBC News | date = 2013-05-02 | access-date = 2013-05-02 | archive-date = 2013-05-04 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130504004241/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-22397446 | url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/emmawoollacott/2013/05/03/warner-brothers-sued-for-infringing-cat-meme-copyright/ |title=Warner Brothers Sued For Infringing Cat Meme Copyright |magazine=Forbes |first=Emma |last=Woollacott |date=2012-04-18 |access-date=2013-05-03 |archive-date=2019-04-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422040933/https://www.forbes.com/sites/emmawoollacott/2013/05/03/warner-brothers-sued-for-infringing-cat-meme-copyright/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="theverge">{{cite web |author=Adi Robertson |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/5/2/4293484/nyan-cat-keyboard-cat-creators-sue-scribblenauts-over-easter-eggs |title=Nyan Cat and Keyboard Cat creators sue 'Scribblenauts' studio for using their memes |website=The Verge |date=2013-02-12 |access-date=2013-05-03 |archive-date=2013-05-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130505004006/http://www.theverge.com/2013/5/2/4293484/nyan-cat-keyboard-cat-creators-sue-scribblenauts-over-easter-eggs |url-status=live}}</ref> The case was settled out of court, with Warner Bros. officially licensing the two cat characters for use in it.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/09/keyboard-cat-nyan-cat-win-warner-bros-lawsuit.html | title = Keyboard Cat and Nyan Cat Come Out Ahead in Lawsuit Against Warner Bros. | first = Katie | last = Van Syckle | work = [[New York Magazine]] | date = 2013-09-26 | access-date = 2015-01-07 | archive-date = 2013-09-30 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130930195323/http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/09/keyboard-cat-nyan-cat-win-warner-bros-lawsuit.html | url-status = live}}</ref>

==Sequels==
===''Super Scribblenauts''===
A [[Nintendo DS]] sequel to ''Scribblenauts'' titled ''[[Super Scribblenauts]]'' was released on October 12, 2010. In addition to addressing issues with the control scheme, ''Super Scribblenauts'' includes a larger vocabulary including the use of [[adjective]]s to modify nouns, influencing the objects' behavior.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2010/10/super-scribblenauts-fixes-problems-of-original/ | title = Super Scribblenauts fixes problems of original | first = Ben | last = Kuchera | date = 2010-10-12 | access-date = 2010-10-12 | website = [[Ars Technica]] | archive-date = 2012-12-02 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121202220759/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2010/10/super-scribblenauts-fixes-problems-of-original/ | url-status = live}}</ref>

===''Scribblenauts Remix''===
''[[Scribblenauts Remix]]'', a version of ''Scribblenauts'' for the [[iOS]] platform, was released by [[Warner Bros. Interactive]] on October 12, 2011. Ported to the platform by developers [[Iron Galaxy]], the iOS version provides forty levels from both ''Scribblenauts'' and its sequel, along with ten new levels for the iOS game. The mechanics of the game are based on ''Super Scribblenauts'', allowing for the use of adjectives in addition to nouns. The game uses built-in features of iOS, such as the touch keyboard, and was released simultaneously with [[iOS 5]], incorporating new features such as [[cloud storage]] to play the game across multiple devices.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/37836/Scribblenauts_Remix_Released_For_iOS_Devices.php | title = Scribblenauts Remix Released For iOS Devices | first = Mike | last = Rose | date = 2011-10-12 | access-date = 2011-10-12 | website = [[Gamasutra]] | archive-date = 2011-10-13 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111013114616/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/37836/Scribblenauts_Remix_Released_For_iOS_Devices.php | url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://kotaku.com/5848854/ | title = Scribblenauts, the Video Game that Seems Like a Magic Trick, is Pretty Good on iOS | first = Stephen | last = Tolito | date = 2011-10-12 | access-date = 2011-10-12 | publisher = Kotaku | archive-date = 2012-03-24 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120324192700/http://kotaku.com/5848854 | url-status = live}}</ref> An [[Android (operating system)|Android]] version was released on June 26, 2013.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ign.com/games/scribblenauts-remix/android-20001652 | title = Scribblenauts Remix - Android - IGN | access-date = 2015-03-24 | archive-date = 2015-03-11 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150311194546/http://www.ign.com/games/scribblenauts-remix/android-20001652 | url-status = live}}</ref>

===''Scribblenauts Unlimited''===
A fourth title, ''[[Scribblenauts Unlimited]]'', was released for [[Wii U]], [[Personal computer|PC]], and [[Nintendo 3DS]] on November 13, 2012. It features multiple worlds which Maxwell must find out how to help various non-player characters to gain Starites, using the extended vocabulary abilities of ''Super Scribblenauts'' to solve puzzles.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2413369,00.asp | title = Scribblenauts Unlimited (PC) | first = Jeffrey | last = Wilson | date = 2012-12-18 | access-date = 2015-01-07 | work = [[PC Magazine]] | archive-date = 2018-08-16 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180816061703/https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2413369,00.asp | url-status = live}}</ref> iOS and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] versions were both released on December 15, 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wb.goog.scribblenauts3|title=Scribblenauts Unlimited - Android Apps on Google Play|website=play.google.com|access-date=2016-07-08|archive-date=2021-01-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103133449/https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wb.goog.scribblenauts3|url-status=live}}</ref> Ports for [[PlayStation 4]], [[Nintendo Switch]], and [[Xbox One]] were released on September 18, 2018.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.scribblenauts.com/|title=Scribblenauts MegaPack|website=Scribblenauts MegaPack|language=en-US|access-date=2018-08-15|archive-date=2021-01-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123062022/http://www.scribblenauts.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===''Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure''===
A fifth game in the franchise, ''[[Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure]]'', was released for Wii U, PC, and Nintendo 3DS, featuring over 2000 characters from the [[DC Comics]] universe. The game was released on September 24, 2013.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://kotaku.com/this-game-might-include-every-dc-comics-hero-and-villa-506470208 | title = This Game Might Include Every DC Comics Hero (And Villain) Ever | publisher = Kotaku | first = Stephan | last = Tolito | date = 2013-05-15 | access-date = 2015-01-07 | archive-date = 2015-01-07 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150107231319/http://kotaku.com/this-game-might-include-every-dc-comics-hero-and-villa-506470208 | url-status = live}}</ref> Like ''Unlimited'', ''Unmasked'' has ports for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One, which were released on September 18, 2018. In this case, the two of them are packaged together.<ref name=":0" />

===''Scribblenauts: Fighting Words''===
A sixth game in the series, titled ''Scribblenauts: Fighting Words'' was in development for iOS since 2014, but was cancelled in 2016 after 5th Cell laid off 45 employees, including lead animator Tim Borrelli.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/3/21/11279936/developer-5th-cell-lays-off-staff-as-scribblenauts-fighting-words|title=5th Cell lays off staff as Scribblenauts: Fighting Words canned (update)|last=Campbell|first=Colin|date=March 21, 2016|website=Polygon|language=en-US|access-date=July 7, 2016|archive-date=March 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323134739/http://www.polygon.com/2016/3/21/11279936/developer-5th-cell-lays-off-staff-as-scribblenauts-fighting-words|url-status=live}}</ref>

===''Scribblenauts Showdown''===
''[[Scribblenauts Showdown]]'' is a [[party game]] for up to four players, using mini-games based on the ''Scribblenauts'' formula. The game was developed by [[Shiver Entertainment]], published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, and released on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on March 6, 2018,<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-scribblenauts-for-ps4-xbox-one-switch-announce/1100-6456127/ | title = New Scribblenauts For PS4, Xbox One, Switch Announced; Release Date Confirmed | first = Oscar | last = Dayus | date = January 16, 2018 | access-date = January 16, 2018 | work = [[GameSpot]] | archive-date = January 16, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180116163714/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-scribblenauts-for-ps4-xbox-one-switch-announce/1100-6456127/ | url-status = live}}</ref> which marks the first game in the series released on [[Sony]] and [[Microsoft]] consoles.

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.scribblenauts.com/scribblenauts/unmasked}}
* [http://5thcell.com/ 5th Cell's website]

{{good article}}
{{Scribblenauts}}
{{5TH Cell}}
{{Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment}}

[[Category:2009 video games]]
[[Category:5th Cell games]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. Games franchises]]
[[Category:Action-adventure games]]
[[Category:Nintendo DS games]]
[[Category:Nintendo DS-only games]]
[[Category:Puzzle video games]]
[[Category:Scribblenauts| ]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. video games]]
[[Category:Video games with user-generated gameplay content]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]