E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial : Interplanetary Mission

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial: Interplanetary Mission for PlayStation is a single-player 3D action-platform game based on Steven Spielberg's 1982 film. Developed by Santa Cruz Games, it arrived in North America late in 2001 through NewKidCo, while Ubisoft handled European publishing. European releases used the E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial: The 20th Anniversary name, tying the game to the film's approaching twentieth anniversary rather than presenting it as a remake of the earlier Atari 2600 title.

The story begins after E.T. has left Earth at the end of the film. Trouble soon puts the universe at risk, and the gentle alien sets out to find rare plants whose recovery can help his people. His journey takes him through five themed worlds: the Green Planet, an ice world, a desert world, Planet Metropolis, and Earth. Each destination is divided into stages and asks the player to locate its required plants before E.T. can move on.

From an isometric viewpoint, the PlayStation game combines exploration, simple platforming, and light puzzle solving. E.T. walks and runs through enclosed areas, looks for routes through the scenery, and uses keys and switches to open access to otherwise blocked sections. Finding the plants is the central objective, but the path to them can include hazards, enemies, and environmental obstacles. Progress is organized around clearing a level and reaching its exit, giving the adventure a straightforward mission-by-mission structure.

E.T.'s abilities distinguish Interplanetary Mission from a conventional character platformer. His glowing finger can heal flowers, while a heart-based stun attack can briefly stop hostile creatures or pursuing agents. Telekinesis lets him pull objects closer and can also be used against foes. These powers give the player alternatives to simply running past danger, although E.T. is not built for direct combat. Taking too much damage costs a life, and the game supports saving progress to a PlayStation memory card.

The game was one of several licensed E.T. projects released around the film's anniversary, but this entry continues the story beyond the familiar Earthbound events instead of replaying the movie scene by scene. Its five-planet premise, plant-collection goals, and compact PlayStation stages make it a self-contained adventure aimed at younger players and fans of the character. It also stands as a late PlayStation adaptation of a famous film property, released during a period when NewKidCo and Ubisoft were bringing a range of children's licenses to console audiences.