Honestly, licensed games usually suck. We all know the drill: a big movie comes out, a studio rushes a tie-in to store shelves, and parents end up buying a buggy, hollow mess for their kids. But The Peanuts Movie Snoopy's Grand Adventure PS4 is a weird outlier. Released back in 2015 alongside the Blue Sky Studios film, it didn't try to reinvent the wheel or compete with Knack or Ratchet & Clank. Instead, it just tried to be a competent, charming platformer. It mostly succeeded.
If you’ve ever sat through a Saturday morning marathon of Charlie Brown specials, you’ll feel right at home here. The game starts with a simple premise. Charlie Brown and the gang are playing hide-and-seek. Snoopy, being Snoopy, goes on an imaginative tear through various worlds to find them. It’s thin. It’s basic. But for a game aimed at younger players, it works.
Why The Peanuts Movie Snoopy's Grand Adventure PS4 stands out now
Most people ignored this title when it launched. It was a budget-priced release, and the PS4 era was busy with massive open-world epics. However, looking back in 2026, there’s a distinct lack of "starter" games for kids that aren't predatory mobile ports or LEGO titles. This game fills that gap.
The developer, Behaviour Interactive—the same folks who, hilariously, went on to make the ultra-violent Dead by Daylight—clearly had a soft spot for Charles Schulz's aesthetic. The character models look like they walked right out of the 3D film. Snoopy’s fur has a slight fuzz to it. Woodstock looks like a tiny, vibrating yellow puffball. It’s visually cohesive in a way that many licensed games from that era weren't.
One thing that’s genuinely cool is how it handles the different costumes. As you progress through levels like the jungle, the moon, or the sewers (wait, sewers in a Peanuts game?), Snoopy unlocks outfits. You get the Flying Ace, obviously. You get the Masked Marvel. Each one has a specific mechanic. The Flying Ace can hover. The Scout Leader can climb. It’s "Metroidvania-lite" for the six-year-old set. It encourages replaying levels because you’ll see a collectible behind a wall that you can’t reach until you get the Joe Cool outfit later on.
The Woodstock factor in co-op
If you have a younger sibling or a child, the co-op is the secret sauce. Player two controls Woodstock.
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Woodstock can't die. He just floats around, stuns enemies, and activates switches. It’s very similar to the "Little Brother" mode in Super Mario Galaxy. It allows a more experienced player to guide a novice through the platforming challenges without the frustration of constant "Game Over" screens.
Does it hold up technically?
The game runs at a smooth 60 frames per second on the PS4. On a PS5 via backwards compatibility, it’s rock solid. The environments are colorful, though a bit repetitive. You’ll spend a lot of time jumping on the heads of sentient clocks and weirdly aggressive plants.
The sound design is a mixed bag. You get the classic Vince Guaraldi-inspired jazz riffs, which are essential. Without that piano, it wouldn't be Peanuts. But the voice acting is sparse. You get the "wa-wa-wa" adult voices and some clips from the kids, but don't expect a deep cinematic narrative. It’s a platformer first.
The mechanical depth most reviews missed
When The Peanuts Movie Snoopy's Grand Adventure PS4 was reviewed by major outlets at launch, many dismissed it as "too easy."
That’s a bit of a lazy take.
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While the main path to the end of a level is simple, getting 100% completion is actually somewhat tricky. Each level contains hidden Beagle Scouts and jelly beans. The jelly beans act as the primary currency, but the Scouts are the real challenge. Some are tucked away in screen-depth layers that require careful observation.
The physics feel "floaty." If you’re used to the precision of Super Mario Odyssey, Snoopy might feel like he’s walking on ice. He has a momentum-based slide that can be frustrating during the boss fights—which, by the way, are surprisingly creative. Each boss is themed after a Peanuts character’s personality or a specific movie scene. They aren't Dark Souls hard, but they require timing.
Comparing PS4 to other versions
It’s worth noting that while this game came out on Wii U, Xbox One, and 3DS, the PS4 version is generally considered the "cleanest." The 3DS version is a completely different game—a 2D side-scroller that loses a lot of the charm. The Xbox One and PS4 versions are nearly identical, but the PS4’s controller touch-pad is occasionally used for minor interactions, though it feels like an afterthought.
Misconceptions about the game's length
You’ll hear people say this is a two-hour game.
Only if you sprint.
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If you actually try to find all the hidden costumes and rescue every Beagle Scout, you’re looking at more like six to eight hours. For a licensed title, that’s a decent chunk of time. It’s also a "Platinum-friendly" game. If you’re a trophy hunter, this is one of those titles you can 100% in a weekend without wanting to pull your hair out. It’s a chill experience.
Why collectors are hunting it down
Lately, physical copies of The Peanuts Movie Snoopy's Grand Adventure PS4 have been creeping up in price on the secondary market. Why? Digital licensing.
Licensed games have a nasty habit of being delisted from the PlayStation Store once the contract between the publisher (Activision) and the IP holder (Peanuts Worldwide) expires. Once it's gone from the digital storefront, the physical disc is the only way to play it. We’ve seen this happen with the Transformers games and Marvel Ultimate Alliance. If you see this in a bargain bin at a local game shop, it’s actually a smart pickup.
Specific gameplay tips for new players
- Don't ignore the bubbles. Snoopy can float by spinning his ears (classic). Many players forget they can extend their jump distance by holding the jump button at the peak.
- Switch costumes often. The "Beagle Scout" outfit is actually one of the most useful for finding hidden paths because it allows Woodstock to track items more effectively.
- Check the background. The game uses a 2.5D perspective. Often, a collectible isn't "up" or "down" but "behind" a piece of scenery you can walk around.
- Master the slide. Snoopy’s belly slide isn't just for show; it gives you a tiny burst of speed that’s necessary for clearing some of the later moon-base jumps.
Is it worth it in 2026?
If you’re a hardcore gamer looking for a challenge, no. You’ll be bored to tears. But if you want something cozy, or if you have a kid who just discovered A Charlie Brown Christmas on Apple TV+, it’s perfect. It captures the "gentle" vibe of the comics. There’s no violence, no stress, just a dog and his bird friend jumping through a dreamscape.
The Peanuts Movie Snoopy's Grand Adventure PS4 isn't a masterpiece of the genre. It's not Celeste. But it is a faithful, well-constructed piece of fan service that treats the source material with respect. In a world of gritty reboots and live-service nightmares, there's something nice about a game where the biggest stakes are finding your friends for a game of hide-and-seek.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check Availability: Look for a physical copy on eBay or local used game stores. Digital copies are increasingly rare or already delisted in certain regions.
- Verify Firmware: Ensure your PS4 or PS5 is updated to the latest firmware to avoid minor texture flickering issues reported in older builds of the game.
- Play Co-op: If you’re playing with a child, take the Woodstock role yourself. It allows you to point out secrets without taking the controller away from them.
- Completionist Run: Aim for the Platinum trophy. It’s a great way to see every detail the developers tucked into the environments, especially the references to the 1960s comic strips.