By now you probably know the rap on licensed video games -- generally speaking, they're not very good. But every so often, a title rises above the mediocrity that plagues the genre.

"Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" is one of these games.

Based on the upcoming Ben Stiller film of the same name, "Night at the Museum" is a thoroughly enjoyable action-adventure game that's biggest fault is being too short. The game can be completed in under five hours, but there's plenty of fun to be had before the final credits roll.

In "Night at the Museum," you assume the role of museum guard Larry Daley, Stiller's character from the movies. After his pals from New York's Natural History Museum are transferred to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., Larry receives a call from miniature cowboy buddy Jedidiah.

It turns out there's evil afoot in the museum in the person of Kahmunrah, an Egyptian ruler with designs on taking over the world with the help of a magic tablet that somehow found its way to the Smithsonian along with the New York exhibits. Kahmunrah has enlisted the help of some of history's greatest bad guys like Ivan the Terrible, Napoleon and Al Capone to aid him in his quest. And it's up to Larry to save the day and rescue his friends.

I was surprised just how much fun I had during my time with "Night at the Museum." The gameplay, a mix of platforming and puzzle solving, was rock solid throughout. Using his flashlight and keyring, Larry can fix broken items, control animals, interact with paintings and more. That variety helps keep things fresh and prevents the game from becoming repetitive.

In addition, you can find a ton of hidden items scattered throughout the different parts of the museum and listen to a number of audio clips containing interesting tidbits about museum exhibits. Collecting these unlocks special features and Achievements (I grabbed the full 1,000 points on a single time through the game).

The only real problem I encountered was the occassional camera hiccup, which led to a couple of cheap deaths, especially in the Air and Space Museum. These were rare and didn't sour the overall experience.

By now you probably know the rap on licensed video games -- generally speaking, they're not very good. But every so often, a title rises above the mediocrity that plagues the genre.

"Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" is one of these games.

Based on the upcoming Ben Stiller film of the same name, "Night at the Museum" is a thoroughly enjoyable action-adventure game that's biggest fault is being too short. The game can be completed in under five hours, but there's plenty of fun to be had before the final credits roll.

In "Night at the Museum," you assume the role of museum guard Larry Daley, Stiller's character from the movies. After his pals from New York's Natural History Museum are transferred to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., Larry receives a call from miniature cowboy buddy Jedidiah.

It turns out there's evil afoot in the museum in the person of Kahmunrah, an Egyptian ruler with designs on taking over the world with the help of a magic tablet that somehow found its way to the Smithsonian along with the New York exhibits. Kahmunrah has enlisted the help of some of history's greatest bad guys like Ivan the Terrible, Napoleon and Al Capone to aid him in his quest. And it's up to Larry to save the day and rescue his friends.

I was surprised just how much fun I had during my time with "Night at the Museum." The gameplay, a mix of platforming and puzzle solving, was rock solid throughout. Using his flashlight and keyring, Larry can fix broken items, control animals, interact with paintings and more. That variety helps keep things fresh and prevents the game from becoming repetitive.

In addition, you can find a ton of hidden items scattered throughout the different parts of the museum and listen to a number of audio clips containing interesting tidbits about museum exhibits. Collecting these unlocks special features and Achievements (I grabbed the full 1,000 points on a single time through the game).

The only real problem I encountered was the occassional camera hiccup, which led to a couple of cheap deaths, especially in the Air and Space Museum. These were rare and didn't sour the overall experience.

Stiller, who provided his likeness and voice to the game's protagonist, steals the show as Larry. His unique brand of humor shines through during the cutscenes and kept me smiling throughout. Unfortunately, he is the only star to appear in the game. Still, it was refreshing to see an actor deliver such a top-notch performance in a video game.

"Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" is good. Not good-for-a-licensed-game good, but really good. Which makes the fact that it's over in about the time it takes to watch both "Night at the Museum" movies all the more disappointing.

"Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian"

Developer: Pipeworks Software

Publisher: Majesco

Available for: Xbox 360, Wii ($39.99)

Rating: E-10 for everyone 10-and-up

Score: 7.5/10