What's all this? TWO Days of Ruin reviews, both out on the same day as TaNNW? Coincidence? I think not. Conspiracy? Most definitely. In any case, seeing both reviews put a damper on my urge to review the game in all of its post-apocalyptic glory.
Here's what else is happening this week, though, in the world of Nintendo DS. Surprise!
Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Review by Shadow_Link_92 (Nick)
Published By: Sega
Developed By: Sega
Genre: Sport
Players: 1-4, single-and multi-cartridge
ESRB: E
NA Release Date: January 22, 2008
Wow, Mario and Sonic, both worlds colliding at possibly the biggest sporting event ever to hit Beijing? This seems perfect! Oh wait, never mind, Sega is making it. Without Nintendo.
A few months back, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games was released for the Wii, and for an unknown reason, not for the ultra-popular Nintendo handheld. Ultimately, the almighty Wii version was an above average Mario/Sonic/Olympic themed Track & Field remix. The game wasn't nearly at the top of any given Christmas list, maybe perhaps for some old-school gamers. It controlled like a quirky mini-game compilation. Has the Nintendo DS, and its delayed release, changed anything?
At first, you'll want to jump into the games, but there is something stopping that. The menu, albeit polished, is difficult to navigate. You'll have to spend about 10 minutes exploring the various options and game modes to find exactly where everything is. The good news is, if you can find them, there are a truckload of characters to choose from and tons of extras. Once you get into the game itself, you have to read a little on-screen instruction manual to know what you're going to do. Does it sound like a mini-game collection yet?
As far as gameplay goes, the DS rendition of Mario and Sonic offers something unique from its Wii counterpart, although the actions are a little repetitive. Honestly, the Wii version's waggling is deeper than the DS' scratch fest. Most all of the events include rubbing the stylus back and forth (where have we seen this before?) or in certain directions. There are some healthy variations, though. Cycling actually involves face buttons, as does table tennis, to offer up something that won't destroy your beloved DS. AI can be an issue for fans looking for a challenge- computer characters will act awfully lenient at most times, and can be rubberband also. I suggest multiplayer for a fuller experience.
I love the sound of screaming touchscreens in the morning.
Graphically, the handheld delivers Mario and Sonic almost perfectly. The game doesn't run at a terribly fast rate, so frame rate isn't an enormous problem. The background music isn't extraordinary, but fits the characters and the setting. There is some limited voicing from the announcer and each of the characters, but again, nothing extraordinary.
When it comes to bang for your buck, this game comes in just below such monsters as Animal Crossing: Wild World and Advance Wars: Dual Strike. There are plenty of different challenges, single cartridge multiplayer, some online functionality, characters from both Mario and Sonic worlds to try, and a big helping of events, even if they are shallow. So if you are the old-school fan, give Mario and Sonic a go and see how it feels. You might regret it, but you might be pleasantly surprised.
Presentation: 7.5
I can't find where to go! Oh, there it is. Some menu confusion, but plenty of options to make up for it.
Graphics: 9.0
Sega delivered a great-looking experience, and tried to stay on par with Nintendo's own Mario sports games.
Gameplay: 6.5
A lot of scratching, rubbing and flicking. The dreaded rubberband AI.
Sound: 8.0
Above-average music that just shouts Mario and Sonic, and some voicing.
Lasting Appeal: 9.0
Tons of events, characters, and challenges. Multiplayer only adds to the hours you'll spend playing this game.
Final Score: 7.5
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Super Smash Bros. Brawl Preview by Travis M. Part 2: Assist Trophies
In this part of the preview of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, I will be going over the new Items called Assist Trophies that have been announced for Brawl! These Assist Trophies appear as capsules that you must pick up to activate. When activated, a random character or characters will appear and use an attack or do their special. Here are the ones we know so far!
Samurai Goroh
When released, Samurai Goroh appears from the F-Zero series appears and attacks your opponents with his sword. He will slash away and do some nice damage in the process.
Dr. Wright
Appearing from the Super Nintendo version of SimCity, Dr. Wright will summon huge skyscrapers from the ground which will send you sky high if you get hit, so try and stay in the air when this guy makes an appearance!
Knuckle Joe
Knuckle Joe packs a huge punch when he rises from the Assist Trophy. He will use his technique called the
