Category: DS

If the DS is trying to be a handheld gaming system that bridges the market between hardcore and casual gamers, New Super Mario Bros. is the game is a game that not only old and new Mario fans will enjoy but also hardcore and casual gamers. There’s just something about this game that screams play me! Whether its the cutesy graphics or the extremely well-rounded gameplay, this is a game that competes for best Mario game ever.

While Super Mario 64 brought Mario into the realm of 3D, New Super Mario Bros. takes the series back down a notch into 2D gameplay mixed with 3D sprites. The world of Mario has never looked so good! From its vibrant colors to its well-animated characters, this Mario game stands out above all DS games.

As one of the main features of the DS is the touch screen, New Super Mario Bros. does use it to a good extent. While for the most part the game uses the touch screen as a score counter, there are tons of side mini-games that use the touch screen. A good amount of these mini-games were featured in Super Mario 64 DS, but now feature some distinct upgrade such as improved graphics.

The sound in this game is superb. This is one of the few handheld games where you want to blast the music so that everyone around you wants to see what you’re playing!

New Super Mario Bros. takes its roots mostly from the NES and SNES versions of Mario. If there is one Mario game that you have to play on the DS it’s New Super Mario Bros. There’s just no competition to it. It takes old-school gameplay and revamps so that the game does not feel like a rehash.

Alternate Synopsis: A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away… apparently the Danish invaded and took the galaxy, sending it to Earth, slaughtering the residents and selling them as children’s building materials… And that’s where Legos come from.

Who hasn’t dreamed about playing a Star Wars game as a character using Princess Leia’s hair, Lando Calrissian’s head, C-3PO’s torso, and Han Solo’s pants? You know, Princess Lando Solo3PO? Actually, make that Darth Princess Lando Solo3PO. You can use Darth Vader’s cape, too. Well, quit dreaming, you dreamers, for Lucasarts brings you Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy for the DS.

They gameplay hasn’t changed much since the original Lego Star Wars, which revolved around the prequel trilogy. Still a third person shooter. Although, honestly, controls seems just a little bit rough, although I’m not sure if that’s the result of the game just being on the DS, which has no analog stick. But it’s pretty good most of the time. Camera is controlled by the stylus, if you really want, but it’s rarely a problem. Combat on the other hand… shots don’t register sometimes. You attack/fire your weapon just fine, but the impact just doesn’t seem to affect the enemy as you know it should. It’s not really a problem, just a minor annoyance. It doesn’t hold the game back.

Graphics wise, the game looks basically the same as if it were on a home console. Sure, it’s not as polished as the XBox/Gamecube/PS2 version, but please. These are Legos. You don’t really need graphical power of your 360 to enjoy this game. Details show up just fine on the DS screen.

The game sounds just fine on my handheld. The typical Star Wars-ian, John Williams-esque soundtrack that we all expect, especially since this game is based on three movies that are actually scored. All the musical cues that we know and love are in there.

This game is surprisingly fun, even though it’s not perfect, you’ll easily be able to overlook it once you get into it. This game? It gets a +.