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NDS/GBA Game Reviews
dipper5:
NDS Game Reviews
by: Dipper5Rating System
Graphics: #/5
Sound: #/2
Gameplay: #/10
Presentation: #/5
Lasting Appeal: #/5
Motion Support: #/1.5
Original Entry: #/1.5
Overall: #/30
Top 10 DS Games
1. StillAliveDS 29/30
2. Video Game Hero 27/30
3. Marble 25/30
4. Crocodingus in Cube Island 22.5/30
5. Inside the Machine 20.5/30
6. Element 20.5/30
7. Legion 20/30
8. DronS 19.5/30
9. XumpDS 19.5/30
10. Game Trivia Catechism 19.5/30
RapidRollDS
In this game one controls a ball while trying to avoid the spikes on the top of the screen, as well as any spiked platforms that comes up. The difficulty increases as time continues.
This game did have some good things, and some problems. It increased the replayability of the game greatly by including a wifi highscore board. There are some problems where the ball would be on the edge of the platform looking like it was floating, but wouldn't fall off. The inclusion of music tracks to listen to was a good addition. The graphics were very basic in this game.
Graphics: 2/5
Sound: 2/2
Gameplay: 4/10
Presentation: 3/5
Lasting Appeal: 4/5
Motion Support: 0/1.5
Original Entry: 1.5/1.5
Overall: 16.5/30
Crocodingus in Cube Island
Crocodingus in Cube Island is a platforming/puzzle game for the Nintendo DS. It includes 10 levels with differents features. You play as the crocodile called Crocodingus in a cubic environement. You progress through the levels by collecting bananas.
This game was very charming. I really enjoyed the artstyle of the game. The main character Crocodingus was just so cute and enjoyable. The levels of the game were well done, and enjoyable. The replayability is increased because there are stars to collect that unlock bonus levels. I would have liked something that showed which levels I was missing stars in. The game is just so charming and fun that when your done, you just want to play it over again.
Graphics: 5/5
Sound: 1/2
Gameplay: 8/10
Presentation: 4/5
Lasting Appeal: 3/5
Motion Support: 0/1.5
Original Entry: 1.5/1.5
Overall: 22.5/30
Inside the Machine
Inside the Machine is a platforming game for the DS. You control a half cat/bunny type creature that gets swallowed by an enemy and you have to escape his body. You defeat enemies by shooting fireballs or using your scratch attack.
Inside the Machine is an enjoyable platforming game. The bosses were unique and fun. The premise of the game was interesting, you get swallowed by the first boss you fight and have to escape his body. The graphics were very enjoyable, and the gameplay was fun and exciting. The only problem with the game was that it was so short and easy to finish.
Graphics: 4/5
Sound: 2/2
Gameplay: 7/10
Presentation: 3/5
Lasting Appeal: 3/5
Motion Support: 0/1.5
Original Entry: 1.5/1.5
Overall: 20.5/30
DSCube
In this game one tries to solve a Rubiks cube of varying difficulty. There is pocket, normal, and revenge size. The pocket size is a 2x2x2 cube, the others increase these dimensions by 1 each difficulty.
This game is fairly simple. Everyone knows what a rubiks cube is, and what your supposed to do with it. There are problems with this game, the controls can be difficult, where you make the wrong move accidentally. Also, when you change difficulty it doesn't automatically change the cube from default, you have to start a new game for that. However, being able to play with a rubiks cube, even if it is difficult to solve, is enjoyable.
Graphics: 3/5
Sound: 1/2
Gameplay: 6/10
Presentation: 3/5
Lasting Appeal: 3/5
Motion Support: 0/1.5
Original Entry: 1.5/1.5
Overall: 17.5/30
Totitoes
In this game you use your stylus to move around an object on the bottom screen and collect coins. At the same time, you are trying to avoid something on the top screen.
This game was pretty basic. The gameplay was alright, but didn't really do anything spectacular. There just wasn't much fun to be had, nor did it last very long. I was unable to test the wifi multiplayer game because I could not find any opponents.
Graphics: 2/5
Sound: 1/2
Gameplay: 4/10
Presentation: 2/5
Lasting Appeal: 2/5
Motion Support: 1.5/1.5
Original Entry: 1.5/1.5
Overall: 14/30
NightFox's Colours.
This is a puzzle game. In which you have to join 3 or more pieces of same color vertically, horitzontally, or diagonally. Make combos to get a higher score deleting as many pieces you can in a single move. At higher levels you get a higher score per combo. The difficulty increases through the levels, and eventually gets very difficult.
The game worked well. The graphics were well done. The menus were easy to use and very functional. I did have some problems with the controls. Using the d-pad worked well, and the shoulder buttons were useful when the speed picked up and the difficulty increased. Although at that point, I had usually lost, it took me a lot of more tries to see the usefulness of the shoulder buttons. The gameplay was fun, although there are several other games that do pretty much the same thing. This game worked well, and I enjoyed it.
Graphics: 3/5
Sound: 2/2
Gameplay: 6/10
Presentation: 4/5
Lasting Appeal: 2/5
Motion Support: 0/1.5
Original Entry: 1.5/1.5
Overall: 18.5/30
DronS
DronS is a game like snake, but with multiple players. You move around and make a line behind you while avoiding driving into other peoples lines.
This game is pretty good. It does what it is supposed to do. However, it definately has some major problems. I liked that there were settings you could change, that adjusted the speed and health so you could adjust the game to fit how you like it. You can change the amount of computer players, the size of the stage, the speed, pretty much everything. The graphics, I enjoyed, as it really represented the style of the game. The camera angles also kind of bugged me, as it didn't show enough of what I wanted to see. This is probably just because the stage is so big it would be difficult to get everything in view.
Graphics: 3/5
Sound: 0/2
Gameplay: 8/10
Presentation: 3/5
Lasting Appeal: 4/5
Motion Support: 0/1.5
Original Entry: 1.5/1.5
Overall: 19.5/30
XumpDS
Xump Port to Nintendo DS. You complete a level by moving the ball onto each blue block to remove them all. Some blocks require 2 steps on them. Others only allow you to move in a certain directions. Still others teleport you to different locations.
These puzzle type games are always very interesting for me. I really enjoy the amount of levels and playability they present. Even though they eventually get very difficult. This game has a level select screen, which is always important in these types of games. It includes a lot of levels, which increase in difficulty. I enountered no bugs, and everything worked exactly as I expected it to. It will be on my DS for a long time, as it will take me a long time to beat all the levels.
Graphics: 3/5
Sound: 1/2
Gameplay: 7/10
Presentation: 3/5
Lasting Appeal: 4/5
Motion Support: 0/1.5
Original Entry: 1.5/1.5
Overall: 19.5/30
Maouss
Maouss is a puzzle game where you control a ship and a block that you move around and try and destroy all the stars in each level. It is very simple, yet can be very difficult.
This game is a cool puzzle game. I've played games similar to it, and this does everything just as well as all the other ones. You can control with either the stylus or the buttons. The graphics are alright, but there is definately room for improvement. The gameplay is great, and I like that there are a bunch of levels to do. I love puzzle games that include a bunch of levels for me to beat, as it really increase the amount of time I'll be playing the game.
Graphics: 2/5
Sound: 2/2
Gameplay: 7/10
Presentation: 3/5
Lasting Appeal: 3/5
Motion Support: 0/1.5
Original Entry: 1.5/1.5
Overall: 18.5/30
Element DS
In Element DS the objective in game is to remove all the blocks by dragging them toward the blocks of the equal symbol/color. Two blocks of different color will reverse/swap their colors once they collide. The Blocks won't stop until they either hit another block or the walls, meaning that they travel either horizontally or vertically unless they meet the obstacle in their path.
This game does what a puzzle game should do. It includes lots of levels, that increase in difficulty over time. Although even at the beginning the game is pretty difficult. I like that the game inlcudes a minimum amount of moves needed for each level, and your record, so even after you beat all the levels you can still go back and beat your record. One thing this game needs is a level select chart, so you can choose the level instead of having to go through each one to find the one you want.
Graphics: 4/5
Sound: 2/2
Gameplay: 6/10
Presentation: 3/5
Lasting Appeal: 4/5
Motion Support: 0/1.5
Original Entry: 1.5/1.5
Overall: 20.5/30
Geograpfika
Geograpfika is a geography based quiz game for the DS. There are a couple modes to play from; quiz mode, and adventure mode.
The game does what it is supposed to do. It is fairly basic and quizes you about geography. There isn't much else to this game. The inclusion of the library is interesting as you get to view some interesting locations. There isn't much to this game. If you like geography, you'll probably like this game.
Graphics: 2/5
Sound: 0/2
Gameplay: 6/10
Presentation: 3/5
Lasting Appeal: 2.5/5
Motion Support: 0/1.5
Original Entry: 1.5/1.5
Overall: 15/30
***y Blackjack Trainer
***y Blackjack Trainer is a blackjack game that teaches you basic techniques and basic card counting. It is a good tool to learn how to play blackjack skillfully. You also get to unlock some porn.
This game is a good tool to use if you are trying to learn some basic blackjack techniques. There is also some motivation to play the game in the form of unlocking pornographic images. I encountered to errors in the game, unless you count me being extremely unlucky!
Graphics: 3/5
Sound: 2/2
Gameplay: 6/10
Presentation: 4/5
Lasting Appeal: 3/5
Motion Support: 0/1.5
Original Entry: 1.5/1.5
Overall: 19.5/30
ManyChessDS
ManyChessDS is a DS game that contains many variations of chess. You are able to play agains the computer, or 2 people on the same DS, or over wifi.
Although ManyChessDS contains many different variants of chess, it doesn't even get the normal chess done properly. It doesn't follow the basic rules of the game ending when your king is captured. It allows you to move your king into check, and leave him in checkmate. I was a little weary in trying out the other versions of chess that I hadn't played before because I thought the rules would be wrong there too. It also was impossible to exit a game sometimes, and you were forced to shut off your ds. This game was very lacking.
Graphics: 2/5
Sound: 0/2
Gameplay: 3/10
Presentation: 2/5
Lasting Appeal: 2/5
Motion Support: 0/1.5
Original Entry: 1.5/1.5
Overall: 10.5/30
Crack Attack
Crack Attack is a puzzle game where you line up colours and they dissapear and you get points. An interesting layer is added on when lines appear and drop down occasionally adding on. You move the blocks horizontall to line up the colours.
Crack Attack is a decent puzzle game. It does what it is supposed to do. You line up the colours, and you get points. However I enountered some glitches where images would get cut off, or my game would suddenly crash. I enjoyed the game for some time, but found that I didnt like that you could only move the blocks horizontally.
Graphics: 3/5
Sound: 1/2
Gameplay: 7/10
Presentation: 3/5
Lasting Appeal: 3/5
Motion Support: 0/1.5
Original Entry: 1.5/1.5
Overall: 18.5/30
Game Trivia Catechism -The Secret of Mister X-
Game Trivia Catechism -The Secret of Mister X- is a multiple-choice trivia game, testing your knowledge of video gaming. It can be played as straight trivia, or as part of a story that follows Mister X's journey through the King of Game Trivia Tournament. Two new game modes allows players to tackle challenging missions, or try practice mode and perhaps learn something!
I really enjoyed this trivia game. Especially since it is about video games. I know a lot about it, and enjoyed playing it. The story mode was great, it was interesting and fun to play. It worked very well, and was well presented. The art was also very interesting. There was a bug where if you simultaneously pressed all the buttons it would register them all.
Graphics: 4/5
Sound: 1/2
Gameplay: 6/10
Presentation: 4/5
Lasting Appeal: 3/5
Motion Support: 0/1.5
Original Entry: 1.5/1.5
Overall: 19.5/30
Marble
Marble is a remake of a classic wood labyrinth game. You move a marble past obstacles to the finish. It contains full 3d graphics, and even a complete level editor.
This game is just amazing. Aside from a few graphical glitches, there is nothing bad about it. Even though the game is a demo, and unfinished to me, it is basically just as good as a complete game. I really enjoy the fact that there is a fully functioning level editor. The only thing that would make this game better is if there were a way to share the levels you made through wifi. There are a bunch of levels included that get progressively more difficult. This game is just great.
Graphics: 4/5
Sound: 2/2
Gameplay: 8/10
Presentation: 4/5
Lasting Appeal: 4/5
Motion Support: 1.5/1.5
Original Entry: 1.5/1.5
Overall: 25/30
StillAliveDS
StillAliveDS is a 2D portable remake of the game Portal for PC. It is similar to the flash game. The game features a story mode, custom campaigns, highscore board, skins, map editor and sharing through wifi.
StillAliveDS is easily my favourite homebrew game, and almost my favourite DS game. It just does everything so well. It is a great remake of the portal game for handhelds. My favourite part of the game is easily the map editor and map sharing aspect. You are able to create your own levels and share them with the community. The recently added feature of custom campaigns make the game even better, as you can now design a set of levels that are meant to be played in order. I just can't find anything wrong with this game. Everything works exceptionally well.
Graphics: 4.5/5
Sound: 2/2
Gameplay: 9.5/10
Presentation: 5/5
Lasting Appeal: 5/5
Motion Support: 1.5/1.5
Original Entry: 1.5/1.5
Overall: 29/30
Legion
Legion is a top-view 3D shooter which was designed to take full advantage of the DS's unique features. It has a full single player campaign, with a very detailed backstory as well as an online multiplayer mode which can be played with up to three other players.
Legion online is a very well done game. The graphics are great, and the gameplay is fun. There are still issues with the game, the main one being the camera angle, you can't see where the enemies are and they are almost always shooting at you from offscreen. This forces you to use the radar to guess where the enemies are and shoot at them. I was unable to play the multiplayer because I couldn't find a game.
Graphics: 4/5
Sound: 2/2
Gameplay: 7/10
Presentation: 4/5
Lasting Appeal: 3/5
Motion Support: 0/1.5
Original Entry: 0/1.5
Overall: 20/30
Video Games Hero
Video Games Hero is a guitar hero clone. You press buttons on the ds in accordance to what is happening on screen. You rack up points and combos, and try to beat high scores.
Video Games Hero is a great guitar hero style game. It does everything very well. It is great that the majority of the music is from video games. It is dissapointing when suddenly you are playing normal music. The registration of button presses is great, and everything works wonderfully. The video game music chosen is great, and its very enjoyable playing guitar hero to your favourite old songs from video games. It includes a wifi based highscore table for each game, which increases the replayability a lot, not that it needs it. The game is fun enough for you to want to replay it over and over again.
Graphics: 4/5
Sound: 2/2
Gameplay: 9/10
Presentation: 4/5
Lasting Appeal: 5/5
Motion Support: 1.5/1.5
Original Entry: 1.5/1.5
Overall: 27/30
Games I was Unable to Test
Unfortunately, I was unable to test some games. This is because some games just refused to load at all for me. These will be listed here.
-Dev-Fr Sliding Community
-MastermindDS
-Feed Tux
-Legend of Beneshov DEMO
-Escape
GuSec:
Good review dipper5!
But why didn't you include the screenshots?
It get's a little more easy to get in to then. :D
I see you couldn't try my MastermindDS, that's sad. :(
What flash cart are you using?
leinad:
@Drons
--- Quote ---However, it definately has some major problems. The biggest problem is that you can acually drive into other peoples lines
--- End quote ---
Thats actualy the sense of the Rubber [which can be turned off in the config menu] , its smth like a health-point amount.
--- Quote ---The camera angles also kind of bugged me, as it didn't show enough of what I wanted to see.
--- End quote ---
Hm the cam is free to change with the ABXYLR buttons, but yeah, its not perfects since the DS only has 255x191 pixels ^^"
----
However, youve rated my game better than ive expected xD
~~~~
Nice review youve placed the top 7 nearly the same ive would do it ^^
@Screens, that ***** on the other therad, it loaded damn long and it was hard to browse trough that long page
NightFox:
--- Quote from: dipper5 on September 04, 2008, 04:08:27 AM ---I did have some problems with the controls. Using the d-pad worked well, but using the shoulder buttons didn't work very well at all.
--- End quote ---
The L, R & B keys are the "very fast move keys". What's not working for you ?
dipper5:
--- Quote from: leinad on September 04, 2008, 04:43:04 AM ---@Drons
Thats actualy the sense of the Rubber [which can be turned off in the config menu] , its smth like a health-point amount.
Hm the cam is free to change with the ABXYLR buttons, but yeah, its not perfects since the DS only has 255x191 pixels ^^"
----
However, youve rated my game better than ive expected xD
~~~~
Nice review youve placed the top 7 nearly the same ive would do it ^^
@Screens, that ***** on the other therad, it loaded damn long and it was hard to browse trough that long page
--- End quote ---
I can't believe I missed all those options. Wow. how bad of me :(! I did update the score accordingly, it definately makes the game alot better now that I know I can adjust the settings. It will be staying on my ds for a lot longer of a time now. Its really enjoyable. Its great that you can save and load the configurations, and adjust pretty much everything in the game. If you thought it was rated better than you expected before.. its alot better now. Definately in my top 10.
Sorry nightfox, I didnt realize those were the fast move buttons, I will update my review accordingly. It didn't really factor in that much though, I was just looking for something that I thought could be improved, but the game works as well as it should. It does everything very well.
I also felt screenshots weren't really needed. As the people who read this have already played the game, and don't really need to see what it looks like. The pictures wouldn't really add much to the review anyway.
I tested everything on a supercard ds one.
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