Console Reviews
Viva Pinata is one of those games where looks can very deceiving. Although it looks like a children’s game that would offer no challenge to older players it actually packs some nice gameplay features and a ton of stuff to do. It’s not perfect but there’s hours of fun to be had here.
Gameplay: Way more addictive than I ever thought it would be.
Graphics: Maybe a bit too childish for some but definitely very cute.
Sound: Loads of critter sound effects and nice ambient noises
Handheld Reviews
The touch screen controls work perfectly and there are plenty of micro games to play but for WarioWare veterans this game will be over all too soon. There’s some great ideas here but even with the tons of extras the longevity suffers a bit. It’s still a good game however and perfectly for killing a few spare minutes.
Gameplay: Good but don’t expect that much variety.
Graphics: Not much better than Gameboy Advance but fits the game style.
Sound: Some catchy tunes
Console Reviews
Xena fans will probably enjoy seeing all their favourite characters in action but this just feels to simplistic for my taste. The characters all look a little dodgy too.
Gameplay: There is fun to be had, especially in the multiplayer mode.
Graphics: Some of the characters look a little strange.
Sound: Passable
Handheld Reviews
As launch titles go Yoshi Touch N Go does a good job of showing off the new features that the DS sports but overall it never feels like it is more than two mini-games. It is definitely fun while it lasts but once you’ve broken the high-scores and played it a few times you’ll find how limited it is.
Gameplay: Addictive but the novelty wears off very quickly.
Graphics: Bright, clear and very colorful.
Sound: Some very “tropical” sounding tunes
Console Reviews
Someone that has never played a version of this game using a computer mouse would probably enjoy it more but it is definitely not a bad game. The gameplay is very addictive and there are more than enough levels to keep you playing for a long time. Checking out the demo first is highly recommended however.
Gameplay: Would have been better if the controls were more precise.
Graphics: Nice but nothing special.
Sound: Catchy tunes that will stick in your head
Gameboy Advance Game Reviews
Super Dodge Ball Advance is a lot of fun at first but once you have won a few Championships and seen all the super moves there is not much left to do. Multi-player gives it some more longevity and if you have a game link cable with a friend to join in you can easily add another point or two to the score.
Gameplay: Fairly basic but fast paced and fun.
Graphics: Colorful and detailed 2d visuals.
Sound: Not the best I have heard but generally ok
Handheld Reviews
The Gameboy Advance had its fair share of lazy ports that dragged it down and now it would appear that the DS may be heading to a similar fate. The touch screen controls in this game is completely unnecessary and doesn’t add anything to the experience and while porting a N64 game to the DS might sound impressive but the gameplay and graphics definitely suffered.
Gameplay: It’s still Ridge Racer but the fun is spoiled by the shoddy controls.
Graphics: This is barely better than what a mobile phone can offer.
Sound: Not great but not terrible either
PC Game Reviews
It is a pleasant surprise to see the Guilty Gear series appear on PC and with the right setup this game is a blast to play. Gameplay is solid although the last boss is one of the cheapest I’ve seen in a while. The lack of a story mode is also a downside but if you like your fighting games deep and don’t mind getting your ass kicked then this is the game for you. 2D fighting games doesn’t get much better than this on PC.
Gameplay: More accessible than the last game but also has a lot of depth if you stick with it.
Graphics: It would have been nice if the resolution could be increased but the game still looks good.
Sound: Good music but muddy sound effects
Console Reviews
The storyline is rather childish but the gameplay is quite addictive in this non-violent shooter. Raising havoc is a lot of fun and chasing down all the little critters can be tricky but overall this game shouldn’t pose too much of a challenge. The controls work rather well bar a few instances and it is a good showcase for the Wii hardware.
Gameplay: Perfectly suited to the Wii controls.
Graphics: Not exactly cutting edge but does the job.
Sound: Good but not great
Handheld Reviews
The fact that you have to buy both games separately is a bit of a kick in the teeth but playing Final Fantasy on PSP is as fun as it has always been. The game looks good on handheld wide screen and the simple gameplay makes it a fun title for long trips. Chances are if you are a fan you will already own a copy of this game in which case you might not want to shell out for this version.
Gameplay: Pure and simple fun.
Graphics: Nicely redrawn graphics.
Sound: Classic Final Fantasy fare
