Peanutmaster's Handheld Guide » Ds

Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga – Lucas Arts – DS

peanutmaster — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 09:40:03 +0000

Ok, I admit, Lego Star Wars surprised me on most consoles; the gameplay was like nothing I’d seen before! Then, of course, Lucas Arts had to make the risky decision of making a Ds version. The outcome wasn’t the best Lego Star Wars ever…

For a start, the gameplay is too easy. This always a bad sign in platforming games. Then there’s the graphics. Ok, they are alright Ok, but I have seen better. The poor camera angles don’t improve things in the visual section either. Wouldn’t it be alot better if the camera view during the racing levels was behind you rather than above?!

At least the attention to detail is there; you can smash loads of stuff in the levels and if you look in the Cantina you’ll see a small band on a stage playing the music!

The minigames are not the best part of the game. WHO WANTS TO PLAY A MINIGAME WHERE YOU HAVE TO WASH A WINDSCREEN!! Ok, I do like the one where you’re controlling Grevious’ Wheel, dodging all the obstacles. A bit.

A better part of Lego Star Wars: A Complete Saga on Ds is actually in the Cantina. Here, you can buy more characters to play as, and even swap their body parts round (well, they are lego).

There is also alot to collect after completing the game, with means you won’t get bored quickly. Oh, and did I forget to mention that all the original sounds are still in there? Yep, Complete saga has all the famous Star Wars music and FX, making the whole game sound brilliant.

Overall, this game doesn’t add much to the first games; if you’ve played them, you’ve played this. But despite the linear levels and easy missions, this game is just so darn addictive! In fact, I might just play it now…

RATING: 78%

It’s a game I love to hate!

Lifesigns: Hospital Affairs – Spike – Ds

peanutmaster — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 09:39:04 +0000

Here’s my diagnosis: the actual surgery isn’t as good as Trauma Center, even though the process of identifying illnesses by rubbing girl’s bodies is quite smart and the artwork, overall, is much better.

The main problem with Hospital Affairs is that there just isn’t enough gameplay here to satisfy – most of the time you’re busy busy chatting with hospital staff. True, the character’s are better realised than in Trauma Center, and there’s a charming soap opera, but there’s more tedious reading than actual gameplay.

Overall, the fact that Hospital Affairs is heavy on text and low on gameplay makes it less appealing than Trauma Center.

RATING: 59%

Advance Wars: Days Of Ruin – Intelligent Systems – Ds

peanutmaster — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 09:37:54 +0000

I love Advance Wars…

Advance Wars: Days of Ruin, though not the first Advance Wars title on the DS, manages to advance the tried and tested turn-based strategy formula that has made the franchise so popular. Days of Ruin is still very true to the series, despite having a number of improvements over its predecessors. Whether it’s worth the purchase will depend on how much you fancy multiplayer.

A hearty campaign ripe with character-driven conflict is at the core of the game; this time around there’s a markedly darker overtone to the tale. Most of the world’s population has died as the result of a meteor shower that leaves the Earth in ruins. The surviving superpowers rally the troops and begin to salvage land and resources in the hopes of rebuilding their empires. Naturally, scarce resources and tough times lead to hostility, which ultimately results in a global war.

The narrative is a compelling part of the game, but the battles will be what keep players rolling along. Thanks to some great improvements, Days of Ruin manages to enrich the Advanced Wars experience. Though the series may have gained notoriety for simplifying the strategy-RPG genre down to its core without making it easy, Days of Ruin has a welcome amount of additional complexity. The introduction of individual unit levels promotes more micromanagement, which does reduce the amount of rebuilding that you’ll want to do. Other changes include the downplaying of the “Commanding Officer Powers,” as well as the introduction of various new kinds of terrain.

The most significant improvement—and one of the biggest selling points—is the new multiplayer side of the game. In addition to voice chat-enabled online multiplayer, players can create, upload, and share custom maps, allowing for quite a bit more variety. For fans of the series, this alone will likely be worth the price of admission. Unfortunately, the time spent on the multiplayer does take its toll on the rest of the game in certain ways: aside from the campaign, there’s very little single player action. Notably, the “War Room” mode, which offered a variety of preset single-player missions that were customizable, has been gutted. Thankfully, the skirmish “Free Battle” mode is intact.

The new graphical style is attractive, but there is a slight disconnect between the cut-scene sequences and the map-level presentation. Map-level play maintains the original titles’ colorful, cartoon-inspired design, while the cutscenes and character art are styled with a harsher, more adult-oriented manga direction. This is especially noticeable due to the use of the patented “next-gen” color scheme: grays, browns, and other dark and drab colors dominate the color palette.

Ultimately, it’s the game play that will keep players interested, and Days of Ruin certainly does not disappoint. The game’s mechanics have been improved with newly added layers of complexity that make combat a bit more interesting without sacrificing the game’s simplicity. The new multiplayer options significantly increase the game’s replayability: online multiplayer with voice chat is a big addition, as is the improved map editor that now allows you to share your maps online.

Unlockable: Characters

To unlock the following characters for use in the game, complete the corresponding missions during your campaign.

Caulder – Mission 26
Forthsythe – Mission 14
Gage - Mission 13
Greyfield – Mission 21
Penny – Mission 24
Tabitha – Mission 25
Tasha - Mission 12
Waylon – Mission 20

This title may be a little harder to get into than other Advance Wars titles, but if you want to expand the experience and enjoy some well-designed multiplayer, this is a solid title. Fans of the first game who simply wanted more of the same may want to give this a try before buying.

RATING: 79%

Advance Wars is perfect for the Ds.

SBK: Snowboard Kids – Rising Star – Ds

peanutmaster — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 09:36:59 +0000

Ever wondered what would happen if Mario and friends decided to get on a snowboard and go down some slopes? For those who do, Snowboard Kids is the closest thing to the answer!

Snowboard Kids is basicly a sweet, anime-esque game that sees some kids in strange clothes boarding down a few slopes from around the world. Nice. But underneath the surface lies gameplaythat owes alot to Mariokart. As you slide around downwards, tapping the screen to pick up speed and using the buttons to pull off tricks in the air, you can collect power ups to use against your opponents. Some power ups are very neat. Get hit by a snowball and you have to blow into the Ds mic to clear your view.

There are a few unlockables to get hold of, like weapon boosts and extra characters. To do this, you need to collect points from around each track. These range from China to Germany to Canada…

Mutiplayer is Okay with SBK: Snowboard Kids, with up to four people racing wirelessly. But it isn’t exactly Mariokart. At least the graphics are good.

Sadly, this game isn’t anywhere near as good as the N64 original version; it’s just too short and simplistic, meaning this game won’t last you very long at all.

RATING: 53%

If you liked this, try the original N64 version.

More Brain Training – Nintendo – Ds

peanutmaster — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 10:27:38 +0000

And I still can’t get a brain age below 45…

Good old Dr Kawashima. Yes, that disembodied head that destroys your self-confidence and haunts your your dreams is back to patronise us some more.

And rightly so, because since team Peanutmaster had last played Brain Training, our puny cortexes had withered away and died again. Lucky for us, ten minutes a day of light (and often punishing!) mental taxation soon got us back in the cerebral saddle.

Brain Training was never a gamer’s game and, to be honest, nothing has really changed. A casual gamer’s dream, the beguiling combination of mathematical, cognitive and language-based tasks are as devious and clever as ever, but beaver away and within a couple of weeks I guarantee your calendar will genuinely reflect a marked improvement in your mental well-being – potentially helping make you top of the class in school, eminently employable and even ravishingly attractive to members of the opposite gender!

There is a lot to do in More Brain Training - with almost impossible puzzles like ‘Memorise All’ that asks you to… Well, memorise all. There is also over 100 different sudoku puzzles to keep you occupied.

With unlockable tasks to keep you on your toes, a standalone sudoku game and the opportunity to go head-to-head with 15 other brain agers, this is an improvement – albeit slight – on the bestselling original.

RATING: 82%

If you like this, try Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training on Ds.

Tamagotchi Cornershop 2 – Namco – Ds

peanutmaster — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 13:32:02 +0000

Caring for wittering, 2D blobs has worn a bit thin over the years, but Tamagotchi is still big news in Japan. This is why Namco made a sequel to the first bizzare (and…. Cute) Tamagotchi game.

Like before, this is made up of 12 mini-games – each being played in a different place, from a burger bar to a doctor’s surgery. Your goal is to make enough money to expand your shops and buy cut furniture for your Tama’s pad.

Everything is this game is incredibly simple – both the gameplay (which uses just screen-tapping controls) and the colourful graphics. And this what makes Tamagotchi Cornershop 2 so appealing. The conversations are hilarious – random lines of speech are delivered in speaky voices from each character. The childish chatter fits Tamagotchi perfectly!

You can’t fail to love it’s personality, but it’s the mini-games where some might falter. Like Electroplankton, it’s really more of an experience. In some shops you are given so much creative license it’s almost impossible to fail! Which is good for anyone who wants to create a bouquet of flowers, then send a photo of it to a friend. But not for those expecting a cute version of Wario Ware.

Tamagotchi cornershop 2 is a bit of a disapointment to anyone who just wanted a nice batch of minigames. Yes, this is overwhelmingly endearing to start with, but it becomes very repetitive and is so puzzlingly simple, you kill 3 braincells from just playing it (ok, maybe not but that’s how it feels like!!!) The most enjoyable thing is making the cakes, I mean, everyone loves making cakes, right?!? Oh dear…

The graphics are simple and perfectly suited to the gameplay, but then, they aren’t the best around! Oh, and it is too easily completed!!! I would only reccomend this game to younger children who love simple minigames, or people that collect rubbish games.

RATING: 56%

Hint: Strive to get all your shops approved by the Queen, and reap the amazingly boring rewards. Well, it’s kind of worth it, OK!!!

Well, that’s what I think, got any tips to make this a little more challenging? please leave a comment!

Puzzle Quest: Challenge Of The Warlords – Vicious Cycle – Ds, Psp

peanutmaster — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:39:19 +0000

I know that a new version of this Puzzle Quest was released for other formats than the ones listed in the title, but I am only reviewing the original versions.

There is a brief moment, on your second day of colour-matching puzzling and stat growing that you’re covinced that Puzzle Quest is the greatest game ever. This is more than just addictive – it’s ’staying up all night whilst you’re eyes melt’ addictive.

But, of course, it’s not the best game ever made – the presentation is a it rank in places for that. But it does marry two of the most addictive things in the world – ‘match three clour puzzlers’ along the lines of Zoo Keeper and Bejeweled and RPG style stat building.

Yes, it works brilliantly. There’s an RPG overworld to explore – chat to people, buy from shops and take on quests. And then the battles themselves take the form of puzzle matches. Rather than just scoring points though, matching different icons deals damage and hoards EXP, money or mana with which to unleash special attacks and cruel spells.

Puzzle Quest has all the properties of a solid puzzler. But beyond that, being inside a story and a character-building framework gives it a sense of purpose – something that Zoo Keeper maybe lacks a bit.

The graphics of Puzzle Quest are a bit of a let down. But you don’t notice this flaw much thanks to the addictive gameplay and the enormous lifespan! Yes, this is a brilliant game and a must for any Ds or Psp owner. I just wonder why this has not had more publicity…

RATING: 82%

If you liked this, try Lumines 2 or Zoo Keeper.

New Super Mario Bros – Nintendo – Ds

peanutmaster — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:45:18 +0000

New super mario bros combines classic platform gaming with mushroom-munching action! Play as mario to save Princess Peach and stop Bowser Jr once and for all! Unlike Kirby each level is a world of it’s own – from deep caverns to sandy deserts to dry-bones infested castles! You could spend all day hooked to the screen trying to catch all 250 big star coins! My sister thinks that the actual gameplay is way too easy – she completed it in 3 hours! Below is a video of those first few levels;

New Super Mario Bros can have up to four players battling it out in the minigames section, and also on the ‘collect all the stars’ game, so there is no reason to not buy it!!

CHEATS: PLAY AS LUIGI

* To play as luigi, press the ‘R’ and ‘L’ buttons together, whilst selecting a file on the main menu screen.

CHEATS: CHALLENGE MODE

* Whilst paused on the map, press L R L R X X Y Y. This starts the secret challenge mode. This only works after the game has been completed.

UNLOCKABLES:

* To unlock world 4, defeat the boss of world 2 as mini mario.

* To unlock world 7, defeat the boss of world 5 as mini mario.

* To unlock the BG patterns complete the game once.

* To unlock unlimited toadstool items clear every level – even the bonus the lettered bonuses.

* To be able to save, beat the game once.

* If you complete a level with the last digits of the time being either 11, 22, 33, 44, 55, 66, 77, 88 or 99 a differant colour mushroom hut appears – depending on the time.

RATING: 97%

If you liked this game, you’ll love Super Mario 64 or Kirby: Mouse Attack!

If you know of any more Cheats or unlockables, or if you have any questions, send them in!!

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl – Game Freak – Ds

peanutmaster — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:40:31 +0000

After the dreadful, touch-screen destroying Pokemon Ranger, we’ve all been waiting for a proper Pokemon game on Ds. And here it is! Diamond and Pearl are perfect for the already fans of the series, or for the first-timers.

STARTING OFF:

When beginning the games, you get pulled by your friend off to Lake Verity, where you encounter Prof. Rowan and Dawn. you then get a chance to take your first Pokemon. I found Chimchar is the best to pick, as Piplup and Turtwig are both very weak Pokemon – If you’ve completed the game and want something harder, try going for Piplup or Turtwig for the hell of it!

REMEMBER:

To do the best you can, try catching a Chimchar, Bidoof, Shinx Starly and Budew straight away – let them level up together and you’ll be practically unbeatable!!

NATIONAL DEX:

To Get the National PokeDex, collect every Pokemon in Sinnoh. You won’t be able to get past the Battle Area until you’ve done this. Next, go to Prof. Rowan’s lab, where Prof. Oak will butt in and upgrade your PokeDex.

To actually complete the game, you will need to find every Pokemon in the entire area – some found by simply wandering in long grass, whilst others you must trade from other people.

POKEMON:

This is a list of rare pokemon and where to find them.

DIAGLA/PIAGLA

Once you have beaten Galactic Boss Cyrus in the Veilstone base and been given the master ball, head to the top of Mount Coronet, where Galactic Mars, Saturn and Cyrus await to Duel once more. Once you have beaten them, Diagla/Piagla (Depending on the game) will step forth. Just use the master ball!

UXIE/AZELF/MESPRIT

Once you have captured Diagla/Piagla, head to the three lakes, where these three Pokemon will be waiting. Instead of attacking, Uxie will dissapear, and randomly appear in grassy patches in Sinnoh. To hunt him down, use the Poketech Tracking device you can get off the manager of the Poketech center in Jubelife City.

GIRATINA

To find this beast, head down into Turnback Cave from Spring Walk. He is very sinister, and I would save your Master Pokeball for him, as he’s level 70!!

CRESSILIA

To find this mystical pokemon talk to the sailor at Canalave city – ask him to take you to full moon island. Cressilia will be there, but disappear – use the tracking device to find it.

DRIFLOON

On friday this ghost pokemon will be standing outside the Valley Windworks.

ROTOM

Once you’ve started the National Pokedex, visit the Old Chateau. Go into the room with the television and click on it. the Rotom will appear.

HAPPINY

To get Happiny, you can either wait for it to appear in the Pokemon Mansion trophy garden, or you can get an Egg from a man in Hearthome City. It will hatch into a Happiny.

LUCARIO

To get this Pokemon, speak to the sailor in Canalave City, and set sail for Iron Island. A man will be waiting in the cave. Guide him through to the exit to get an Egg which will hatch into a Riolu.

REGIGIGA

If you enter the temple in Snowpoint city with Regirock, Regice, etc, this poikemon will be waiting for you.

OTHERS:

Once you have started the national dex, talk to Bebe. She will give you an Evee.

Once you have started the national dex, talk to Dawn’s sister. She will tell you where certain pokemon are. These pokemon can only be found when Dawn’s sister tells you about them. They are : Delibird, Doduo, Pidgy, Drowzee, Surskit, Nosepass, Beldum, Lickitung, Zigzagoon. This list will be added to when we have obtained more info.

Once you have started the national dex, go to the pokemon mansion on the road to Hearthome City from Pastoria City. If you talk to the owner his butler will run from the room. If you then go to the garden the pokemon the owner was boasting about to you will be there! These pokemon are: Plusle, Meowth, Mime Jr, Happiny, Chansey, Porygon, Minun. More will be added to this list as we find more info.

Nintendogs – Nintendo – Ds

peanutmaster — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:36:58 +0000

This game is the biggest ‘pet’ game EVER for the Ds. It was a hit in Japan and massive in America, but how good is it really?

If you’ve played Sims 2 Pets and found it boring, try Nintendogs. Buy your own dogs, care for them, train them, enter them into the dog contests and more!!

This game is just like having your own dog to dress up ( my favourite item of clothing is mario’s hat, which you can find on walks)! The contests are also very impressive, and enjoyable – especially the frisbee challenge.

I really like how this game makes you play it , because if you don’t , your dog won’t like you, which means it won’t do very well in any of the competitions, meaning you won’t be able to feed your dog – it all counts on you playing the game all the time!

I don’t really like how the background keeps repeating itself when your giving your dogs ‘walkies’ – it just shows how Nintendo quickly skipped over the making of this feature (hopefully because they were attracting all their attention to a game for the future).

Cheats:

Eating exclamation marks – When an exclamation mark appears above your dog, drag it to it’s mouth and it will eat it!

All together, the game is a strange mix of virtual pets and dog related mini games that becomes very addictive!

RATING: 89%

If you enjoyed playing this game, try Dogz on Ds, or Sims 2 Petes on Ds