Tetris DS		Grade: B-
	Publisher: Nintendo (2006) Reviewed: 2006/5/5

Despite its glowing reviews, Tetris DS is somewhat overrated. Don't get me wrong; this is a competent version of the classic game, but there are better ways to spend time with your DS. Tetris DS makes limited use of the system's dual screen and touch functionality. For the single player, there are no less than six variations of the game, each themed after a classic Nintendo 8-bit franchise, including Super Mario Brothers, Metroid, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, and Zelda. Veteran gamers will freak over the old-school graphics and vintage music. The first variation, "standard mode", is basically the original Tetris with a few handy new features. The new "ghost piece" indicates exactly where your block will land, and the "hard drop" lets you instantly set falling pieces into place. When used in conjunction, these really speed up the game. Since the top screen isn't needed in this mode, it's used to depict various scenes from Super Mario Brothers (NES 1985). The second variation, "push mode", is played against the CPU on a football-style field, where both players work on opposite ends of the same mass of pieces. As you might imagine, It has a back-and-forth quality to it. Catch mode lets you rotate a floating mass while approaching blocks latch onto it, and once the "core" reaches a certain size, it explodes. These new modes are certainly imaginative, but neither held my attention for long. I could also live without the tedious puzzle and mission modes where you have to perform specific actions with a fixed set of blocks. That's too much thinking for me. Last but not least, there's "touch mode", where you break down a huge stack by rearranging the blocks with a stylus. Nintendo struck gold with this one; it's easily the most fun and additive mode of the bunch. Tetris DS also offers a wealth of multiplayer and wi-fi modes, but I didn't have much luck with them. The setup is time consuming, and you always get stuck with some Tetris whiz who can stack the pieces faster than you can see them. Personally, I always felt Tetris was best played solo. Tetris DS is a nice package, but where are the other popular Tetris variations like Dr. Mario, Tetris Attack, or Tetris 2? I guess Nintendo is betting we'd be willing to buy them on a separate cartridge, and they're probably right. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

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1 to 4 players

Tiger Woods PGA Tour		Grade: C-
	Publisher: Electronic Arts (2005) Reviewed: 2006/8/8 Rating: Everyone

The key to any good golf game is its swing mechanism, and the best ones let you jump right in and play. Tiger Woods PGA Tour, on the other hand, will have you reaching for the instruction manual! In fact, you'll need a PHD in physics to fully understand EA's complicated touch screen swing meter. There's definitely a learning curve, but Tiger Woods PGA Tour has no shortage of features. I like the unlockable challenges, the ability to play against real pros, and the snazzy dual-screen fly-bys that introduce each hole. Eight real courses are available, along with a slew of playing modes. The action moves along at a brisk pace (even the CPU-controlled players don't dawdle), and you can save your progress at any time. Of course, it's all about the control, and while I did improve over time, I never felt totally comfortable with the touch swing mechanism. The putting game is just plain poor. The "grid" doesn't properly convey the contours of the green, and the ball is often obfuscated by a big blue blob. Sometimes you can't even see your ball go into the cup - you'll only know if you sunk it by your player's reaction! The PS1-quality graphics are fair, but the audio will drive you nuts. The crowd noise turns on and off like a water faucet, and the relentless crashing waves of the Pebble Beach course are almost unbearable. It's not the worst golf game in the world, but Tiger Woods PGA could definitely use some fine tuning. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

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1 to 4 players

Touch The Dead		Grade: F
	Publisher: Virgin Play (2007) Reviewed: 2007/10/21 Rating: Mature (blood, gore, violence)

At first blush, Touch the Dead seems like a pleasant surprise. I like how it attempts to emulate the fast-paced light-gun action of House of the Dead, as you tap the screen with the stylus to blast "zombies gone wild" in a penitentiary. Incidentally, the game spells it "penitenciary" - and this typo is a telltale sign of a budget title! The game offers a first-person view as you automatically roam around prison cellblocks, offices, and underground sewers. Sometimes you can shoot an arrow sign to alter your direction. Touch the Dead's graphics are Playstation One quality, with angular zombies and pixelated surfaces. On the small screen however, this lack of detail isn't a big deal. The shooting controls are responsive and exact, although having to "drag" ammo across the screen to reload is annoying. For the first two stages I was thinking "wow - this game could get interesting if I ever get out of this boring prison". Unfortunately, that never happened, as I was doomed to eternally traverse its endless empty rooms and hallways. Is this the best they could come up with? It's not even scary! All you do is blast the same two zombies over and over again - a fat one and a skinny one. The one exception is the zombie that throws his head at you (please kids, don't try this at home). There are supposed to be a few alternate weapons besides the pistol, but I could never find any. Touch of the Dead had the potential to be fun, but it falters badly due to an astounding lack of creativity. © Copyright 2007 The Video Game Critic.

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1 or 2 players

Trauma Center: Under The Knife		Grade: B
	Publisher: Atlus (2005) Reviewed: 2006/1/10 Rating: Teen (blood, mild language, mild violence, partial nudity)

Brilliant in concept, this medical surgery simulation is perfectly suited to the DS's unique touch-screen interface. If you've ever wanted to know what it feels like to be a surgeon under pressure in an operating room, Trauma Center is for you. As a rookie doctor, you perform a series of operations of increasing difficulty and intensity. A helpful nurse assists you and practically holds your hand through the early stages. The game is played entirely via the touch screen, and the controls feel surprisingly natural. Ten tools are at your disposal via icons that line the edge of the screen, including a scalpel, pump, laser, antibiotic gel, forceps, scanner, syringe, and bandages. Cutting with the scalpel is done by simply dragging the stylus over a dotted line. Draining liquid involves touching the screen to position the pump, and then dragging the stylus up to suck out the fluid. Suturing up incisions is done by moving over the wound in a zigzag pattern. Once you get the hang of these basic movements, they become second nature and can be performed in rapid succession. I'm not sure how realistic these medical procedures are, but there sure is a lot of technical jargon tossed around. Successful completion of operations not only requires a steady hand, but quick thinking as well. This game is stressful! With doctors and nurses yelling at you as a clock winds down, it can feel like more work than pleasure! Another aspect I could do without is the melodramatic storyline and the substantial amount of text it entails. I got tired of paging through all that dialogue at the start of each stage (hint: hold down Select to skip). In terms of graphics, Trauma Center is not exceptional, but does a good job of depicting injuries like lacerations, inflammations, and protruding shards of glass. I enjoyed the music, and the introductory track has an old-school, electronic quality that actually reminded me of Streets of Rage (Genesis, 1991). Trauma Center is a fresh and exciting new addition to the DS library. You won't find a game like this on any other system. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

True Swing Golf		Grade: C+
	Publisher: Nintendo (2006) Reviewed: 2006/8/8 Rating: Everyone

If nothing else, I'd have to say that True Swing Golf is tailor-made for the DS touch screen. Unlike the complicated physics meter of Tiger Woods PGA Tour, True Swing uses a simple and satisfyingly original swing mechanism. You place the stylus on the club head on the botton screen, pull it back to determine power, and then rapidly push upward to strike the ball. It's easy to get carried away and hit the top screen on your follow-through, so take it easy! Striking the ball on the left or right side lets you apply spin, and it's even possible to miss the ball completely ("whiff") - costing you a stroke! The putting is also easy - perhaps too much so. In terms of graphics, True Swing has a leg up on Tiger Woods, and includes similarly good fly-by previews of each hole. True Swing's sound effects are exceptional, especially the crystal clear rain drops. You'll definitely want to turn off the easy-listening music on the options screen though - it nearly drove me insane. On the downside, you won't find as many play modes as Tiger Woods, and the players and courses are entirely fictional. You can save your place at any time. True Swing Golf feels a bit shallow at times, but it's easy-going style should appeal to casual gamers who want to play on the go. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

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1 to 4 players

Wario Master of Disguise		Grade: C
	Publisher: Nintendo (2007) Reviewed: 2007/8/16 Rating: Everyone

Master of Disguise introduces some original new elements but isn't as fun as it could have been. At first its gameplay seems typical as you jump between platforms, pounce on enemies, and play mini-games. Once you begin unlocking "disguises" however, the game takes on a real strategic, puzzle vibe. These aren't as much "disguises" as they are costumes with special powers. For example, Cosmic Wario fires a ray gun, Artsy Wario "paints" blocks, Genius Wario finds hidden paths, and Sparky Wario can light up a room. As you accumulate powers, you'll use them in conjunction with each other to solve puzzles and access new areas. Switching disguises is done by drawing a simple pattern over Wario's head, such as a circle, check mark, or lightning bolt. Sometimes you'll need to switch disguises in rapid succession, which can be awkward. The mini-games typically last about a minute, and they are a mixed bag. I really enjoyed squishing bugs and connecting dots, but didn't like coloring in patterns to match a memorized image. Master of Disguise relies equally on the buttons and touch screen, causing my hands to cramp up something awful. It doesn't help that there's so much goofy text to page through. I wish the game allowed you to save at any time, because the save points are few and far between. Wario Master of Disguise had enough unique elements to grap by attention, but couldn't quite close the deal. © Copyright 2007 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Wario Ware Touched		Grade: A-
	Publisher: Nintendo (2005) Reviewed: 2006/6/10 Rating: Everyone

In the tradition of Wario Ware and Wario Twisted for the Gameboy Advance, Touched offers a collection of short but fascinating mini-games presented in rapid-fire succession. Using the stylus, you slice fruits, steer remote controlled cars, draw mustaches, pet a dog, swat flies, bowl, shake trees, tune radios, and play guitars. Some of the more bizarre games defy description, much to the credit of the imaginative minds at Nintendo. One stage is a tribute to old Nintendo games, and another is played completely by blowing into the microphone, almost causing me to pass out. I like how the games are randomized, and even the same ones will vary slightly each time you play to keep you on your toes. Touched challenges your problem-solving abilities and requires quick thinking. Control with the stylus is both precise and forgiving. Unfortunately, you'll spend an inordinate amount of time watching inane animated sequences. Silly as can be, these provide unnecessary backgrounds stories and attempt to tie everything together. Yes, these exist in the other Wario games as well, but never seemed this lengthy or irritating. When the action kicks in however, Wario Ware Touched is insanely fun. It's one of those novel games that must be experienced to be appreciated. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Yoshi's Island DS		Grade: C+
	Publisher: Nintendo (2006) Reviewed: 2007/8/16 Rating: Everyone

You have to hand it to Nintendo - they really know how to bang out these side-scrolling platform games. Having played this game steadily over several months, I have to say that Yoshi's Island is quite playable but won't rock your world. Controlling a Yoshi (which resembles a baby dinosaur) is always a treat because of its unique abilities. After snatching an enemy with his long tongue and swallowing it, Yoshi can poop it out as an "egg" which in turn can be hurled at hard-to-reach targets. In this game the Yoshis come in every color of the rainbow, and their mission is to protect baby versions of Nintendo characters like Mario, Donkey Kong, and Peach. You carry one baby at a time on your back, and it endows you with an additional ability. Baby Mario breaks blocks, baby Donkey Kong climbs, and baby Peach lets you glide on an umbrella. It's possible to switch babies at certain locations, but I found this idea to be more aggravating than fun. When your Yoshi takes a hit, your baby floats away in a bubble as you frantically rush to retrieve it. The over-the-top screaming and crying sound effects are absolutely hilarious. Your enemies are the usual suspects for a Mario-style game, save for occasional surprises like Shy Guys on stilts. The graphics are somewhat bland, and most of the backgrounds have an understated, washed-out look. The controls are surprising in that they do not use the touch screen controls at all! Instead you use the pressure-sensitive buttons to perform jumps of varying heights. I didn't even know those buttons were pressure-sensitive! Yoshi's Island DS amounts to standard Nintendo platform fare, and for most gamer's that's good enough. © Copyright 2007 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Yoshi's Touch and Go		Grade: A
	Publisher: Nintendo (2005) Reviewed: 2005/11/19 Rating: Everyone

I'm really glad I purchased this game along with my DS, because it demonstrates the system's unique capabilities beautifully. Yoshi's Touch and Go is like nothing I've ever experienced before. Played entirely with the stylus, the object is to guide a baby Mario around enemies and into coins. The game is played for high score - a great concept that's lost on most modern game publishers. The action begins with baby Mario floating down from the sky on balloons, and you must skillfully draw lines of clouds to alter his direction. You can also draw circles around enemies to "pop" them for bonus points. Both screens are used to convey one long vertical view. When baby Mario reaches the ground, Yoshi gives him a ride through some old-fashioned side-scrolling screens. Here you can "bridge" gaps for Yoshi and make him toss eggs at targets in the upper screen. The control scheme is intuitive and pretty ingenious in my opinion. The audio features understated music and cute but funny sound effects. Yoshi Touch and Go is simple and short, but its irresistible old-school charm makes it a real treat for DS owners. © Copyright 2005 The Video Game Critic.

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1 or 2 players

Zookeeper		Grade: B+
	Publisher: Nintendo (2004) Reviewed: 2005/11/19 Rating: Everyone

This has got to be one of the most underrated games I've played in a long time. Apparently it's been out for quite a while, yet I had never even heard of it! Zookeeper may be the most addicting puzzle game since Tetris. Heck, I couldn't even pry it from my wife's hands - and she doesn't even like video games! The game presents you with a grid of square-shaped animals on the lower screen. By swapping two at a time, you try to create rows or columns of three or more creatures of the same type, causing them to disappear. The grid then collapses to fill in the empty space, often resulting in very satisfying chain reactions. Using the stylus to select the animals is easy and fun, allowing you to execute many moves in rapid succession. The top screen displays game statistics, but you'll never really have time to look at it. Zookeeper offers a number of variations on the basic game (including a two-player "battle") and it saves the top ten scores for each mode. As much as I enjoy this game, there are two obvious issues I need to mention. First of all, the same playful music loops continuously throughout the game, and it will drive you nuts! Second, this is an easy game, so if you're any good at all, a single game can easily run well over a half hour. Still, it's hard to not like Zookeeper - a game that should appeal to both men and women of all ages. © Copyright 2005 The Video Game Critic.

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1 or 2 players