1-18-08

My latest slide show. I do these periodically.

Club House Games

This game is a true sleeper hit. I've had it for almost a year-and-a-half, and it's in my DS almost every day.

There's not too much to say about this game. It's a collection of 40 simple games. Card games like Go Fish, Rummy, Bridge, Poker, War, Texas Hold 'Em, and others. Board games like Battleship, Chess, Checkers, Chinese Checkers, Backgammon, Dominoes, and others. Simulation games like Reverse Jenga (build a stack), Bowling, Darts, and others. There are at least two games for everybody and this appeals to all age levels.

Another great part is that the computer is actually a good opponent on all of the games. If you don't want to play against the computer, no problem. Every game on Club House Games works over the WiFi! I've yet to find a night where no one is up for a round of bowling or darts.

If you have $30, don't hesitate with this game. If you own a DS, it's a crime not to own this game.

Super Paper Mario

It's very rare to find a Mario game that isn't good. This lives up to the name.

The Paper Mario series has always been one of my favorites. They use 3-D graphics but make all the scenes and characters flat. When you turn from side to side, you can see how thin they are. Nintendo also throws in a lot of comedy by making jokes about paper. On the GameCube version, you can even fold Mario into an airplane or boat.

The previous versions have been mostly RPG oriented, which I've got no problems with. This one, for the Wii, took a new twist on the series. The game is a 2-D platformer. There's a twist, though: If you can't get through an area, press the A button and the game becomes 3-D and you can find new ways around areas or new items. It really gives you a great brain twister at times!

You can't go wrong with a solid 2-D platforming Mario game, and this is no exception. The 3-D platforming twist adds something unique to this title without being overused.

I can't recommend this game enough!

PSP

Ya know, I'd love to buy a PSP, but ads like this really turn me off to it. Click the image to see it larger.

Ultimate Mortal Kombat DS

I remember a time when, if you wanted to play a really good video game, you had to go to an arcade. I also remember when fighting games first picked up at the arcade. I was a Street Fighter 2 addict, and the machine was always packed with players. Then, one day, a new fighting game was set up next to it. It had real looking people instead of cartoons. The violence was off the charts as the fighters bled everywhere when they got hit. The selling part to me, was that after winning, you had the chance to kill your opponent. WOW! This game was amazing. This game was Mortal Kombat.

Over the years, Mortal Kombat has changed for the better and worse many times over. Finally they've gone back to their roots. This wonderful portable pack of greatness is the arcade version and quality of Mortal Kombat 3. Two of my favorite fighters are missing in this edition (Baraka and Johnny Cage), but at least I have Sub Zero. Don't let that fool you, though, this is every character from the arcade edition.

The gameplay is fluid and very responsive. The graphics and sound are outstanding. The WI-FI MULTIPLAYER is a needed and wonderful touch! Everything you could possibly want is included and works great.

Like every game, there a couple of downsides. The biggest, to me at least, is the lack of difficulty settings. The gameplay is very fast, and has a high learning curve when you haven't played in several years like me. It would be nice to put it on easy for a few days while I get used to everything again. Other than that, I can't complain at all!

Another nice inclusion is Puzzle Kombat. It's a Dr. Mario style game done two player format. You can play against the computer or a friend (only one cart needed). It's simple, but fun if you need a break.

If you were a fan of the classic age of fighting games, this is a must have!

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

This is, by far, my favorite series on the DS. Never did I expect to like this series as much as I do.

The game is fairly simple. You read the story as it goes, and occasionally answer a question or try to solve a riddle. You also have to look for clues.

Phoenix is a lawyer, specifically a defense attorney. The game gives you (in this edition) five murder trials that get progressively harder. You have to press witnesses and find holes in testimony while walking a thin line of pissing off the judge.

I don't fully understand what's so fun about this. It may be the intriguing stories. It may be the insane comedy that pops up as it's needed. It may be the joy in catching a liar every so often.

The whole game took me around 50-60 hours to finish, so there's lots of game to be played. The *ONLY* negative thing I can say is that there is no replay value to it unless you can sit it on a shelf for a few years before you play it again. That said, the fourth in the series is about to hit the US, so there's no lack of stories to play.

As an extra bonus, while this game was VERY hard to find when it was first released, the distribution was dramatically increase with its wide popularity and the price has even been dropped to $20 for a new copy. If you have the cash, pick this one up and you won't regret it!

Yoshi's Island DS

Usually, if Mario is put in a game, it's going to be pretty good. This game is no exception.

If you're thinking about picking this up, the original version (part one) is available on the GameBoy Advance for $20 new, and is a great warm up.

In this game, you play as Yoshi. Mario is a baby, and rides on your back. If you get hurt, he gets knocked off and cries his head off until you can catch him again. There aren't any life bars, but you only have so many seconds to pick Mario up before the baddies grab him up.

The really neat differences between this DS sequel and the original on the SNES/GBA are the dual screen views and multiple babies. The second screen shows even more areas to go. You really have to watch both to know what's going on. The multiple babies gives you some great puzzle style challenges. Mario can see and hit blocks that others can't. Peach's parasol can catch updrafts and let you float around. Donkey Kong can climb vines. Wario attracts coins and other metal objects.

Overall, this is an amazingly fun game if you can get past the babies crying. It's not a must have title, but it's worth picking up if you're just looking for a new game.