Mario Kart DS

Image from: http://www.gamerankings.com/ds/920788-mario-kart-ds/images/box60877.html

Mario Kart DS is part of the popular Nintendo racing series, in which players race their favourite Nintendo characters in karts against each other on different tracks. These "tracks include everything from simplistic figure-eight circuits and beach courses to street races that task [players] with avoiding traffic and racing around a giant pinball table" (Calvert, 2005, ¶ 2). This isn't the average kart race though, because the karts can be armed with weapons such as banana peels, opponent-seeking red shells, and opponent-shrinking lightning bolts to power-up the racer (Calvert, 2005, ¶ 1). As Harris states, "the series has never been about realistic racing, but that's its charm -- players still have to employ some proper racing skill and strategy, but the power-up element can throw off even the best driver" (2005, ¶ 4).

A great single or multi-player game, Mario Kart DS features: (1) eight single-player grand prix competitions that consist of four races each; (2) fifty-four single-player missions that consist of six groups of nine missions with a boss battle at the end of each group; and (3) battle-mode games, Balloon Battles, and Shine Runners, which can be played as either single-player or multi-player (Calvert, 2005, ¶ 2, 5, 7). In addition, this game allows players to connect with friends (up to 36 of them), rivals (players of similar ability), and regional or worldwide opponents through Mario Kart DS online, so there are lots of opportunities to race against real-life competitors (Calvert, 2005, ¶ 9). Finally, this game can be played in one of three classes (difficulty levels) - 50cc, 100cc, and 150cc - and as players progress through the different classes, there is a discernible increase in the speed and in the aggression of the players (Calvert, 2005, ¶ 2).

For reviews of this game, please refer to: Game Rankings.com http://www.gamerankings.com/ds/920788-mario-kart-ds/articles.html

This game made the play list, because it is a classic award-winning game. In fact, Mario Kart first appeared on the Super Nintendo in 1992 (Calvert, 2005, ¶ 1). As Harris asserts, "there's absolutely not a doubt in my mind: Mario Kart DS is the greatest Mario Kart game ever, which, in turn, makes it the greatest Kart racer game ever created" (Harris, 2005, ¶ 1). The delightful visuals and sounds effects associated with the series, make it a great gender-neutral game that children aged 10 to 12 would enjoy. In addition, Mario Kart DS makes good use of the functionality of the DS by utilizing both of the screens, which was one of our criterion. Namely, the top screen displays a close up of a player's character and the bottom screen displays a map, which not only shows the player's location on the circuit, but also the locations of power-ups, traps, and opponents (Calvert, 2005, ¶ 4). This game is also great for children, because it has a short learning curve due to the forgiving handling of the carts (Calvert, 2005, ¶ 6), which is remarkably tight and responsive (Harris, 2005, ¶ 5). However, the game also has lasting appeal, because there are numerous advanced techniques that racers can learn to shave a few seconds off of their times (Calvert, 2005, ¶ 6). Finally, one of the best reasons why this game would be a good addition to a library collection is that players, with some restrictions, can use a single copy of the game to race and battle against up to seven other people (Calvert, 2005, ¶ 7). The restrictions on circuit and character choice when using only one copy of the game, are lifted when each player has his/her own copy of the game (Calvert, 2005, ¶ 7). In conclusion, players aged 10 to 12 can learn good hand-eye coordination and strategy while playing this fun kart racing game.

SOURCES:

Calvert, J. (2005). Mario Kart DS review. Retrieved from http://www.gamespot.com/ds/driving/mariokartds/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary%3Bread-review&tag=stitialclk%3Bgamespace

Harris, C. (2005). Mario Kart DS. Retrieved from http://ds.ign.com/articles/666/666125p1.html

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story

Winner of the Interactive Achievement Award for Best Portable Game of the Year, Bowser’s Inside Story is a completely unique, multi-character experience featuring mini-games, epic battles, and a hilariously-executed storyline and cast of characters. The storyline is born of the wonderfully bizarre premise that Bowser, Mario and Luigi’s most fearsome enemy since the original instalment of Super Mario Bros., has inhaled the two heroes after eating a poisonous mushroom fed to him by his own worst enemy, Fawful. For the duration of the game, Mario and Luigi’s gameplay exists inside Bowser’s stomach, while Bowser himself fights to regain his kingdom.

Bowser’s Inside Story features hilarious dialogue (Fawful was actually runner-up for GamesRadar’s Platium Chalice Award for most quotable character), accessible role-playing, and plenty of variety with its smaller puzzles and adventures. Due to the unfortunate situation that finds the Mario Bros., the gameplay is absolutely innovative and unique to the DS. Players are responsible for controlling Bowser, who stomps around on the upper screen in his typical loutish fashion, while switching often to Mario and Luigi, who are left to contend with various catastrophes in Bowser’s stomach. Negotiating between the two landscapes creates a cause/effect scenario where players’ actions with Bowser will affect what happens to the characters in his belly, and vice versa. Each succeeding level is appropriately difficult in relation to the previous levels, so players can develop their skills at a proper pace to prepare for what comes next. The game makes excellent use of certain DS features, using both screens as well as the microphone to increase the intensity of some of Bowser’s more ferocious attacks.

Bowser’s Inside Story has an E (for Everyone) rating, and contains comic mischief and mild cartoon violence. The game promotes teamwork between characters (allowing players to experience the effects of their choices and movements), fine motor skills, and offers a completely distinctive storyworld with countless opportunities for discovery and amusement. The early levels are playable by newcomers, but the later levels are demanding enough to challenge more seasoned players.

Image source: http://www.giantbomb.com/

Video source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nW6YDv_EhnY

Some of the information contained in this post was gathered from reviews published on the following sites. Click the links below to read the full reviews:

Gamespot: http://www.gamespot.com/ds/rpg/marioluigirpg3/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary%3Bread-review

IGN: http://ds.ign.com/articles/102/1023475p1.html

1Up: http://www.1up.com/reviews/mario-luigi-bowser-story-review



The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass

Awarded Game of the Year by IGN, Gamespot, and Gamespy, the most recent DS version of Zelda is an engaging, visually compelling role-playing game suitable for most age groups. Comprised of smaller puzzles, well-developed characters, a delightful over-arching narrative, The Phantom Hourglass presents a satisfying balance of a vibrant story and engrossing gameplay.

The story follows the character Link on a quest to save his friend Tetra, who has been kidnapped by the monstrous Bellum. Link meets and joins up with a number of vivid characters along with way, including the Ocean King, a fairy with a secret identity, and a treasure-hungry sea captain. The primary quest finds Link seeking out the spirits of Wisdom, Courage, and Power with the use of his Phantom Hourglass, and forging the coveted Phantom Sword. Optional side quests allow players to catch fish, tinker with their boat, and more – players can choose to settle into some of these smaller projects for more immediate payoffs and to develop their imaginative sense of the story world, or they can rush onward to find their missing friend.

The Phantom Hourglass uses traditional cel-shaded cartoon animation, which gives the game a polished and charming look. Use of the Nintendo DS stylus in this game is intuitive, and tutorials are consistently provided throughout for players having any difficulty with the mechanics of the game. Link’s movements, use of weapon, etc, are largely achieved by the player making circles, slashes, and other such motions with the stylus. The game makes excellent use of both DS screens, providing a map on the top screen on which players can make notes with the stylus, while gameplay occurs on the lower screen. As with other Zelda games, movement backwards to previously completed levels creates opportunities for new discoveries. Some fantasy violence garnered an E (for Everyone) rating; the tutorials, smaller puzzles, storyline, and innovative interface will appeal to the 10-12 age group and any fan of the Zelda series. The Phantom Hourglass promotes fine motor skills through use of the stylus, and allows players to be creative with their gameplay and approach to the scenario. The characters, world, storyline, and puzzles foster players’ investment in the game as a whole.

Image source: http://www.mobygames.com/

Video source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE6jTYVWjAc

Some of the information contained in this post was gathered from reviews and articles published on the following sites. Click on the links to read the full reviews:

Gamespot: http://www.gamespot.com/ds/adventure/thelegendofzeldads/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary%3Bread-review

IGN: http://ds.ign.com/articles/822/822825p1.html

Wikipedia:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda:_Phantom_Hourglass

Brain Age

Developed to provide stimulation to all parts of the brain at all levels, Brain Age has a wide variety of puzzles and can be played with groups of people. It focuses on making learning easy, fun, and socially interactive, and encouraging competition and group play. It has functions for all kinds of learning, including math, logic, music, memory recall, and writing. Whether or not its effects on the brain can be scientifucally supported, it is definitely a fun way for kids to solve problems from a lot of different disciplines. It has won a few awards connected to its intelligent game play and generally received positive reviews.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGMOeYCa_jw

Sources:

http://www.brainage.com/launch/index.jsp

http://brainage.com/launch/what.jsp

http://www.brainage.com/launch/howto.jsp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_Age:_Train_Your_Brain_in_Minutes_a_Day!