Anyone who put a few hours of play time into this game will realize that it's easier to get into than past Mario Kart titles, mostly purists will sense this right away. Nintendo made this title with the casual gamer in mind to get the most attention and for the most part it pays off.
Mario Kart lets you play through several game modes where you pick a character, pick a kart or motorcycles (new to the franchise), pick a stage (16 classic tracks from past MK titles and 16 brand new tracks) and then you race for 1st place against 11 other CPU racers. Along the way, you can pick up several power ups to help you or hinder your competition as well as multiple ledges to perform speed boosts. As you go through the single player mode, you start off at the lowest class (50 cc) and earn the right to unlock the 100 cc class (cars go faster) and the 150 cc (cars go the fastest.) Races take place in the form of "Cups" featuring tracks of various themes. Of course, Nintendo always pack in extra content waiting to be unlocked when you fulfill certain conditions. In the end you can unlock secret characters, karts and motorcycles. Anything you unlocked in the single player mode can be used in the online multiplayer modes, which is where you can race up to 11 other people from across the world. Win your races and you win rank points and improve your status online.
The PROS: graphics, sounds and music. There are lots of characters to use. There are lots of karts, bikes and characters to unlock. The controls are very easy to use and you have a choice of Wiimote and Nunchuk, Classic Pro controller, Wii Wheel (included with game) or Gamcube controller as your means to control the game. 4 player support is available so you can play with your friends. Online multiplayer is fun and works (unlike the online multiplayer featured in Super Smash Bros Brawl.)
The CONS: Remember when I said earlier the casual gamer can get into this game? It's because the overall difficulty of this game in general is low, EXCEPT for the cheap A.I. on the highest difficulty level. Racing in the 150 cc means dealing with the cheap, cheezy, rubber band A.I. of the CPU racers (very frustrating at times.) Some single player modes are not available in the multi-player modes. And yes, hackers have found a way to boost their stats and snag power ups without actually acquiring them so beware whenever you race online for any funny activity.
It plays a lot like Mario Kart 64 so why should a 6.0 be bumped up to a 8.5? It shouldn't go pass 6,5 in my opinion. Just because it is fun could also mean its stupid fun. I had stupid fun when I was a kid, but I'm a grown up. Grown-up hate this. This is the only game my non-gamer mother wants to play; therefore, it can't be a 7, 8, 9 or even 10.
Tuesday, July 04, 2000
Monday, July 03, 2000
Playstation 3 - Batman: Arkham Asylum 9.0
The Joker is hotter than hot, thanks to the great role of Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight. Batman now faces many in the second place, in terms of popularity (and Robin at the last, simply because he is gay). We think the thoughts that this game will be different. Batman: Arkham Asylum not immediately attracted the most attention of many people. Batman games were never really highly regarded and why the expectations were not high in this title, with surely a very interesting setting. I had very high expectations for this game, because I had secretly hoped that it would be a little sleeper hit. Read on and you'll know whether I was right.
The story now is no big secret anymore, because that was really the only thing most were released. Batman, our sexy man with a fetish for bats, the infamous Joker arrested. The strange this is that it went from there very easily. Almost without protest caught the bat friend the smiley. . Batman drives full speed into the prison / asylum Arkham Asylum, where The Joker is thrown behind bars. Unfortunately, the party not because this was just the Joker counted. . Everything is to hand and within seconds turned to Arkham Asylum has become his playground.
Here we must immediately stop here for a break. Moments later we see Killer Croc, who was removed from his cell for a transfer. The beast was not happy and threatened to make Batman's life miserable the next time he has a chance to do so. Now we continue where we left off: The Joker escapes.
Batman guessed something, but he is again doomed. Now the player takes control of Batman and can get to work. The Joker in Batman sends only criminals off. This is the perfect opportunity for the controls once the paces and in particular the aspect Knok. This is very limited, but still very dynamic. You can kick and hit a square. Can counter attack with triangle and you can make enemies dizzy circle. As the whole joke is: the fight is not so much the repeating what we used it in other fighting games. BBatman reacts differently to each of the positions the enemy. Thus, he example a flip kick and then a few criminals to hand out as far, but only to go fist as everyone snug around him.
Especially the counter attack we find very enjoyable to do. This attack provides the most satisfying. This is also what you most need to keep an eye on you. The bad guys get three Harry Potter-like lightning icons above their head, before they attack you want. . At that moment you must press triangle, so that the counter can start. You'll very much this kind of fighting experience in Batman: Arkham Asylum. . Also something that could happen very repetitive. However, the blades sometimes alternating with sociopaths and psychopaths with him actually crazier than a door. The idiots with knives you get down with the easiest one stun attack (O button) and the most craziest (you probably know them: to have clothes with super long sleeves and think that the floor moves) have only one hit and a finishing blow required. If the crooks on the ground to die, you give them a final blow. Do this by holding R1 and pressing triangle.
Once the first group to have been grounds for criminals we can proceed with the game. Batman does everything in order to stop The Joker. We will not spoil things in the game going, because who will buy the game still can go enjoy the many surprises that the game is rich. Some characters are such a star in the game that have never been announced. They will also provide the necessary variety in the game.People with the greatest fear, that the game will be very repetitive, I can reassure you. There are many aspects to be addressed, that the game time after time so interesting. In the beginning you only with your fists, for example, the Batarang and grappling hook to do. But in the course of the game with other gadgets you can get to work.
Later on also gives you explosive gel and a grapple gun that Batman can move vertically. The gadgets play an important role in the game, because sometimes you are obliged to use it otherwise you will just not go in the game. One nice extra (but not for us to Batman) is that The Riddler is also working on Arkham Island. The Riddler has spread here and Riddler Trophies that you can start searching. We are accustomed in such kind of games that if you have extras, although not often yields results. In Batman: Arkham Asylum wel. In Batman: Arkham Asylum is. Besides the Trophies The Riddler has also invented puzzles that you're allowed to solve.. Based on these riddles must you can figure out what you should do a scan (hold L2).
TThe Riddler will almost always comment if you've found something. Although limited to the following comments how stupid you do not have, not how great he is or how long it has not lasted, before you found out what the mystery was. Juist hier viel ons wat op. Exactly what we came here. There is a lot spoken by the voice actors. We have our play session might only twice heard a particular sentence for the second time was used. The Joker also goes by the constant intercom and that's really never the same and always hilarious. Besides the Trophies, secret maps and chattering teeth that you can collect and destroy, you can record tapes from some bad guys find out the Batman comics.
This must also find and Sleuth. They are extras, but very nice. For example, you hear some conversations between the psychiatrist and The Joker. Also include The Riddler and Harley Quinn can hear the conversations. They are not only fun, but they also say more about the story behind the characters.Besides the tapes can also (you can find so many different things in Batman Arkham Asylum) with one stone beetle find out. The Arkham Chronicles. Why this name? If you have found them the story of the founder of Arkham Asylum hearing. He tells how it all started and what he experienced when he was doing.
Yet we have a few downsides to this game. So the bosses are very mild. The best had been less superficial. The bosses were maybe five years ago groundbreaking, but are now very overtakes. Also the game is not very difficult to call. In many fights with the inmates is a good vigilance is required, but then you also if you give enough punches and countered. The fighting itself may indeed be repetitive, but luckily you can in certain rooms in true Batman style you're going to attack enemies. Throw the Gargoyles (Gargoyles) ensures that Batman is invisible to the criminals and the many gadgets allows the player to make a truly many different ways to proceed.
When enough challenges from the Riddler has settled, we can climb the Challenge mode. Here you can fight against hordes of criminals just as quiet as possible a few criminals knock out. While doing this you can complete three challenges. Example of a gargoyle hanging criminals (by means of an inverted take down) or by using your explosives. If you do this you earn points on the natural world leaderboards appear. There are sixteen Challenges to unlock during the Story mode. If you have found enough Riddler Trophies unlock your Character biographies of Character Trophies. The biographies can be read and 3D Character Trophies are just the characters that you can see below (Harley Quinn has a very sexy package to ...).
We almost forget one important aspect in the game: the Detective Mode. When this mode is activated, with a Batman type X-ray view of the world bad guys easily (through walls) in one spot and see if a particular instant wall weak enough to blow. You know this only too well the many trailers and wonder whether you throughout the game by this view will not only play, but falling into giant. Sometimes you into the game follow a certain track, the time of the CSI game, but this is purely for atmosphere and is not profound All in all a very useful tool for the friend who bats dierendag extra bats in the sun sets.
Batman has a lot in terms of extras to offer. It is deep, interesting and fun to explore them all. The basic gameplay is nice, but interesting enough to the many hours to maintain. . You do the long game, even once an asset, but there is people backtracking in the game. Only every time, when you enter a certain place, it is totally different. Some characters make for a very pleasant change and the story is fascinating rete. Graphics are impressive. The Unreal Engine is very good use of animations and Batman are also high (ragdolls never get weird poses). . His cape flies great the whole game and certainly at times when we may float a bit, this is very cool. The game provides a very good feeling Batman and The Joker is super well reflected in the game. People who swear by Heath Ledger, The Joker also does justice to his role.
What can we say? There is much in the game is good it really is a super game. It has become a sleeper hit that nobody saw coming. The AI is good, the battles are not as boring as Assassin's Creed and working with as you take down a criminal, the other does not really wait. The many unlockables are fun to find, the environments are amazing (but wait until you come to the Penitentiary!), The recorded voices are great and the characters are fantastic shape. Anyone slightly familiar with the comics here will have a feast.Gamers who are not fans of Batman will also be pure enjoyment from the game can get. The game offers a lot and is a good warmup for the grand Assassin's Creed 2, because it is more modern. We can only recommend everyone to go get this game directly to the local game farm, because everything is just entertaining in this game!
- Extra's fascinatin
- Good story.
- Nice graphics.
- No Robin in the game.
- Play nice.
- Gadgets are bold.
- Great atmosphere
- Overtakes his bosses.
- Riddler maps are very easy quest.
- Battles are slightly monotonous.
The story now is no big secret anymore, because that was really the only thing most were released. Batman, our sexy man with a fetish for bats, the infamous Joker arrested. The strange this is that it went from there very easily. Almost without protest caught the bat friend the smiley. . Batman drives full speed into the prison / asylum Arkham Asylum, where The Joker is thrown behind bars. Unfortunately, the party not because this was just the Joker counted. . Everything is to hand and within seconds turned to Arkham Asylum has become his playground.
Here we must immediately stop here for a break. Moments later we see Killer Croc, who was removed from his cell for a transfer. The beast was not happy and threatened to make Batman's life miserable the next time he has a chance to do so. Now we continue where we left off: The Joker escapes.
Batman guessed something, but he is again doomed. Now the player takes control of Batman and can get to work. The Joker in Batman sends only criminals off. This is the perfect opportunity for the controls once the paces and in particular the aspect Knok. This is very limited, but still very dynamic. You can kick and hit a square. Can counter attack with triangle and you can make enemies dizzy circle. As the whole joke is: the fight is not so much the repeating what we used it in other fighting games. BBatman reacts differently to each of the positions the enemy. Thus, he example a flip kick and then a few criminals to hand out as far, but only to go fist as everyone snug around him.
Especially the counter attack we find very enjoyable to do. This attack provides the most satisfying. This is also what you most need to keep an eye on you. The bad guys get three Harry Potter-like lightning icons above their head, before they attack you want. . At that moment you must press triangle, so that the counter can start. You'll very much this kind of fighting experience in Batman: Arkham Asylum. . Also something that could happen very repetitive. However, the blades sometimes alternating with sociopaths and psychopaths with him actually crazier than a door. The idiots with knives you get down with the easiest one stun attack (O button) and the most craziest (you probably know them: to have clothes with super long sleeves and think that the floor moves) have only one hit and a finishing blow required. If the crooks on the ground to die, you give them a final blow. Do this by holding R1 and pressing triangle.
Once the first group to have been grounds for criminals we can proceed with the game. Batman does everything in order to stop The Joker. We will not spoil things in the game going, because who will buy the game still can go enjoy the many surprises that the game is rich. Some characters are such a star in the game that have never been announced. They will also provide the necessary variety in the game.People with the greatest fear, that the game will be very repetitive, I can reassure you. There are many aspects to be addressed, that the game time after time so interesting. In the beginning you only with your fists, for example, the Batarang and grappling hook to do. But in the course of the game with other gadgets you can get to work.
Later on also gives you explosive gel and a grapple gun that Batman can move vertically. The gadgets play an important role in the game, because sometimes you are obliged to use it otherwise you will just not go in the game. One nice extra (but not for us to Batman) is that The Riddler is also working on Arkham Island. The Riddler has spread here and Riddler Trophies that you can start searching. We are accustomed in such kind of games that if you have extras, although not often yields results. In Batman: Arkham Asylum wel. In Batman: Arkham Asylum is. Besides the Trophies The Riddler has also invented puzzles that you're allowed to solve.. Based on these riddles must you can figure out what you should do a scan (hold L2).
TThe Riddler will almost always comment if you've found something. Although limited to the following comments how stupid you do not have, not how great he is or how long it has not lasted, before you found out what the mystery was. Juist hier viel ons wat op. Exactly what we came here. There is a lot spoken by the voice actors. We have our play session might only twice heard a particular sentence for the second time was used. The Joker also goes by the constant intercom and that's really never the same and always hilarious. Besides the Trophies, secret maps and chattering teeth that you can collect and destroy, you can record tapes from some bad guys find out the Batman comics.
This must also find and Sleuth. They are extras, but very nice. For example, you hear some conversations between the psychiatrist and The Joker. Also include The Riddler and Harley Quinn can hear the conversations. They are not only fun, but they also say more about the story behind the characters.Besides the tapes can also (you can find so many different things in Batman Arkham Asylum) with one stone beetle find out. The Arkham Chronicles. Why this name? If you have found them the story of the founder of Arkham Asylum hearing. He tells how it all started and what he experienced when he was doing.
Yet we have a few downsides to this game. So the bosses are very mild. The best had been less superficial. The bosses were maybe five years ago groundbreaking, but are now very overtakes. Also the game is not very difficult to call. In many fights with the inmates is a good vigilance is required, but then you also if you give enough punches and countered. The fighting itself may indeed be repetitive, but luckily you can in certain rooms in true Batman style you're going to attack enemies. Throw the Gargoyles (Gargoyles) ensures that Batman is invisible to the criminals and the many gadgets allows the player to make a truly many different ways to proceed.
When enough challenges from the Riddler has settled, we can climb the Challenge mode. Here you can fight against hordes of criminals just as quiet as possible a few criminals knock out. While doing this you can complete three challenges. Example of a gargoyle hanging criminals (by means of an inverted take down) or by using your explosives. If you do this you earn points on the natural world leaderboards appear. There are sixteen Challenges to unlock during the Story mode. If you have found enough Riddler Trophies unlock your Character biographies of Character Trophies. The biographies can be read and 3D Character Trophies are just the characters that you can see below (Harley Quinn has a very sexy package to ...).
We almost forget one important aspect in the game: the Detective Mode. When this mode is activated, with a Batman type X-ray view of the world bad guys easily (through walls) in one spot and see if a particular instant wall weak enough to blow. You know this only too well the many trailers and wonder whether you throughout the game by this view will not only play, but falling into giant. Sometimes you into the game follow a certain track, the time of the CSI game, but this is purely for atmosphere and is not profound All in all a very useful tool for the friend who bats dierendag extra bats in the sun sets.
Batman has a lot in terms of extras to offer. It is deep, interesting and fun to explore them all. The basic gameplay is nice, but interesting enough to the many hours to maintain. . You do the long game, even once an asset, but there is people backtracking in the game. Only every time, when you enter a certain place, it is totally different. Some characters make for a very pleasant change and the story is fascinating rete. Graphics are impressive. The Unreal Engine is very good use of animations and Batman are also high (ragdolls never get weird poses). . His cape flies great the whole game and certainly at times when we may float a bit, this is very cool. The game provides a very good feeling Batman and The Joker is super well reflected in the game. People who swear by Heath Ledger, The Joker also does justice to his role.
What can we say? There is much in the game is good it really is a super game. It has become a sleeper hit that nobody saw coming. The AI is good, the battles are not as boring as Assassin's Creed and working with as you take down a criminal, the other does not really wait. The many unlockables are fun to find, the environments are amazing (but wait until you come to the Penitentiary!), The recorded voices are great and the characters are fantastic shape. Anyone slightly familiar with the comics here will have a feast.Gamers who are not fans of Batman will also be pure enjoyment from the game can get. The game offers a lot and is a good warmup for the grand Assassin's Creed 2, because it is more modern. We can only recommend everyone to go get this game directly to the local game farm, because everything is just entertaining in this game!
- Extra's fascinatin
- Good story.
- Nice graphics.
- No Robin in the game.
- Play nice.
- Gadgets are bold.
- Great atmosphere
- Overtakes his bosses.
- Riddler maps are very easy quest.
- Battles are slightly monotonous.
Sunday, July 02, 2000
Playstation 3 - Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time
Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack In Time is a great conclusion to the series, but the beautiful part about it is that you can play it without having played any of the other games before it. When you first pop in the disc you're greeted with a short movie that explains all of the events leading up to this game. Once that's over, you're up to speed and ready to roll.
The story is quite interesting, it's loaded with laugh-out-loud humor, and the characters are voiced to perfection. This rivals any of the Hollywood CGI movies that have come out in recent memory in terms of animation, story, humor, and the acting performances.
The game is loaded with variety. As Ratchet, you'll be flying around in your spaceship, in kind of an open-world setting, where you can visit various planets and moons in each space sector and accomplish side-tasks. The moons are spherical and come in two really fun varieties: platforming segments which will you remind you of Super Mario Galaxy, and shooting segments which will you remind you of Super Stardust HD. The planets are where the story actually takes place and you will explore much larger environments and meet new characters. In space, you can get into dog-fights with Dr. Nefarious' minion space-ship fighters, or you can meet up with various other space-travelers and help them with their requests. Your ship is upgradable, you just have to find little creatures called Zoni. There are 40 of them hidden throughout the game's universe, many of them are found by completing the optional moons. While roving around in your ship, there are also 4 fictitious radio stations to choose from. They all feature wonderful music of different varieties for different tastes, and DJs that will make you laugh out loud with their banter.
The weapons are ingeniously conceived, and you'll find yourself laughing when you see what some of them do. Humor is a big part of this game. But it's not all about humor. There is some serious gameplay here, too. Fun platforming, creative puzzles, RPG-like systems where your character levels up as he gains experience, granting him more hit points, and all of your weapons level-up with use, as well. Also, the weapons can be upgraded with parts that you find hidden around the universe, and some of the weapons can even be custom-painted.
Some of the best gameplay in this package comes from Clank and the new time-based puzzles. There will time-pads placed around the Clock at the Center of the Universe (the area that Clank traverses throughout the game), and you can record yourself doing things on these time-pads, then play back the action simultaneously while doing something else with your present self. In other words, you can set up recordings of past-selves to help your present-self accomplish tasks that would otherwise be impossible alone. The mechanics may remind you of a game called Braid. It's all very-well implements and often ingenious, always fun.
The game itself is rather easy to get through on the lower difficulties, it will be appropriate for children and adults alike who may not have much experience gaming. You'll get to see the whole game without much difficulty. But there are also Normal and Hard difficulties, which amp up the challenge, and seasoned gamers will find them more than sufficient to give them a fun time that's not too easy or too frustrating. This game is perfect for all-ages, it's appropriate for kids as well as adults, and I recommend it highly!
The story is quite interesting, it's loaded with laugh-out-loud humor, and the characters are voiced to perfection. This rivals any of the Hollywood CGI movies that have come out in recent memory in terms of animation, story, humor, and the acting performances.
The game is loaded with variety. As Ratchet, you'll be flying around in your spaceship, in kind of an open-world setting, where you can visit various planets and moons in each space sector and accomplish side-tasks. The moons are spherical and come in two really fun varieties: platforming segments which will you remind you of Super Mario Galaxy, and shooting segments which will you remind you of Super Stardust HD. The planets are where the story actually takes place and you will explore much larger environments and meet new characters. In space, you can get into dog-fights with Dr. Nefarious' minion space-ship fighters, or you can meet up with various other space-travelers and help them with their requests. Your ship is upgradable, you just have to find little creatures called Zoni. There are 40 of them hidden throughout the game's universe, many of them are found by completing the optional moons. While roving around in your ship, there are also 4 fictitious radio stations to choose from. They all feature wonderful music of different varieties for different tastes, and DJs that will make you laugh out loud with their banter.
The weapons are ingeniously conceived, and you'll find yourself laughing when you see what some of them do. Humor is a big part of this game. But it's not all about humor. There is some serious gameplay here, too. Fun platforming, creative puzzles, RPG-like systems where your character levels up as he gains experience, granting him more hit points, and all of your weapons level-up with use, as well. Also, the weapons can be upgraded with parts that you find hidden around the universe, and some of the weapons can even be custom-painted.
Some of the best gameplay in this package comes from Clank and the new time-based puzzles. There will time-pads placed around the Clock at the Center of the Universe (the area that Clank traverses throughout the game), and you can record yourself doing things on these time-pads, then play back the action simultaneously while doing something else with your present self. In other words, you can set up recordings of past-selves to help your present-self accomplish tasks that would otherwise be impossible alone. The mechanics may remind you of a game called Braid. It's all very-well implements and often ingenious, always fun.
The game itself is rather easy to get through on the lower difficulties, it will be appropriate for children and adults alike who may not have much experience gaming. You'll get to see the whole game without much difficulty. But there are also Normal and Hard difficulties, which amp up the challenge, and seasoned gamers will find them more than sufficient to give them a fun time that's not too easy or too frustrating. This game is perfect for all-ages, it's appropriate for kids as well as adults, and I recommend it highly!
Saturday, July 01, 2000
Playstation 3 - Uncharted 2 - Amongst Thieves
I don't quite know how to describe how great this game really is...I just sat down for 15 hours straight and couldn't put the controller down until the end of the credits. This game combines everything and anything you could ever want in a movie, a game or any entertainment experience. Uncharted 2 has incredible characters, wonderful story, some of the best acting I've ever seen (Not just the voice acting, but the actual animations of the characters, their facial expressions), everything is done so beautifully I'm absolutely speechless. Among Thieves exceeded the hype in my mind, it immerses you in this incredibly detailed and lush environment, seamlessly bouncing you back and forth from gameplay to breathtaking cinematic wonder, and most often, combines them both at the same time. Just the attention to detail is astounding. I wish I had a better vocabulary so I could give this review justice but you should just see for yourself! You will not regret this purchase one bit, the multiplayer is even fun! If you own a PS3 and don't have this game, then you should sell your PS3.
Tuesday, June 20, 2000
Super Mario 3D Land - 9.5
I'll begin by saying that this game has exceeded my expectations. Upon
watching online videos, I figured this would be a watered-down Mario
Galaxy title, but boy, was I wrong! The videos DO NOT do the game
justice. I didn't think Nintendo would have been able to do it, but this
is by far the first Mario game in a long time that has retained the
uniqueness and charm of the series as I remember it on the NES. New
Super Mario Bros. Wii came really close, but Super Mario 3D Land does it
for me.
~ First, the power-ups:
The Tanooki suit's revival in this game is genius. You can hover with Mario's tail for a while and tail-strike enemies just as you can in Super Mario Bros. 3. I'm a little bummed you can't actually fly this time around, but I'm guessing it wouldn't have worked as well in this title anyway. Fire Mario feels great, too. I haven't played far enough into the game to obtain the Boomerang Bros. suit or Statue suit, but I'm sure they will be awesome too based on what I've seen thus far.
~ Second, the levels:
While at first I thought the levels in this game seemed vacuous and dull and too similar to the levels in the Galaxy series based on online videos I've seen, my first hands-on experience with this game proved my initial thoughts to be WAY incorrect. The level designs are brilliant. The designers have packed so many obstacles, enemies, warp pipes, music note blocks, and hidden areas into the levels that the game stays exciting throughout. Also, the levels are not too long since you are timed. Thus, you can get through a level in a few minutes, but if you need more time there are stopwatches you can collect along the way to add valuable seconds to your overall time limit for the level. These come in handy if you want to do some exploring for the three hidden coins in each level. If you're like me and occasionally grow tired of some of the longer levels from Galaxy, then you'll be happy with the quickness yet depth of the levels in 3D Land. The levels look AND feel like actual Mario levels in their design. To top it all off, you'll recognize remakes of some classic Super Mario Bros. 3 tunes, as well!
~ Third, the controls:
Mario's signature moves are back: crouch, backflip, long jump, side somersault, wall jump, and ground pound. There is also a new move - the roll - in which Mario can roll forward from the crouching position. The only move that hasn't been brought back is the triple jump, but I don't feel as though it would've been useful in this style of Mario game anyway. The moves are easy to execute with the layout of the 3DS's thumbstick and buttons. Furthermore, controlling Mario feels completely natural. For instance, running with Y and tail-striking enemies along the way is both easy and fun to do! As I mentioned earlier, the Tanooki suit's signature moves are back, too, such as hovering and tail-striking, both of which feel great.
~ Fourth, the graphics and the 3D:
The graphics in this game are on par with, if not better than, the graphics in the Galaxy series. Mario, the enemies, and the levels all look stunning. The 3D effect in the game looks stunning, too, and it's awesome to see Mario in full 3D for the first time. The 3D also helps with depth perception, and, as anyone can guess, the ability to see in 3D certainly comes in handy for a platforming title such as Mario in which you have to make perfectly executed jumps. Also, in addition to the 3D slider bar, you can also control the 3D effect by choosing from two 3D options while playing that will provide either a shallower or deeper depth of field, so the 3D is more customizable in this 3DS game than in any other.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you don't own a 3DS yet but want one, then this is the time to get it. Super Mario 3D Land, maybe aside from Zelda: OoT or Star Fox 64 (both of which are remakes, anyway), is the best original game on the 3DS, hands-down, and it combines everything gamers adore from Super Mario Bros 1 and 3, and Super Mario 64. From the controls to the level design, every aspect of this game retains the fun and charm of the original NES Mario titles that I remember so fondly but have not seen in any Mario title in recent years.
~ First, the power-ups:
The Tanooki suit's revival in this game is genius. You can hover with Mario's tail for a while and tail-strike enemies just as you can in Super Mario Bros. 3. I'm a little bummed you can't actually fly this time around, but I'm guessing it wouldn't have worked as well in this title anyway. Fire Mario feels great, too. I haven't played far enough into the game to obtain the Boomerang Bros. suit or Statue suit, but I'm sure they will be awesome too based on what I've seen thus far.
~ Second, the levels:
While at first I thought the levels in this game seemed vacuous and dull and too similar to the levels in the Galaxy series based on online videos I've seen, my first hands-on experience with this game proved my initial thoughts to be WAY incorrect. The level designs are brilliant. The designers have packed so many obstacles, enemies, warp pipes, music note blocks, and hidden areas into the levels that the game stays exciting throughout. Also, the levels are not too long since you are timed. Thus, you can get through a level in a few minutes, but if you need more time there are stopwatches you can collect along the way to add valuable seconds to your overall time limit for the level. These come in handy if you want to do some exploring for the three hidden coins in each level. If you're like me and occasionally grow tired of some of the longer levels from Galaxy, then you'll be happy with the quickness yet depth of the levels in 3D Land. The levels look AND feel like actual Mario levels in their design. To top it all off, you'll recognize remakes of some classic Super Mario Bros. 3 tunes, as well!
~ Third, the controls:
Mario's signature moves are back: crouch, backflip, long jump, side somersault, wall jump, and ground pound. There is also a new move - the roll - in which Mario can roll forward from the crouching position. The only move that hasn't been brought back is the triple jump, but I don't feel as though it would've been useful in this style of Mario game anyway. The moves are easy to execute with the layout of the 3DS's thumbstick and buttons. Furthermore, controlling Mario feels completely natural. For instance, running with Y and tail-striking enemies along the way is both easy and fun to do! As I mentioned earlier, the Tanooki suit's signature moves are back, too, such as hovering and tail-striking, both of which feel great.
~ Fourth, the graphics and the 3D:
The graphics in this game are on par with, if not better than, the graphics in the Galaxy series. Mario, the enemies, and the levels all look stunning. The 3D effect in the game looks stunning, too, and it's awesome to see Mario in full 3D for the first time. The 3D also helps with depth perception, and, as anyone can guess, the ability to see in 3D certainly comes in handy for a platforming title such as Mario in which you have to make perfectly executed jumps. Also, in addition to the 3D slider bar, you can also control the 3D effect by choosing from two 3D options while playing that will provide either a shallower or deeper depth of field, so the 3D is more customizable in this 3DS game than in any other.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you don't own a 3DS yet but want one, then this is the time to get it. Super Mario 3D Land, maybe aside from Zelda: OoT or Star Fox 64 (both of which are remakes, anyway), is the best original game on the 3DS, hands-down, and it combines everything gamers adore from Super Mario Bros 1 and 3, and Super Mario 64. From the controls to the level design, every aspect of this game retains the fun and charm of the original NES Mario titles that I remember so fondly but have not seen in any Mario title in recent years.
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