May 2009 Archives

I am foaming at the mouth in anticipation of the release of this game. The demo is out and rather cutely it lets you re-enact Ricky v Pacman.

Can you change the outcome?

Ladies and Gentleman - how good does this game look?

Oxygen Games

This game is so rich in authenticity and endorsement you can almost smell the stale lager and feel your feet sticking to the pub lino...

Without a shadow of a doubt this is the boldest, most realistic attempt at a darts sim so far.

Designed to perfectly compliment the mechanics of the wii the game is inventive in its approach and should be commended for that alone.

Nintendo

It says a lot about me that when I used to go to Drayton Manor as a kid I would shun the rides and go straight for the arcade.

There was a triangle of games that glinted and caught my eye; I headed straight for them every time.

First up was Paper Boy - the BMX handlebars on the console were just brilliant and the perfect tools to help you hurtle through suburbia throwing rolled up copies of The New York Post at tramps and grandmas.

It was always karate and kung-fu games on my radar when I was a wee boy.

The wonders of You Tube mean I can now easily take a wistful walk down memory lane, join me!

Kung-Fu Master

International Karate +

Full Contact

Budokan

I am off to cry nostalgic tears of joy now....

A franchise that has been revitalised over the years ad one that has come along way since the days of that ape chucking barrells down the screen...

This new offering is a version of the Game Cube game from 2005, that game was quite innovative in the sense that it used bongo controllers and had gamers pounding frantically with their palms to control kong through the levels.

This time around the controls are based around the wiimote and nunchuk and it is a massive amount of fun.

Strangely this game looks better than many 'new games' - this is after all a ported game albeit rejuvinated, refreshed and shining like the newest of new pins.

This is how fluent and polished Nintendo games should be - regardless of the format.

Action on the game is ludicrously fast-paced and subsequently leaves your wrists completely wrecked, it's frantic and exhausting.

At it's heart it is classic Nintendo platform action game oozing with cuteness, quirkiness and playability, at times the speed is almost Sonic-esque.

Colourful and engaging levels are brought to life by the new combo system and very responsive controls.

If you love Mario, Sonic, Kong and classic Nintendo this is a well-thought out catchy title with plenty of variety and appeal.

Good fun and brilliantly delivered....

Review by Skye Hillier-Milton - 10 years old

2 - 4 Players of Age 12+ (wireless DS Multicard Play)

In Final Fantasy you can choose from different characters, but Selkie is my favourite.

The basic story line is you are a character going to your coming of age ceremony (16), on the way you are taught to fight. You can fight animals of land and air, on the way you can also pick up treasure chests and bags of money.

Review by Samantha Flavell

Since the days of sitting for hours in front of the TV, watching Nickelodeon have become a somewhat distant memory, I had to rely on stories from my youngest sister to describe the wonders of Wonder Pets.

Like the title of the game suggests, Linny, Ming-Ming and Tuck spend their time saving animals from all over the world - and beyond. Whether it be baby pandas in China or chimpanzees in space, the animal trio are sure to return them home safely.

Review by Anuji Varma

IT'S hard to find a boxing game that really packs a punch.

Afterall there are so many on the market nowadays that they all seem to use the same features including sparring sessions with some of the greatest boxers that lived.

But after sampling the Wii Fit and Sport games I was expecting something that stood out from the rest especially after being developed by the fluffy-haired man himself.

So did Don do it for me?

Right, let's start with a bit of honesty - I expected this to be a bit of a duffer.

Usually niche games are a bit hit and miss and can vary in quality, a game like UFC requires a complete replication of the dynamics of the sport to create a whole new gaming experience for it to even feel close to a realistic interpretation.

Amazingly, and I was amazed this game does indeed replicate the look and feel of UFC to complete perfection.