Age rating:

3+ (PEGI)

What is it?

A Mario game - 3D-platformer.

Is it fun?

Yes.

Is it worth the money? £29.99

Yes.

Why?

I’ve always been rather indifferent when it comes to Mario games until I played Super Mario 64, which was brilliant. Unfortunately the GameCube’s Mario extravaganza (Super Mario Sunshine) was well, total poo to be honest. However, I’m pleased to say that Super Mario Galaxy tops even the great Mario 64 for sheer enjoyment. I can’t even complain of the total lack of imagination shown by Nintendo when it churns out the same games for each generation of Nintendo console when this incarnation of Mario is just so much fun.

The graphics look great (by Wii standards) and complement the game wonderfully. Sure there are some iffy looking textures and a few jaggies, but I didn’t care as the whole game is amazing. The sound is a perfect mix of chirpyness and classic Mario sounds and themes. It also has a brilliant, brilliant music track for the Battlerock galaxy that I challenge anyone to play this galaxy and not have a giant smile on their face.

I loved the whole playfulness of Mario’s new galaxy environment. Flying, flipping, gliding, jumping and catapulting between all the planets on each of the levels is just awesome. The attention to detail that the designers have lavished on every planet, however small is a joy to behold. I loved the way that seemingly simple puzzles were brought to life by splitting them over lots of mini planets and great use of the Wii controller. This is probably the first game after Wii Sports where the control method just feels right. From rolling around on top a giant ball, to flying through the air as a little bumble bee, the Wiimote and nunchuk make controlling Mario something to be enjoyed.

Bad points. Well, swimming underwater takes a bit of getting used to. The camera has a habit of choosing the worst time to change its viewpoint, which usually happens when you’re negotiating a really nasty sequence of platforms.

It took me just over 14 hours to get to the end of the game and finally beat Bowser, but that still leaves me with another 55 power stars to collect. Then I’ll have finally completed the game. So Lordy knows how long that’s going to take with some fiendish and very dexterous puzzles lying in wait.

In summary:

A wonderful game in every way. Mario is the easily the best game on the Wii.

Screenshots:

Popularity: 13% [?]

Age Rating:

7+ (PEGI)

What is it?

A platformer starring Daxter a wise cracking orange ottsel.

Is it fun?

Yep.

Is it worth the money?

Yes, and since its been out for a while you can pick it up cheapy-cheap second hand (e.g. £14 from Computer Exchange)

Why?

In a nut shell, it’s fun, looks totally stunning, is well scripted and has lots of variety between levels. By variety I’m referring to the difference in graphics, layout and game play between levels. Interested? Well, let me tell you a little bit more…. Continue Reading

Popularity: 13% [?]

Age rating: 7+ (PEGI)

What is it?
Update of the “classic” side-scrolling, platformer starring Arthur the Knight.

Is it fun?
No. Annoying and frustrating, yes.

Is it worth the money? £24.99
No.

Why?
To be honest I never really liked the original Ghosts n’ Goblins game when it was released in the arcades during the mid-80s. It was an incredibly difficult and unforgiving game, which although was the norm at the time (e.g. R-Type or Gauntlet), Ghost n’ Goblins made it as hard as possible for the player. Heck, you even had to the complete the game twice in the same go to see the real ending! This resulted in most of the game remaining hidden to all but the most obsessive player. That’s me out then.

Until now that is, or that’s what all the reviews of this all singing, all dancing PSP version would lead you to believe. Rubbish. Yes, they have made the game slightly easier (you have more lives and your armour lasts a lot longer) but it is still bloody hard. Annoyingly hard, just like the original. Mmm, great. Well at least you can complete level 1 now. Woohoo.

There are so many ways to die and so many monsters to help you die that eventually I just get bored by the whole thing. I didn’t enjoy playing this game, instead I battled through it and for me that’s not my idea of having fun. The only good point of this game is its shortness so the whole painful experience of playing is over quickly.

Sure the graphics are impressive, even rivalling Killzone Liberation for the prettiest PSP graphics title, but all this graphical gloss can’t hide what is a basic and unappealing game. Avoid.

Screenshots:

Popularity: 15% [?]

Age Rating: 3+

What is it?

Lego Star Wars 2 - the original Star Wars trilogy, enacted with Lego people.

Is it fun?

Yes, if you intend to play most of it with other people. Otherwise, no.

Is it worth the money? £29.99

Yes.

Why?

It’s cute. It’s as adorable, quirky and funny as the original game. Travellers Tales have created all the little filler bits that you don’t see in the films and stamped each one with their own brand of humour. It’s a delight to explore the levels and find all the little hidden sections.

BUT…

Not by yourself. Continue Reading

Popularity: 14% [?]