Tetris Axis Announced For 3DS

Tetris has been pretty good to Nintendo over the past couple of years. Plenty of new games with online play for all of their current systems. Now it seems the 3DS is getting a Tetris as well. Tetris Axis will feature the usual stuff the other games have enjoyed such as classic mode and online play, but it will also have special 3D modes. 

Sounds good to me, I really liked the extra modes in Tetris DS.

Things I Like: Yoshi's Island DS

This was a really surprise sequel Nintendo came up with. Yoshi's Story was a failure and a joke of a game. This however wasn't bad at all. 

Unlike Yoshi's Story, this is more like the original game on SNES. 

Except that Yoshi can also work with other Baby characters such as Donkey Kong or Peach. Each one having a different power like super-sprint or hanging on vines. 

Even though it's not nearly as awesome as the first game, it's an acceptable apology after the Yoshi's Story disgrace. 

My Top Ten Mario Spin-Offs #3: Mario Kart DS

I waited a long time for this game to come out. Not only was it a decent time gap since Double Dash, but it was a killer-app for the Nintendo DS not only as one of the first awesome games, but the first to really take advantage of online play through Nintendo Wi-Fi connection. 

Granted online play was slow to connect, but I had a lot of fun after the game was set-up. Then snakers cheated in every match a few months after the game came out, and it was no longer fun to play over the net. 

I guess it's not that big of a loss. It has plenty to chew on in single-player, and offline multi-player. Even if everyone doesn't own a copy they can still play in some limited modes and tracks. Such an awesome game, one of the best Mario Karts to come out in recent years. 

My Top Ten Mario Spin-offs #9: Super Princess Peach

Granted the cover probably pushed a lot of Mario fans away, because it is a bit too girly. Not exactly what a teenager buys in a Gamestop now is it? I doubt sales were good for it. 

Such a great concept though. Mario and Luigi have been captured (Was Bowser stupid enough not to kill them?), and it's up to Princess Peach to save them in one of the biggest role reversals ever. Now Mario owes her a cake. 

The game plays a lot like the American version of Super Mario Bros. 2 on NES. Except with some super emotion powers and you can only play as Peach. Unlike SMB2, I actually enjoyed playing Super Princess Peach.

It's a fairly decent adventure, the only thing that might kill it is the Toad fetch quest. If you don't find all the Toads (and you can always go back to each stage) then you won't be able to face the final boss. Not too hard with a walk-through guide. It may be crap in comparison to other great Mario platformers, but I wouldn't mind playing a 3DS sequel. 

Things I Like: Pac n' Roll

I bought this one a few years back in a bargain bin at Best Buy I believe. Back when the DS wasn't exactly overflowing with top quality games. 

Pac n' Roll is a decent game in it's own right. You guide little Pacman in game similar to Super Monkey Ball or Marble Madness. Just with Pacman as a little ball you control with your stylus. 

The difficulty does get pretty brutal later on, and the controls can get a bit touchy at times. Not the greatest in the world by any means, but a decent pick for a Pacman fan. 

Nintendo Downloads for August 11th 2011

My Asian Farm for DSiware

Kyotokei for Wiiware

Go! Go! Kokopolo for DSiware

Crazy Hamster for DSiware

Avenging Spirit for 3DS's E-shop. 

Super Adventure Island II for Virtual Console. 

My Top Five Mario Platformers #5: Super Mario 64

Super Mario 64 was the big daddy for the Nintendo 64 especially during the early days of the system. 

Some video games series had a lot of trouble transferring over to the land of 3D. However I think most of them took notes from Super Mario 64. It wasn't just the 2D games with polygons. It was the same concept plus more freedom, a lot of creativity, and a core team of designers who knew how to make a game fun. 

A fun game it was too. The paintings allowed you to jump into a world that always changed. You could go from green fields, icy mountaintops, and dry deserts. There was so much variety that you could almost feel it with your own hands. Not only that but tons of a little secrets, bonus missions, and side-quests.

Despite the crappy controls, I really liked Super Mario 64 DS a lot as well. Maybe the 3DS's nub might help this baby out to be the superior version finally. 

Nintendo Download Games for the August 4th

Mario's Picross hits 3DS e-shop

Monochrome Racing Hits Wiiware

B Team Episode 2: Ice & Venom for DSiware

Play & Learn Spanish for DSiware

And Go Fetch! 2 for DSiware.

Things I Like: Okami

I know it was "better" on PS2, but I still got it for Wii anyway. 

The Wii version has it's fair share of problems, so if you have to choose go for the original edition. 

The main fault lies within the magic brush. It's just not very accurate on the Wii due to lackluster porting issues. I wish they had built it from the ground up on Wii instead of getting another company to make a rushed version of it. 

Gripes aside, I really enjoyed the hell out of Okami. The art style was sick, the plot engrossing, the characters were lovable, and the quest was as long as it was epic. 

Even though it does recycle bosses and areas a little bit, I really enjoyed every bit of Okami. I really need to pick up Okamiden on DS. 

Things I Hate: Electroplankton

It was sold only on like Amazon.com for a short time. I was suckered into it, mainly for the hope that the game's value would skyrocket in later years. 

The style and presentation is done very top-notch. It's basically is a musical toy.  

Yep several different musical toys. Since I suck ass at music (especially creation), and there's nothing more to enjoy; I was left rather bored with my purchase. Good thing I sold it for only 5 dollars less than what I bought it for. 

Nintendo Download for Jun 6th 2011

DSiWare

GO Series Picdun
Publisher: Gamebridge
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: PICture DUNgeon is a unique action RPG. As you explore the dungeon, every step you take will fill in the blanks of a hidden picture. Use your head to solve puzzles that unveil hidden passages, and use your pedometer to help find every step that will reveal the hidden images. Attack and counter with your sword and shield, charging up attacks to unleash killer blows. Upgrade your weapons and equipment and fight through hordes of creatures as you go deeper into the dungeon. Each of the 60 floors has a picture to unlock, each one more detailed than the last. Picdun will keep you playing for a very long time.

Dreamwalker
Publisher: Code Mystics Inc.
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Meet Walker. Walker is wandering the land of dreams, following his sleepy path among the clouds and stars. Guide him peacefully through Dreamland to Sunrise without him waking up. But be careful: Walker faces many challenges to a good night's sleep. Alarm Clocks, Early Birds and Night Mares thwart your efforts. Dreamwalker is an action-puzzler in which you control the maze, shepherding Walker safely to his goal while counting sheep and avoiding sleep-disturbing hazards. Collect Reward Stars for clever solutions that complete the puzzle in minimal time or actions. Enjoy 40 levels of evolving challenges that introduce fresh puzzle features such as disappearing rainclouds, disorienting spinners and teleporters. Dreamwalker offers hours of game play, two bonus games and a rich soundtrack. Appealing to casual and core gamers alike, it's fun for all ages.

Crazy Cheebo: Puzzle Party
Publisher: Cypronia
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Comic Mischief
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Crazy Cheebo: Puzzle Party is a drag-and-drop-style matching game that casual gamers will enjoy. The objective is to switch two objects to make a horizontal or vertical set of three or more objects of the same color. Players can win various awards by matching more objects and creating combos. The game contains colorful graphics, a Crazy Cheebo character and lots of humorous videos. You can have even more fun when you compete against your friends in multiplayer games.

WiiWare

Ubongo
Publisher: Korner Entertainment
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Language
Price: 800 Wii Points™
Description: What's Ubongo? Its mechanics are very simple. Just solve as many puzzles as you can and get gems of the same color. At the end of the established time, the player who has the most gems of any one color will be the winner. Modes include History Mode, Quick Game, Time Attack and Multiplayer Mode. The original board game is a blockbuster in many countries. 

DS Lite Price Drops to $99

Still too high. I wish it was $50 so my girlfriend can use my spare DS. 

Nintendo Download for May 30th 2011

WiiWare™

FAST – Racing League

Publisher: Shin'en Multimedia

Players: 1-4

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Price: 1,000 Wii Points™

Description: In the year 2112, the masses are fascinated by extreme high-speed races. The latest antigravity racing technology introduced phase-shifting. Perfectly phase-matching tracks and racing machines is the key to survival. Prepare yourself for a whole new racing experience at breakneck speeds. Push your skills to the limit to win races and beat records. Challenge your friends to an all-out split-screen competition. Compete against ruthless opponents and race to the top of all leagues. Warm up your engines – the future is now.

BIT.TRIP VOID (demo version)
Publisher: Aksys Games
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 0 Wii Points; full version available for 600 Wii Points
Description: BIT.TRIP VOID is the third installment in the retro-arcade BIT.TRIP saga.BIT.TRIP VOID is a synesthetic exploration of rhythm and music as they pertain to our everyday lives and moods. In a control scheme that's new to the series yet wholly familiar to gamers, players are given complete freedom to move about the screen wherever they desire and interact with the music in new ways. The classic game-play aesthetic remains – color and the absence of color are explored to the fullest. Trip out in four-player co-op and get lost in the beat with a friend. See if you can survive the onslaught of Beats and further your own BIT.TRIP.

Virtual Console™

Super Adventure Island
Original platform: SNES
Publisher: Hudson Entertainment
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Cartoon Violence
Price: 800 Wii Points
Description: Adventure Island is a mysterious and beautiful land that has many hidden dangers. The hero of the island, Master Higgins, protects its inhabitants from many deadly creatures. He has restored peace to the uncharted island on many occasions. But something terrible has happened. While Master Higgins and Jeanie Jungle were stargazing, a dangerous entity known only as Dark Cloak turned Jeanie to stone. Master Higgins must venture toward Dark Cloak's castle at the foot of Ice Mountain to rescue her.

House M.D. - Globetrotting
Publisher: Legacy Interactive
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T (Teen) – Drug Reference, Sexual Themes
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: Whenever a patient is dying and no one can find any answers, the elite Diagnostic Medicine department at Princeton-Plainsboro Hospital must follow all leads to uncover the truth. Patients and family members lie to protect their own peculiar secrets, and the most unlikely clues sometimes can lead to answers. Dr. Gregory House and his team race to unravel a new medical mystery. An aging TV host seems to care less about his own health than his fame and reputation. Track down the correct diagnosis by interviewing and examining the patient, running lab tests and even performing surgery. Every piece of evidence reveals part of the solution, so careful observation and analysis are key. The clock is ticking – be prepared for multiple twists and turns as you solve the case.

B Team - Episode 1: Dust & Steel
Publisher: Subdued Software
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Use of Tobacco, Violence
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: B Team - Episode 1: Dust & Steel is a humorous, action-packed squad-based shooter in which players control a small private army whose soldiers were hired from all over the world. Lead your platoon through an onslaught of commandos, voodoo warriors, dangerous guerillas… and that's just the beginning. When the action gets too intense to manage on your own, hook up with a friend in multiplayer mode to battle your way through the bullets. While intense action is the game's chief focus, its multiple weapons, upgradeable equipment and destructible environment further enrich the experience.

Valet Parking 1989
Publisher: Zordix AB
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Mild Language, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Valet Parking 1989 combines fun driving with the humor and style of the late 1980s. Park and deliver cars as fast as possible in this time-management puzzle game. The setting is California, where glamorous celebrities let you park their radical sports cars and luxurious limousines. Play the movie-like story mode to unlock levels for endless play. Earn money to buy a cool car and drive it to the beach in style. Don't let the VIP guests wait any longer. Put on your vest and push the pedal to the metal.