Overlooked DSiware games you should get now the 3DS has the eShop.

If you're like me, you probably bought a DSi at launch. If you're also like me, you probably thought DSiware was gonna be big. Now that the 3DS can pretty much buy and run any DSiware game, some of the lesser-known titles that were launched on the service should get some recognition.

Escapee Go! - 200 points

Escapee Go! plays sort of like Pac-Man. Only you're psychic. And the game has a plot. Features multiplayer, but no download play option as far as I know. It's a good game with a nice, pixelated art style. Give it a try.


Pop Island and Pop Island: Paperfield - 500 and 200 points respectively

Pop Island is pretty much the best, cheapest multiplayer experience you're going to get from DSiware. It's essentially Capture the Flag with cute animals and vehicles. The main draw to these games is that they have DS download play with up to seven other people. Get some friends together and it becomes insanely fun!


Spotto! - 200 points

This is a small game from Intelligent Systems. It's also adorable as hell. You play as Spotto, tossing bombs into the mouths of ghosts to save the daughter of the President, Chickie Wowwow. It's better than it sounds, trust me.


BlayzBloo Super Melee Brawlers Battle Royale - 500 points

Blayzbloo got a bit of flak when it was released, since it wasn't exactly very deep. It's still a very nice Powerstone-lite, especially if you can convince your friends to get it as well. The worst thing about this game is no DS Download Play, so everyone's going to have to pony up five bucks if they want multiplayer battles. Still highly recommended if you have friends who want to get it or are a Powerstone/Blazblue fan.


Go Series: PicDun - 500 points

PicDun, standing for Picture Dungeon, is seriously unique. You have the old-school dungeon crawler game with a little twist of Picross added to it. As you explore the dungeons, you solve puzzles and complete the map of each floor. Battles are a simple affair, either slashing or thrusting your sword at opponents as you block their attacks with your shield. Highly recommend it!


Dark Void Zero - 500 points

Better than the actual Dark Void game. It's a retraux side-scroller that's sorta reminiscent of Metroid and Blaster Master. Bosses are pretty cool, but the game is tough.


Dragon Quest Wars - 500 points

Intelligent Systems. They made Advance Wars and Fire Emblem. They also made this. No DS download play option, but online multiplayer makes up for it. Plus, it's a turn-based strategy game, so there's really no point in Download Play if you can just pass the system around.


There might have been some other games I missed, but these are some of the most entertaining that I have played. I know I didn't include any WayForward games like Shantae or Cave Story, but this is a list about lesser-known games. I think.

OC Remix Captures MissingNo.

The people over at OverClocked Remix are at it again, timing their newest album appropriately. They encourage you to 'download them all' with Pokemon: "The Missingno Tracks". This new album features music from all four generations of Pokemon games, remixed and remastered for Pokemaniacs of all ages.



You can find artist bios, director's notes, and information about the project here. Of course, you can find the download link there as well or if you prefer, you can torrent it. Find that at the link as well.

The album contains 28 tracks of awesomeness. Examples of borrowed tracks include the road to viridian city, the battle theme, Jigglypuff's song, and much MUCH more. Take a break from playing Pokemon Black/White,... just one quick break... and download this album now!

When you're done, go back to playing Pokemon Black/White, and I hope to God you were smart and picked Oshawott. Otters forever.

Oshawott

"Oshan"

Wallpaper Wednesday: A Puppy, a Demon, and a Ghost walk into a bar...

Welcome to Wallpaper Wednesday! The place where I showcase various gaming wallpapers.

Now, maybe I'm just feeling guilty it's nearly thursday, or maybe I just am feeling generous but I have multiple tonight, a bonus if you will. They wont ALWAYS be Nintendo-related but I haven't come across much that wasn't Nintendo that I liked.

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Okamiden

This one I just found nice in its simplicity and cuteness, based on the upcoming game I believe.

Okamiden Download

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Majora's Self

This was a different kind of Majora's Mask wall than I'm used to seeing. Spoiler alert though... (come on now, it's been 11 years).

Majora's Self Download

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Haunting Haunter

This one is just plain creepy in an awesome way.

Haunting Haunter Download

Hope this'll last you!

Review: Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!

This DS game was given to me by one of my friends for my birthday. I wasn't really expecting it, but it was a nice change to have a puzzle game in the line up of games that I have been playing. So is this game worth getting as a present for Christmas? (Or your birthday, if it's near Christmas like mine.) Well, let's find out...

First of all, the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series arised from reviving the type of gameplay found in the original 'Donkey Kong' game for the Game Boy... but... you won't find any of that here. In fact... the main point of the game has changed throughout the spin-off franchise. The goal now is to guide Mini-Mario toys to the exits of the levels while changing the environment around them. In the original Mario vs. Donkey Kong, this was more of a mini-game, bonus level thing (I can't quite remember, it's been forever since I've played) but now, guiding the Mini-Marios has stayed the main objective throughout the rest of the series.

I suppose Mario is too busy fighting Bowser all the time to fight Donkey Kong, so he just let's his Mini-Mario toys do the work for him. I mean, Bowser wants to rule the universe in the Galaxy games, what's more threatening than that? The only real threat Donkey Kong holds is kidnapping Pauline, the original dame in the very first game Mario had starred in: Donkey Kong. (The arcade Donkey Kong, not to be confused with the Donkey Kong on Game Boy which is a completely different game.)

Enough about the history of the series and why Mario isn't just fighting Donkey Kong himself, let's talk gameplay. Like I said, the goal of the game is to get all the Mini-Marios to the exit of a level by manipulating and placing objects in the environment. Each world will introduce a new type of object or manipulation, and it does stack the skills throughout each world, so you must remember all of the objects that you can use. You don't start the level until you turn on the Mini-Marios, but once you do, get ready to move fast so you don't make a mistake. I found that the levels are never too hard or tedious, and the game rewards you when you collect everything in a level by unlocking more levels in a special world.

It doesn't take long to beat the main game, but after that, you've just started. There's more levels that you can unlock and you are able to create your own levels and share them online. I tried out the level creator and it is very easy to use. I only messed around with it for a little while, but my creative spark may turn on again someday and try making some levels. I also downloaded a few levels that are publically shared online from other people. Some of them that are highly rated are kind of strange... I don't mean strange as in interesting, I mean strange as in, "Why are these rated so high?" Granted, there are some that people have made that are very challenging.

The Verdict:

This game tests your puzzle and reflex skills without forcing the player to think too hard. There is a lot of content to play and unlock and with the level creator and downloadable levels, like I said with my Picross 3D review, there's virtually limitless content for this type of game. I can definitely see myself playing it more in the near future.

What I Liked:

-Virtually limitless content
-Puzzles aren't too hard while they still remain challenging

What I Didn't Like:

-I sort of miss the original Mario vs. Donkey Kong gameplay, but this is more of a gripe with the series in general, so pay no attention to this if you just want a good puzzle game.

Second Opinion: DrFinkelstein
I received this game for Christmas and have just beaten the main worlds. I found this game fantastically fun, the right kind of challenging, and graphically pleasant. A few times I did end up getting very frustrated and mad, though that was typically while striving for a perfect with the boss battles. If you are a fan of puzzle games, and especially games involving Mario, then pick this up right away. It's what the DS was made for and it's pretty much flawless.

First Impressions: Golden Sun Dark Dawn

I know I'm in the middle of another RPG right now with Chrono Trigger, and I've had Donkey Kong Country Returns eating up my time, but I just wanted to throw in some initial impressions of Golden Sun: Dark Dawn. I picked up my copy today from Gamestop and I've booted up my DS. I'll write a full review down the line once I've played it a greater deal but I just wanted to show my love of the game as it first dished it out to me.


The box art for the game is pretty nice, showing off the various Djinn and our lead Matthew. In white are the different summons found in the game. The art is successful, at least in making this season Golden Sun veteran to want the game. Though, when I booted up the game. That title screen... so simple and yet what makes it amazing is that familiar sound. The theme to Golden Sun. What an amazing piece. I've fallen in love with it all over again.

It's been a while since I've played the originals so the recap in the beginning was nice. It actually clarified something with me too. The premise of this game is that thirty years have passed since the original eight had saved the land of Weyward. The 3D graphics, at least from the beginning from the game, look pretty good. Some textures are muddy but already there's a lot of animation and detail not seen in previous titles. Still, it's great seeing Isaac and Garet again. Garet even has a mustache!

When I was able to finally move about, the graphics looked even nicer. This is a semi-cel-shaded appeal to it. I found my first herb and encountered my first "emoticon event". These don't do anything to alter the storyline from what I read in previous articles about the game but it's still fun to have some kind of input. Considering Matthew seems to be taking the place of Isaac as the 'silent protagonist' in this game, that is a nice little addition.

There is a lot of narrative right off the bat, though in true Golden Sun fashion I expect that not to change. Still though, with the production values in the music and the in-game cut-scenes of sorts, it feels so far kind of like a movie. It's rather engrossing and for that I am delighted as opposed to turned off. After a little problem with Garet's son "Tyrell" I was able to move freely again inside Matthew's house. I discovered a book called the Sun Saga 1. It turns out it was a bit of a backstory through still-image cutscenes. It seemed hidden almost and kind of a neat little find. Everything about this game screams 'warm fuzzies'.

The battles look really nice so far. I can only imagine the possibilities as I learn more moves, more psynergy, gain djinn, and unleash hell on some baddies. I know I was a Golden Sun fan since its inception, but so far this feels like a great homecoming.

Review: Picross 3D

Hm, it's been about three weeks since the first review on the site, so I thought I would go ahead and make another. The reviews may be scattered like this until we get more editors.

Well, here is my opinion on Picross 3D. Now, I didn't actually 'complete' the game. As in, doing every single puzzle, but I just about have. I figured I would write a review while I'm still into the game rather than after I've finished it and forgotten about it.


I bought this back when it came out in May so I could have a new game to play on the plane ride to my vacation to San Diego. I feel like I made the right choice because the puzzles lasted me a lot longer than I thought they would. I've been playing the game off and on since then, and it's always good to get my thoughts flowing after a hard puzzle.

I never played the original Picross DS, but I have played an online version of Picross called HeroGlyphix, and I recommend anyone to go play it on that site! The original Picross deals with a square of a certain size and amount of squares inside of it. There are numbers on the edges of each row and column to give you clues as to what squares are part of the image you're trying to uncover. Picross 3D is basically the same concept, but with an added dimension, depth, and instead of just having numbers on the rows and columns, there are hints on every face of the cube or rectangular prism that you are working on.

In pretty much every case, I was able to figure out the puzzles by using logic techniques the game taught me in the beginning levels. There are some however, that have me scratching my head and force me to guess. I'm not sure if I just ran out of logic to go on, or I'm just not seeing the clue that's so obvious to someone else. I have gone back to puzzles that have given me trouble before to get a better star rating on them to unlock more puzzles, and I think to myself, 'Why did I have trouble with this?'

The difficulty curve in the game is quite balanced. There is never a time that I thought a puzzle that I was on was too hard for the level. There's also the shear amount of puzzles that makes this game last so long. You can also create your own puzzles and not only that, the game allows you to download more from either the official source or from your friends.


The Verdict:
Overall, the game's amount of content and the very smooth difficulty curve allows me to recommend Picross 3D to everyone.

What I liked:

• Amount of content
• Balanced difficulty
• Virtually limitless replayability

What I didn't like:

• Some puzzles go over my head, and I have to guess