Title: Scribblenauts
From: Warner Bros
For: Nintendo DS

It’s been a long time since a DS game has garnered as much excitement as Scribblenauts. In fact I’d be struggling to remember when I last sat down for any length of time with any DS game. But since Scribblenauts arrived I’ve burned through three full battery charges in just a few days. It’s that good, that hard to put down and so addictive it should be outlawed.

There are 2 separate modes to Scribblenauts, Puzzle and Challenge mode but realistically they’re both puzzle based. There’s no actual story to speak of in Scribblenauts, but you play as Maxwell whose sole purpose is to collect Starites (which are the goal of every level). Collecting the Starite and going about it in clever ways earns you “Ollars” with which you can buy songs, avatars and open new worlds. In each world there are 11 Puzzle levels and 11 Challenge levels which you can switch between at will. In the Puzzle levels Maxwell must complete a certain task to reveal the Starite, but in the challenge levels he must get from A to B to reach the Starite.

Now to the clever bit. You can use whatever you like to complete each level, if you can write it, you can use it. Using the stylus you write what you want to appear.

If you think you need a gun, a bat, a dog, cow, plane, car, bridge, rope, pencil, then write it down and it will appear on screen at Maxwell’s disposal. There are over 15,000 items stored so there’s a very good chance what you’re looking for is available. After many hours of playing I’ve only been denied my choice once.

There are so many possibilities in Scribblenauts and the solution to any level is only a bit of lateral thinking away. I found myself using a handful of items regularly such as a jetpack, planks, steel boxes, ropes, a chain gun and shovel, but you do get rewarded for thinking outside the square.

With over 200 levels and the ability to make your own, plus wireless multicard play, Scribblenauts will keep you entertained for a long, long time. It’s a work of genius and a definite front runner for the best game of 2009.

Score 99%

Title: Rhythm Heaven

From: Nintendo

For: Nintendo DS

For those of you who have played the excellent Wario Ware on the DS, Rhythm Heaven is going to slide right on like a well worn glove. It’s weird, quirky, simple yet challenging, incredibly addictive and downright brilliant.

Played using the touchscreen and stylus, Rhythm Heaven only uses two simple actions to control everything in the game – a tap or a flick of the stylus in time to the accompanying music. Games are in the form of mini-games that tier up in difficulty to a ‘remix’ level before moving on to the next set of challenges. These can require actions such as playing table tennis, keeping up a soccer ball, taking photos of racing cars or slicing vegetables as a ninja dog. As the name suggests, you do all this in rhythm to the equally quirky music.

Games like Rhythm Heaven really make the most of what the DS has to offer. Forget the awkward, cut-down and compromised ports from the larger consoles, it’s original and addictive games like this where the DS proves its worth.

Score 92%

Title: The Sims 2: Apartment Pets
From: Electronic Arts
For: Nintendo DS

It would seem that the DS is a prime target for cutsie simulation games such as this. Games completely lacking in any substance that you initially might think “hmmm a game in which you look after puppies, kittens etc…how cute! I’d like to play that”, but then quickly realise it becomes a chore.
In typical Sims style, you take care of your pet/s by exercising them, feeding them and of course cleaning up after them. With your Simolean dollars you can buy them toys, outfits and get them groomed. Every now and then it breaks into a mini-game in which you will brush, wash, spray perfume on or stroke your pet (except for the snake – don’t spray perfume on a snake), however these all amount to exactly the same action and wear thin after the first time.
Graphically it looks better than the first Sims Pets game on the DS, but amounts to nothing more gameplay-wise. Even the younger gamers will get bored.

Score 40%

Title: Guitar Hero on Tour
From: Vicarious Visions
For: Nintendo DS

I was quite excited to try out a portable version of the excellent Guitar Hero series and the DS seemed to be the ideal platform.

The game comes with a plug-in attachment (one for the DS Lite and another for the original DS) which allows you to strap the DS to your hand and places 4 coloured fret buttons at your fingertips. Also included is a guitar pick, especially designed to strum the touch-screen.

Guitar Hero on Tour is styled similar to the larger console versions and includes 26 tracks (25 + 1 hidden) from a range of styles and bands. Holding the DS on its side, you strum the guitar and press the frets in time with the scrolling notes as usual. In general this works well, until you have to strum some notes in quick succession. The touch-screen just can’t keep up and even though you’ve hit the note correctly, it won’t register – therefore ruining your score.

It’s a fatal flaw to the ultimate success of the game on the DS and as much fun as it is to play, Guitar Hero fans should stick to the big versions of the game.

Score 65%

Microsoft showcases groundbreaking approach to game shows

LOS ANGELES — July 14, 2008 —The world of Xbox 360 just got bigger, broader and more exciting than ever as Microsoft unveiled a host of games that will make anyone’s heart race at E3 Media and Business Summit (E3) in Los Angeles.

Microsoft Corp. today unveiled a games portfolio for all ages and interests. Included were new titles for music lovers such as “Lips” and the exclusive launch of “Rock Band 2”; family-friendly games from the B-movie maker “You’re in the Movies” to “Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise.”

“From those new to games and eager to jump in, to the hardcore gamer looking for the most intense games experiences, this is truly the year to own an Xbox 360 system,” said Shane Kim, corporate vice president of strategy and business development with Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business.

Bringing Music Games to Life
Xbox 360 transforms your living room into a thrilling soundstage for you and your friends. No other system connects you with all the music you love:

• “Lips” (iNiS/Microsoft Game Studios). “Lips,” an all-new music franchise exclusively from Xbox 360, is the only singing game that offers wireless motion-sensitive microphones and the ability to sing from your own music collection.* Start channelling your favourite pop star, because it’s you, your friends and, most important, your music that makes “Lips” the world’s ultimate party experience this holiday.

• “Guitar Hero® World Tour” (RedOctane/Activision). When the house lights go down this fall, a new generation of axe shredders, drummers and fearless front-men will come together and rock with “Guitar Hero World Tour.” The latest instalment from the No. 1 best-selling video game franchise of 2007, “Guitar Hero World Tour” will transform music gaming by marrying the exhilarating guitar gameplay of “Guitar Hero” with a cooperative band experience that combines the most advanced wireless instruments with revolutionary new online and offline gameplay modes. The game will feature a slick newly redesigned guitar, a genuine electronic drum kit and a microphone, as well as an innovative Music Studio music creator that lets players compose, record, edit and share their own rock-and-roll anthems, along with online Band Career and eight-player “Battle of the Bands.” “Guitar Hero World Tour” is being developed by Neversoft Entertainment and will be available for Xbox 360 this year.

• “Rock Band 2” (Harmonix/MTV Games). Debuting exclusively on Xbox 360 this September, “Rock Band” is developed by Harmonix and published by MTV Games. “Rock Band 2” is the next evolution of the franchise that allows players to virtually step into the shoes of their favourite bands as singer, guitarist, bassist or drummer.

Xbox 360 Is the Life of the Party
Xbox 360 truly gets the party started with a wide-ranging portfolio of exclusive games for the whole family, including the following:

• “You’re in the Movies” (Codemasters/Microsoft). Get ready for your close-up. “You’re in the Movies” brings the cool factor to kitsch as you live out your dreams of becoming a scream queen, zombie or kung fu fighter. Premiering exclusively on Xbox 360 this holiday season, “You’re in the Movies” is the first and only game of its kind to literally transport players into a magical world of cinema mixed with the hilarious world of improvisation. Using the Xbox LIVE Vision camera, players’ actions are captured and placed into short, riotous films. Performances never end up on the cutting-room floor, and are never the same.

• “Scene It? Box Office Smash” (Krome Studios and Screenlife/Microsoft Game Studios). “Scene It? Box Office Smash,” the revolutionary movie trivia game on Xbox 360, will ignite your game night this holiday season with totally new questions, movie puzzles and more high-definition (HD) content from real movies including some of Hollywood’s latest blockbusters. Trivia night goes global as players challenge each other online over Xbox LIVE, customise their own characters, and access extra questions and localised content from films around the world.**

• “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” (Rare Ltd./Microsoft Game Studios). Available exclusively on Xbox 360 in November, from the creative masterminds at Rare, “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts” is an action-adventure game that breathes new life into a franchise that has entertained people of all ages for a decade. In a platform genre first, players create their own abilities by building vehicles for Banjo to pilot over land, sea and air in a variety of Challenges where their choice of vehicle and tactics determines the course of the adventure. Players can test their customised vehicles against other players’ creations online or simply compare and share their inventions with friends. The original “Banjo-Kazooie” also debuts with “Stop ’N’ Swop” on Xbox LIVE Arcade later this year.

• “DanceDanceRevolution® UNIVERSE3” (Konami). Celebrating its 10th anniversary, “DanceDanceRevolution UNIVERSE3” dances its way to you with fun new modes — including DJ Mode and Quest Mode — and settings for players of all skill levels. In addition to one of the biggest soundtracks — more than 70 songs spanning from the ’70s to some of today’s hottest tracks — “DanceDanceRevolution UNIVERSE3” brings friends together from around the world via Xbox LIVE.** Character customization features more than 400 options of clothing, faces, skin tones and hairstyles, allowing players to create the ultimate dancer.

• “UNO RUSH™” (Microsoft). “UNO RUSH” is a challenging and exciting party card game for up to four players. Developed by the same team that brought the original, best-selling “UNO®” to Xbox LIVE Arcade, “UNO RUSH” boasts a wide range of gameplay and social features — multiple variants, house-rule options, local and Xbox LIVE multiplay, camera support, avatar support and more — plus fast-paced gameplay to keep the party going. “UNO RUSH” is coming exclusively to Xbox LIVE Arcade in 2008.

• “Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise” (Rare Ltd./Microsoft Game Studios). In this sequel to the colourful sleeper hit “Viva Piñata” debuting in September, players can venture outside the boundaries of the immersive and ever-changing garden to retrieve exotic piñata species from two new lands, the Dessert Desert and the Piñarctic. Developed by Rare, “Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise” allows up to four players to work together to create the ultimate online garden via Xbox LIVE.** Players can race their favourite piñata or enter them into the P-Factor, Piñata Islands very own talent show and beauty pageant, online against friends or against other gardeners from the island. They can now use the Xbox LIVE Vision camera to drop a new piñata right into their gardens, change the weather or share their custom piñatas with others.

The Biggest Blockbusters of 2008 and Beyond
With the most popular blockbuster games and the most anticipated titles of 2008 and beyond, Xbox 360 is the pre-eminent place to play all the big titles that gamers thirst for, including the following:

• “Galaga Legions” (NAMCO BANDAI Games). The arcade shooter “Galaga” has captivated players all over the world, and now the legend lives on with “Galaga Legions.” Featuring table-turning game dynamics, updated graphics and vast waves of ferocious enemies, “Galaga Legions” was created by the same team that developed the best-selling “PAC-MAN Championship Edition” for Xbox LIVE Arcade. “Galaga Legions” will debut exclusively on Xbox LIVE Arcade in 2008.

• “Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2” (Bizarre Creations Ltd./Activision). The latest version of the frenetic retro shooter, “Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2” debuts exclusively on Xbox LIVE Arcade in 2008. Newcomers and pros alike will be blown away by the screen-melting intensity and insane new features, including six action-packed gameplay modes, new enemies, scoring strategies and a diverse list of exciting Achievements. “Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2” also supports multiplayer mayhem for up to four players, with versus or co-op modes, and features razor-sharp 1080p graphics and new, pulse-pounding music.

• “Portal™: Still Alive” (Valve/Microsoft). “Portal: Still Alive” features the full award-winning “Portal” single-player game from Valve plus a new challenge mode. Designed to change the way players approach, manipulate and surmise the possibilities in any given environment, “Portal” has earned more than 70 industry honors for its innovative gameplay, with more than 30 Game of the Year Awards. Solve physical puzzles and challenges by opening portals to manoeuvring objects, and yourself, through space. The game is debuting on Xbox LIVE Arcade in 2008.

• “South Park” (South Park Digital Studios/Doublesix/Microsoft). Based on the Emmy and Peabody-award winning show, a “South Park” game (title TBA) is coming exclusively to Xbox LIVE Arcade in 2009.

• “Fable II” (Lionhead Studios/Microsoft Game Studios). This Xbox 360 exclusive action role-playing game offers players an epic storyline and an unprecedented level of freedom and choice. Every decision defines who the player becomes and influences the evolving world around them. “Fable II” is the next great step for the genre, with an innovative dynamic cooperative mode, where players can choose to invite a friend on the same couch or over Xbox LIVE to experience the world together.** The journey begins with a first-of-its-kind exclusive Xbox LIVE Arcade title, which enables players to get a head start on earning gold that will transfer to the rich world of “Fable II” when it arrives.

• “Gears of War 2” (Epic Games/Microsoft Game Studios). Epic Games’ design director Cliff Bleszinski gave a stunning new look at the “Gears of War 2” campaign, and confirmed the ability to ride the fearsome Brumak. Also detailed was the all-new five-player cooperative mode “Horde,” where players unite to battle a seemingly endless onslaught of Locust Horde forces.** “Gears of War 2” is the most anticipated Xbox 360 exclusive title this holiday season and will be released worldwide.

• “Grand Theft Auto IV” (Rockstar North/Rockstar Games). Continuing its blistering pace on the Xbox 360 platform, the first of the Xbox 360 exclusive downloadable episodes for this record-breaking game will be available this year — the only console with new “Grand Theft Auto IV” content available.

• “Halo Wars” (Ensemble Studios/Microsoft Game Studios). Microsoft is further expanding the “Halo” universe with “Halo Wars,” the blockbuster strategy game designed exclusively for the Xbox 360. A piece of the “Halo Wars” story is revealed through “Five Long Years,” a trailer from Ensemble Studios and Microsoft, which showcases the brutal struggle for control of Harvest early in the Human-Covenant wars. “Halo Wars” will put gamers in command of the entire battlefield, leading both UNSC and Covenant forces.

• “Infinite Undiscovery™” (Square Enix). “Infinite Undiscovery” is the newest fantasy role-playing console game from Square Enix, drawing gamers into a real-time world woven of countless threads where player choices spin untold discoveries — only on Xbox 360. Players will be confronted with a variety of dramatic situational battles, such as executing a daring escape while a gigantic ogre follows in hot pursuit, or waging battle amid towering tidal waves. Dynamic environments change and respond in real time, creating an entirely new experience never before seen in the genre.

• “The Last Remnant™” (Square Enix). “The Last Remnant” is a new role-playing game crafted using the finest artistry and technology Square Enix has to offer. Set in a fantasy world, war-torn and scarred by years of conflict, gameplay revolves around mysterious artefacts — Remnants — that possess magic powers.

• “Resident Evil 5” (Capcom). Destined to bring new fans to the series, “Resident Evil 5” is the sequel to one of the highest-rated video games in history (according to Metacritic.com and Gamerankings.com). Promising to revolutionize the series by delivering an unbelievable level of detail, realism and control, “Resident Evil 5” unleashes an unprecedented level of fear for the next generation. New technology developed specifically for the game, as well as incredible changes to both the gameplay and the “Resident Evil” world, will make this a must-have game for gamers across the globe.

• “STAR OCEAN®: The Last Hope™” (Square Enix). “STAR OCEAN: The Last Hope” is the long-awaited continuation of the celebrated science fiction and fantasy role-playing game series. Slated for release on Xbox 360 in spring 2009 and published by Square Enix, this prequel set during the aftermath of World War III combines science fiction and fantasy elements spanning multiple planets and the vastness of space itself to recount the origins of the STAR OCEAN universe. Exhilarating combat expands upon the franchise’s famous real-time battle system, introducing the amazing graphics and visual effects possible only on Xbox 360.

• “Too Human” (Silicon Knights/Microsoft Game Studios). “Too Human” is an epic action game with integrated role-playing game elements, and will be available in August. The game features a rich storyline with deep character development, both hallmarks of Silicon Knights’ legendary tradition of video game development.

Title: High School Musical 2: Work This Out
From: Disney
For: Nintendo DS

It would pay to note that High School Musical 2: Work This Out is aimed at pre-teen girls who are fans of the movie rather than a thirty-something guy who can appreciate the appeal of the movie, but would rather have toothpicks rammed under his fingernails than play a game based on it. Luckily my 8 year old daughter Kelsie is a huge fan and was champing at the bit to play it.

30 minutes later, even she was bored. Why? Because the game is boring, and by boring I mean awful.

The game loosely follows the 2nd movie and by completing 4 minigames (actually 2 variants of 2 games) and completing menial tasks in between, you earn points to unlock music from the soundtrack. This takes forever and by the time you’ve unlocked all the songs you’ll be sick to death of hearing them.
The first High School Musical game wasn’t a bad effort and held some appeal for fans and gamers, but this sequel fails on so many levels.

Score 35%

Title: Professor Layton and the Curious Village
From: Levels/Nintendo
For: Nintendo DS

Sometimes it pays not to judge a book/game by its cover or name. Professor Layton and the Curious Village by all means looks and sounds like a game that you might want to keep at arms length. Put the game in your DS however and a genuine hidden gem reveals itself.

Professor Layton is an expert puzzle solver and with his sidekick Luke must solve the mystery to the death of Baron Reinholdt. The characters are well animated and put against painted backgrounds giving the cutscenes a cute old-fashioned feel.
You must solve puzzles to extract important clues to the mystery and these will certainly have your brain working overtime. There’s logic, mathematical and visual puzzles which range in difficulty from the very easy to those frustrating ones that make you feel stupid once you finally work them out.
This game is well worth a look if puzzle solving is your thing, but unfortunately there’s little to no replay value as you’ll know the answers already.

Score 80%

Watch the trailer

TAMAGOTCHI CONNEXION: CORNER SHOP 3
FOR NINTENDO DS™ COMING TO AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

Tamagotchi Town Opens for Business in October 2008 with All New Features and Lots More Fun

Monday 12th May 2008 – Atari today announced the forthcoming launch of NAMCO BANDAI Games’ Tamagotchi Connexion: Corner Shop 3 for the Nintendo DS™. Available in Australia and New Zealand from October 2008, Tamagotchi Connexion: Corner Shop 3 will feature the most well-stocked store lineup to date, with 13 brand new shops to run and expand, a park to design and visit, and the ability to trade journals with your friends via Wi-Fi.

Business in Tamagotchi Town is booming, and over a dozen new shops have moved in. Help manage these brand new shops and keep customers coming back for more. When the work day is done, relax in your very own park that you’ve created. You can write in your journal to record the day’s events, and share items and journals with your friends over Wi-Fi.

Tamagotchi Connexion: Corner Shop 3 introduces players to the responsibilities of running a successful business in a fun and creative way. Key game features include:

• All New Stores: Find over a dozen brand new stores to run! Bake fresh bread at the Bakery, plan a party at the Event Coordinator shop, or scoop ice cream at the Ice Cream Parlor. Combine and upgrade stores to keep happy customers coming back for more.

• Create Your Own Park: Create a relaxing and fun park to hang out with friends and chat with other Tamagotchis. Decorate your park with fountains, gardens and other items to be discovered. Come back often to see how your park has changed.

• More Characters: The popular Violetchi joins in on the fun with Mametchi, Kuchipatchi and Memetchi to team up with players and help them run the best business they can.

• Connect With Friends: Share items and swap journals with friends via a wireless connection.

Tamagotchi Connexion: Corner Shop 3 is scheduled for launch in October 2008.