Mario vs. Donkey Ko...zzzzzz...
I purchased Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis (DS) a few days ago. It was completely on a whim because I hadn't read any reviews about this game, but I remember hearing that the first Mario vs. Donkey Kong was fun, and come on, it's Mario. And Donkey Kong. Can I really go wrong?
Apparently yes I can, because I'm already considering returning the game and getting credit towards Contact (which comes out soon yaaay). It's not a bad game, it's somewhat entertaining and, of course, ridiculously cute :) You control several wind-up mini-Mario toys and try to guide them all to the goal, Lemmings-style. Along the way are obstacles, gaps, enemies and Donkey Kongs that flip you up into the air. At the end of each "world", you battle Donkey Kong to move on to the next world. And of course, there are things to collect, like cards that spell out "Mini-Mario" in each level. Really should be a winner, hm? They even make little squeak-toy noises! Just look at how cute it is (these are not my images):

Weeell, maybe I'm just lazy, or just bad at solving puzzles, but this game is a little more frustrating than fun. The mini-Marios are simply brainless toys that keep bumping into each other and then go off into the wrong direction and get themselves killed. It's a great game for just picking up and playing between classes, but I usually get bored before I get very far. Solving the levels aren't that satisfying, and it doesn't seem like there's more to this game than the levels and the occasional mini-game, so once I get bored I just shut it off or pop in Tetris (which, oh man, I can never stop playing). I'm going to give it a few more tries, but I might just have to let this one go. Oh well, I still have New Super Mario Bros. to keep me company until a few new games come out.
Rating: 6.5 out of 10
By the way, in sheer frustration from buying this game, and just because I could, I traded my white DS for a black one the very next day, and it's so preeeetty! But now I'm too paranoid about leaving fingerprints all over it -.-











Sim City DS, released earlier in Japan, is making its way to the US this summer yaaaaaaaaay! (Hopefully Panel de Pon will follow suit!) This version will let the user utilize the DS's capabilities, like blowing into the mic to put out fires (though in reality, I'm sure that would make it worse), and using the stylus to sign off on city proclamations.








Hooray, I don't have to shell out the big bucks for a XBox 360 anymore, since Viva Piñata is coming to the Nintendo DS! I recently was able to play the game, and everything about it, from the gameplay to the graphics, is just wonderful. And lord knows that I love simulation games where I just have to grow and take care of stuff, so!
