Review: Kirby Canvas Curse

Game reviews today focus on graphics, sound and story, and usually say very little about fun. Rarely is it possible to describe a game anymore as simply "fun", and to some extent that's a credit to the growth of the industry. Fun, though, is exactly what Kirby Canvas Curse conjures up. The first title to really capture the spirit of the Nintendo DS is a quick moving experience that's easy to pick up and put down, bite sized chunks of art and entertainment. Read on for my commentary on the latest imaginative HAL Labs game.

• Title: Kirby Canvas Curse
• Developer: HAL Labs
• Publisher: Nintendo
• System: DS
• Reviewer: Zonk
• Score: 9/10

When the DS was first released in November of last year, the initial game releases didn't quite grasp the essential nature of the console. Sure, Touch the Magic XX/XY let you reach out and touch people, and WarioWare Touched was an entertaining way to interact more with the odd mini-games, but nothing stood out as ground-shakingly new. Games released on the handheld since then have been mostly ports from older systems, some relatively competent and some teeth grindingly bad. This decision on Nintendo's part has diluted the enthusiasm that fans of the dual-screen idea initially possessed and squandered their launch momentum.

Thankfully, the vision that Nintendo has for the DS is beginning to become clearer. The release of Nintendogs in Japan has been a cultural phenomenon, spurring sales of the handheld to new levels and putting Nintendo's console well ahead of Sony's offering. Electroplankton and a slate of games with touch interaction are planned for release throughout the rest of the year, and are once again getting people excited about idea of two screens.

Kirby is the first title on the DS released in the states to really capture the essential different-ness of the handheld console. Kirby's normal bouncy, wind sucking adventures are brought to a halt by a witch that curses Dreamland with a powerful incantation. Colors are drained away and the realms of Dreamland are warped into art pieces full of monsters. Kirby gives chase to the witch as she flees, but to add insult to injury she transforms the already rotund little guy into a limbless ball.

That's where you come in. Kirby rolls along through the different levels, and via the stylus you assist him in giving the witch her comeuppance. By poking enemies with the stylus, you stun them and allow Kirby to safely knock them off the map. By poking Kirby you can make him execute a dash maneuver, which takes out Kirby's foes and causes him to speed along through the level. Like other Kirby games, the gelatinous blob of a hero absorbs the powers of the creatures he defeats. By knocking out enemies, he can gain fire powers, or ice powers, or the ability to turn into a rock. Powers are activated by poking him, and replace his normal dash attack. One power even allows him to inflate like a balloon, and additional pokes pump him up further and send him flying higher and higher.

This intuitive control scheme is extended through a clever continuation of the game's art theme. By drawing with the stylus, you can create lines of paint on the canvas world. They serve many purposes, allowing Kirby to avoid obstacles and projectiles and enabling you to change his path of travel. Like a velcro-surfaced ping pong ball, Kirby follows your trails exactly to avoid opponents and dive into the depths of watery levels. With all the poking and the drawing, the DS allows for a somewhat unique experience. While this idea was first implimented in Yoshi Touch & Go, the inking system's use here is so much more intuitive as to be a new way of play. Instead of manipulating Kirby directly you control the world around him to ensure your success.

And an interesting world it is. Every level in Canvas Curse is broken up into three areas, which are further subdivided into three maps. You'll tackle nine discrete maps before you've mastered a level, with a boss battle capping off the level's challenges. The maps begin with relatively simple plains and tunnels, and eventually see you working your way through lava filled volcanoes, watery seascapes, and high-tech factories. In each map you'll have three objectives, all of which are simple to grasp. Foremost, you want to keep Kirby alive. He can take a few hits (initially four) before his little ball body pops, but there are flashing pick-me-ups scattered throughout the game to recharge your energy. Secondly, you'll want to gather stars. Stars are strewn about every map and are an easy way of making sure that you're going in the right direction. The stars are just the dreamland version of coins or rupees, and in the grand platforming tradition 100 stars equals a 1up. Your tertiary objective on every map is to find the hidden Medal. There is one secreted away in each map, and collecting medals allows you to use the Dreamland version of the slot machine.

Unlike your Vegas experience, though, Dreamland slots pay up. The "Medal Swap" selection from the main menu allows you to trade in your medals for stuff. While your initial booty (new music tracks in the sound test option) will make you question the need to collect these things, pressing on nets you some neat stuff. New colors for your ink trails are fun extras (including a zebra striped one I really like), and eventually your Medal search makes gameplay easier. Enough Medals turned in and Kirby can survive more hits.

While you can find one Medal in every map in the main game, defeating a level allows you to take on the maps you just cleared in the "Rainbow Run". The Run is where you'll be able to earn most of your Medals. When you choose an area in the level, you'll be presented with the option to do a time trial or a line trial. The two trials each use a map from the area you've chosen, meaning that in the Rainbow Run you can work through six of the nine original maps you defeated. The time trial is just that, a challenge to make it through the map as quickly as possible. Line trial requires you to work through the map using as little ink as possible. For both the ink and time trial there are is a first, second, and third place goal. By besting the first place goal on either of the trials you earn three medals, one for each goal surpassed. Each defeated level can therefore offer up 18 Medals in total if you best both trials in all three areas.

The challenge of defeating a level is not complete, though, until you've faced a boss battle. The boss battles, like the rest of the game, show off the unique gameplay possible on the DS in a fun and interesting way. In one game, Kirby rolls along through a tube while a skeazy sketch artist races ahead of you drawing Kirby-related shapes. In order to catch up with and defeat the skater you have to sketch out the shapes he drew, and quickly. Another boss battle is a form of Arkanoid, with Kirby climbing ever upward through destroyable block areas being bounced around by paddles you draw with the stylus. A third is a frenetic mining cart race against an angry penguin, where you use the stylus to direct Kirby's path of travel. To make him go faster, you make him plow into food. As one does.

The boss battles sum up everything that is great about Kirby Canvas Curse. The intuitive use of the stylus to manipulate the little pink puffball's environment is a wonderfully logical progression from the usual platforming schtick. The fast pace of the gameplay and the beauty of the environments ensure that the main game doesn't get old. Canvas Curse is the perfect handheld gaming concept. Discrete areas and the "hold" that the DS places on the game when you close the lid means you can pick up and put down the game with absolutely no regrets. If you want a quick fix and aren't currently in the middle of a main game area, you can work through a Rainbow Run map and earn some Medals for new ink patterns or main game loot. No matter how you're playing the game you'll appreciate the quirky enemies and the well done music. It's as simple as this: If you have a DS you need to try out Canvas Curse. This game is the reason you bought the system.

Comments

Growth?

[DrEldarion]

Rarely is it possible to describe a game anymore as simply "fun", and to some extent that's a credit to the growth of the industry.

Credit to the GROWTH of the industry? I, and a lot of people, would argue that it's indicative of the downfall of the industry.

Also, add Katamari Damacy to the list of games that can just be described as "fun".

Re:Growth?

[IAmTheDave]

Rarely is it possible to describe a game anymore as simply "fun", and to some extent that's a credit to the growth of the industry.

I would hypothesize that this is because games are much much more complicated than once they were. Pong, Breakout, and Jungle Hunt were easy to say "hell yes, this is fun." You have a singluar objective (Frogger, Asteroids) and spend the entire time focusing on that goal - and is that fun? Therin lies your answer.

However, today's games are so much more complex. Games rarely have a singluar objective anymore - it's a series of puzzles to be solved while destroying an enemy while strategizing moves while battling/collaborating with other users online... There is no simplicity to be named fun here. Doom3 might be fun in its slaughter but is the gameplay and the plot solid?

The more complex something is, the much harder it becomes to apply such a blanket adjective.

Re:Growth?

[puppetman]

I think you miss the point of "fun".

He's not saying, "It's a first person shooter that pushes the genre by adding bump-mapped surfaces that make the reflections in the water look amazing..."

He's saying it's a game with no genre; it's not a "me-too, look what features we have if your computer sports a $400 video card"

Revolutionary ideas can't be quantified into categories defined in the past. Evolutionary games can.

This game is not the evolution of some other game with a few interesting twists.

Again, you've missed the point.

Re:Growth?

[Inkieminstrel]

The more complex something is, the much harder it becomes to apply such a blanket adjective.

Unless that blanket adjective is "complex."

Seriously, it shouldn't be that hard to label something as fun or un-fun. I doubt any game out there is that much more complex than your average Carribbean vacation (including planning, reservation, flights, etc), and yet people would seem to have no problem labeling such a vacation with a blanket term like fun or un-fun.

Re:Growth?

[cowscows]

I'd only describe a vacation with a blanket term like fun or no fun if the person asking about it was someone I didn't feel like having a conversation with.

Every vacation that I've been on has had good parts, mixed in with at least a few little problems. Most of your coworkers, when they're passing you in the hall, they just want a quick answer because they've got other things to do, and they just want to hear that you had a good time. But if they're thinking of going on a similar caribbean vacation, they're going to ask you to break it down, like a game review. You can find similar reviews of packaged trips and cruises too if you feel like looking.

It's not that we can't label our games that easily, it's that we'd rather discuss them a little more thoroughly, cause we're a bunch of video game nerds. My mom can give you simple descriptions of some different games if that's what you're looking for. Mario Kart, Fun. Mario Sunshine, not fun.

But it's rare that a game is so new to us jaded gamers that a couple words is all we can use to describe it. When you've got something new like the DS, and a game that uses its unique features so fully, it becomes hard to explain to people who don't have the proper frame of reference. If it's one of those things that you have to try to understand, then you're not going to get a much better description than fun or not fun.

Re:Growth?

[Anonymous Coward]

He's implying that you assume a game is fun, and then judge its other characteristics. Whether or not I agree with his opinion, it's still a valid phrase. Unless you're just being sarcastic to make a point that you disagree with his opinion.

Re:Growth?

[DrEldarion]

The problem nowadays is that games try to be so many things and get so much complexity, when it turns out that the simple games are sometimes the most fun ones.

Re:Growth?

[Osty]

Credit to the GROWTH of the industry? I, and a lot of people, would argue that it's indicative of the downfall of the industry.

And here I just thought Zonk was trying to be a pretentious yap. "Look at me! I'm reviewing a game, and unlike all of those other reviewers, I'll tell you that it's fun!"

Think about it. Would you want to read a review that consisted of two words? "It's fun." The end. Woo! I'm going to go buy it now! Reviews are one resource used to decide whether or not you're going to buy a game. I want a review that tells me what's good about the game ("It's fun" is a start, but I want to know why the reviewer thinks it's fun -- I may have a different perspective than the reviewer, so if I know where the reviewer is coming from I can judge better). More than that, I want to know what's bad about the game. When I'm spending $30-60 on a game, I want to know what I'm getting into. I'll read reviews and talk to friends. Applying those to my own preferences (eg, I like racing games and shooters, not so much RTS or puzzles), I will end up in one of three states: "Will buy it", "won't buy it", and "need to rent it or borrow from a friend to make up my mind". If reviewers only spouted off "It's fun", I'd end up in the third case way too often for my liking. (Note that I'm not saying I base my buying decisions solely on reviews. I use them as a source of information, nothing more, and generally will gather reviews from multiple sources by using a site like GameRankings.com to get an aggregated score and multiple review perspectives.)

There's a reason why reviewers don't boil down a review to "It's fun" or "It's not fun" -- they'd be out of a job, because nobody would bother reading their reviews. You can attack the reviewing industry for taking payola, or for giving generous scores (how many times have you seen a review where the text of the review makes it sound like the game should've actually scored 2-3 points lower than it did?), but attacking it because they don't summarize with, "It's fun"? That's just silly.

Re:Growth?

[Daetrin]

I think you miss the point of "fun".

He's saying it's a game with no genre; it's not a "me-too, look what features we have if your computer sports a $400 video card"

Did you even read what he said? To quote: "Also, add Katamari Damacy to the list of games that can just be described as "fun"."

I think you're the one missing the point. Katamari Damacy is exactly the kind of game that fits the "point" you're accusing him of missing.

Personaly i would also add Wario Ware Touched to the list of "fun" games. The game itself may be evolutionary, but it made great use of the two sreens and touchscreen and was i at least thought it was "just fun."

Re:Growth?

[puppetman]

I wasn't saying anything about Katamari Damacy (never even heard of it). I was commenting on what he said about the inability to apply any adjective to a game other than "fun":

"Credit to the GROWTH of the industry? I, and a lot of people, would argue that it's indicative of the downfall of the industry."

In otherwords, the gaming industry is in decline because there are games out there that cannot be described by what's come before, and thus the only description you can use is "fun".

I say that if a game is so unique that you can't talk about how it compares to other games in the genre (because there are none), then that's a good thing. The parent to my original post implied that it's a bad thing.

Re:Growth?

[cowscows]

Well, I'd say that depends. Try to think of the simple games and the more complex games as different types, neither one inherently better than the other. It's just that some of the complicated games are sucky, just like the simple ones sometimes suck. When the game market crashed (pre-NES), all the games were pretty simple, it's just that a lot weren't fun.

Sure, sometimes developers try too much and can't get it done (Black & White). But other times, it works out well, and you get a really fun game (GTA3).

But yeah, a really simple but good gameplay mechanic can turn into a timeless game. (Minesweeper).

Re:Growth?

[dajak]

However, today's games are so much more complex. Games rarely have a singluar objective anymore - it's a series of puzzles to be solved while destroying an enemy while strategizing moves while battling/collaborating with other users online... There is no simplicity to be named fun here. Doom3 might be fun in its slaughter but is the gameplay and the plot solid?


Plot? You mean doom3 is something more than multiplayer pacman with guns and pretty graphics?

Re:Growth?

[random735]

no, what i think the original poster meant was, it's not a good sign of the game industry health if it's unique to be able to describe a game as fun, rather than focusing on its great graphics.

the fact that this is the first game in a while that's being described as "fun" instead of "looks awesome", is a sign of decline in the game industry...or at least that's what the original poster was trying to say. and i'd tend to agree with him.

it had nothing to do with the ability/inability to classify the game, but rather that reviews are no longer focused on fun, but on flashiness.

Re:Growth?

[Rallion]

I say that if a game is so unique that you can't talk about how it compares to other games in the genre (because there are none), then that's a good thing. The parent to my original post implied that it's a bad thing.

Only if you misread it. It said that you can rarely describe a game as fun. The article said that's good. The parent to your original post disagreed.

Re:Growth?

[FuzzyBad-Mofo]

Credit to the GROWTH of the industry? I, and a lot of people, would argue that it's indicative of the downfall of the industry.

Obviously, the reviewer is an accounting major, and considers "Industry Growth" to be a liability. In that perspective, it makes perfect sense. (in accounting, a credit for an asset is negative, while a credit for a liability is positive)

Re:Growth?

[micpp]

Graphics? I don't remember seeing much in the way of anything on my screen.

Re:Growth?

[bitwiseNomad]

Interesting to note that even though the PSP is capable of recreating the gaming experience you could get on a PS2, the only game people ever wind up talking about is Lumines, a 2-D blockbreaking game.

Best platformer ever

[Anonymous Coward]

This is seriously one of the best platformers I've ever played. Touchscreen a gimmick? Ha!

Re:Best platformer ever

[Pxtl]

Amen. I was overjoyed when I heard of a console getting a touchscreen (finally, a pointing device for consoles so FPS and RTS console games can avoid suckage).... and then was disappointed when I realised that Nintendo would be making it, and so the main games would be Mario and stuff. Fortunately, Nintendo is making neat stuff for the DS.

I do wonder why they even bothered with the second screen - I haven't seen many games that justify the expense of even having it. The touchscreen and wireless are the real big deal.

Re:Best platformer ever

[Justin205]

It seems the second screen has become the gimmick that the touchscreen was thought to be. It's the superfluous thing, although it does make some touchscreen games easier. For example, you can keep playing while glancing at the map, instead of moving your hand from the touchscreen to hit the start button (or another button).

Re:Best platformer ever

[ZakuSage]

I've never heard anyone say that the touchscreen was the gimick. Almost everyone I've spoken to in message boards and in real life say that 2 screens is extremely gimmicky and unneccesary.

I've seen almost unanimous decision that 1 big touch screen, equal to or more then the size of 2 small ones is better then 2 small ones with one as a touchscreen. The fact is that 2 small screens are limiting, especially when there's a barrier between them, and if they really wanted to devs can split up a large screen into halfs, or even with a map in the corner to completely out-do a 2 screen setup.

Re:Best platformer ever

[puppetman]

Interesting to see how the DS is going. I thought it was going to die a slow and painful death.

Two small screens, and you can write on them? I got a PSP instead.

The graphics are great, there are some great games, but it's all racing, puzzles and sports. It's a limited version of a PS2 or XBox.

When I go to my local electronics warehouse, I've noticed that the PSP is being relegated to a crappy, out-of-the-way location. The DS is way more noticable.

On the flip side, I'll be watching Battlestar Galactica episode 3, season 2, on my PSP on my train-ride into work on Monday morning.

Re:Best platformer ever

[op12]

I've seen almost unanimous decision that 1 big touch screen, equal to or more then the size of 2 small ones is better then 2 small ones with one as a touchscreen.

But try folding one of those in half :)

Re:Best platformer ever

[Pluvius]

Didn't most people always think that the second screen was the more gimmicky of the two (it is called the Nintendo DS after all)? I personally thought that it was, even though I also thought that the touchscreen was more gimmicky then than I do now (I figured that the complex games that tend to use mice like RTSes and computer RPGs wouldn't appear on the DS, not realizing that you can make much simpler games like this and Warioware that can also make good use out of the touchscreen).

Rob

Re:Best platformer ever

[GFLPraxis]

Disappointed Nintendo is making it?
Less than a month till Metroid Prime Hunters, a FPS, comes out.

Splinter Cell and GoldenEye already came out.

"I do wonder why they even bothered with the second screen - I haven't seen many games that justify the expense of even having it."

It's pretty simple when you think about it. If it only had one screen, when you play an FPS game, your stylus or finger would cover whatever you are aiming at. Therefore you need one screen for the view and one for the touch sensitivity, like in Metroid Prime Hunters.

Re:Best platformer ever

[GFLPraxis]

Well, so far, the DS has outsold the PSP two-to-one.

And it seems to have a killer lineup, with Metroid Prime Hunters, Advance Wars: Dual Strike, Age of Empires 2, Nintendogs, Viewtiful Joe DS, Tony Hawk DS (online and cel-shaded), Animal Crossing DS (online), Mario Kart DS (online), MMBN DS, Final Fantasy III, Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles, a new 2D Mario Platformer, Mario & Luigi 2, Sonic Rush, and Need For Speed Most Wanted all coming this fall...

Throw in 25 online games in development, as well as big franchises such as Katamari Damacy (yes, KD is coming to DS), Baten Kaitos, Xenosaga, Dynasty Warriors, Pokemon (ick), Zelda, etc, all coming to the DS...

The DS is not going to die anytime soon.

In fact, Nintendo is even catering to bookworms and pedophiles with this game about a touchscreen dictionary...

See, they called it, "Touch Dic".
http://www.touchdic.co.kr/

Re:Best platformer ever

[snorklewacker]

it is called the Nintendo DS after all

The original name, "TouchBoy" didn't make it past the focus groups.

Re:Best platformer ever

[FLAGGR]

Miyamoto said the decision was made because your stylus or thumb has to cover part of one screen.

Re:Best platformer ever

[Magnusite]

The second screen isn't a gimmick. When you are playing games which require an analog control stick (such as Mario 64 DS), you need to use the touch screen with your thumb. If this was the same screen you were looking at, your thumb might cover up a useful door, or a threat. In that case, you would be screaming "why didn't they add a second screen!".
That's not gimmicky, that's Good Design.

Re:Best platformer ever

[PhotoBoy]

Well said. Aside from the SNES, NES and Neo Geo emulators my PSP sits in its cradle most of the time. I haven't bought a game for the PSP in ages, there's been nothing good released in ages (as evidenced by the high sales of UMD movies). I think the PSP might see a big boost in sales when GTA:LCS comes out though.

One other area the DS comes out on top over the PSP for me is how quickly you can play a game. The PSP has long loading times and big gaps between save points. There's no way to have a quick five minute game without spending half of it watching loading screens. Sure the PSP has its sleep function but as soon as you finish a level or move to a new area it has to load from the disc again. The DS is much better at offering small chunks of game that can be played quickly but that also stand up to an extended gaming session.

Re:Best platformer ever

[Synesthesiatic]

How exactly are you going to see where you're going in that FPS without two screens? One screen for mouselook, one "main" screen.

Feel the Magic has a few good uses of the top screen. For example, in on game a shopping cart is coming down the top screen and you have to move obstacles on the bottom screen before it gets there. The minigames in Mario 64 DS are chalk-full of good gameplay ideas for the handheld.

Re:Best platformer ever

[SirLeNerd]

With this http://www.movieadvance.com/ I can do the same.

Re:Best platformer ever

[GFLPraxis]

Especially considering that they released a hack to let you run DS Homebrew, INCLUDING DSLinux, using the GBA Movie Player you linked to, just this week.

Re:Best platformer ever

[PeelBoy]

(finally, a pointing device for consoles so FPS and RTS console games can avoid suckage)

I do wonder why they even bothered with the second screen - I haven't seen many games that justify the expense of even having it

Have you played an FPS on the DS yet? I'm not sure how well this could be done with out the second screen.

The DS is still new. Give it a year or two. I'm sure we'll see some great uses of the 2 screens and maybe even the MIC in that time.

If game companies weren't so hell bent on NOT being innovative (They're more concerned with making a quick buck) we'd probably already be seeing good uses of the 2nd screen.

Re:Best platformer ever

[ZakuSage]

The design doesn't have to be the one DS uses. The PSP's screen has a higher resolution then DS' combined, and it could very well have been made touchscreen. The design for a PDA also applies here.

Re:Best platformer ever

[Anonymous Coward]

Can you send me a copy of that Battlestar Galactica episode? I'd like to stick on it a non-proprietary SD card and watch it my Gameboy.

Re:Best platformer ever

[Toby_Tyke]

Best platformer ever

No, that would be Super Mario World on the SNES. Or Mario 64 (N64 version) If we're talking 3D platformers.

Fact

Re:Best platformer ever

[ninjakoala]

Look no further than Another Code: Two Memories. It's sort of a mix between the old adventures and Myst. You will have to use both screens to solve mysteries - including making wood prints, using reflections, super-imposing images and much more. There is some really innovative stuff going on in that game. It seems that recently games have gotten better and better. Yoshi Touch & Go was a great game too and the second screen is certainly put to good use (shooting range part of the time and sometimes it allows you to see what's coming down towards you). I bet the screens will come in handy in Advance Wars DS - I mean, it's pretty great to have an extra screen for a turn-based strategy game.

Re:Best platformer ever

[tonejava]

Hmmmm.... And the gameboy back on the 90's had a smaller screen than the Sega Gamegear and atari lynx. The GameBoy was mono while the other two were colour. The Gameboy is still around today, where are the others?

Re:Best platformer ever

[stonecypher]

Huhuhuhu. Just you wait until the bounty succeeds - when the amateur community has TCP/IP, gaming changes overnight.

<whore type="money" style="tired">Donate now!</whore>

Amazing game

[anza]

Kirby:CC is an amazing platformer. The end boss was one of the most satisfying I've played in years, and the entire game is just a blast to sit around and play with. I can just sit and play the time-trial tire levels over and over, simply because it's like a freeform version of Sonic. Great stuff, all around.

Re:Amazing game

[Trejkaz]

The replayability is pretty superb too. Beating that end boss with the Dedede Ball was the hardest I've ever worked my hands. No jokes, please.

Gameplay

[danikar]

Fun = Gameplay, a lot of reviews base stuff on gameplay

Initial reviews..

[pickyouupatnine]

Initial reviews of any game lately have always included and focused a lot on graphics and sound (among other things) because the developers spend a lot of time on them. But if the gameplay isn't right, then the game's longevity is severly hurt. After the first wave of buys and reviews, one gets a sense of how well the games (especially online games) by how many people are still playing it. .. Part of the reason why I like to wait a few weeks or even months before playing a game. If its good - then there's lots of people still playing it ;).

Re:Initial reviews..

[DirePickle]

"If its good - then there's lots of people still playing it ;)." This does not always work. There are, for instance, still throngs of people playing Counter Strike. Ugh.

Re:Adblock

[TrippTDF]

It's a review. Arguably, any review is an advertisment. I like seeing in-depth game reviews on Slashdot, but keep them off the main page. That's what subsections are for.

Obligatory VG-Cats link

[Spy der Mann]

http://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=152

Enjoy :)

Re:Obligatory VG-Cats link

[Pxtl]

Damn. beat me to it. Anybody wonder why Zonk puts odd little game-reviews like this to front page, and yet leaves the GTA Hot Coffee stuff in the sectional?

Re:Obligatory VG-Cats link

[pinchhazard]

Yep, no doubt about it: that strip sucked.

Re:Obligatory VG-Cats link

[Chosen Reject]

Probably because it was overblown to begin with and now we are continuously beating the dead horse. Let die what should never have been born. Please.

Re:Obligatory VG-Cats link

[Dryth]

Practice what your signature preaches. ;)

I mean, I know you're not submitting an actual story, but this is still Slashdot, and VGCats' pages aren't light on the bandwidth.

kirby loves wappo

[milktoastman]

I love these types of games. I don't remember having them on the 256 color nintendo 8-bit, but probably wouldn't have like it. Then when I got to smash flies in the sequelsa deck, that's when compromise turned into elation at the main office. Bzzz - swack! That formula spilled a real magnus for the old card company. Which is the problem with disty Wazonik's new attempts. Can't do it, can ye?

Re:kirby loves wappo

[milktoastman]

I meant "dusty," not "disty!" I'm dumb!!

Re:kirby loves wappo

[oldwolf13]

Are you on crack?

I mean seriously... come clean with us...

what kind of drugs have you been smoking?

It's just not you man... it's just not you.

Re:kirby loves wappo

[milktoastman]

Really, I'm not really trolling, and I'm not really being funny...but somewhere in between. I'm trying my hand at inducing a wtf reaction...like an art. There's a certain entertainment value in it. Granted, maybe I should be modded down offtopic...but I don't do it to be antagonistic or an ass. It's theater of the absurd!

Re:kirby loves wappo

[cornface]

It doesn't really work if you explain it. That's when the line seperating eccentric and pretentious is crossed.

Re:kirby loves wappo

[milktoastman]

You are very peculiar. Don't you know an address when you git it? fool....

Define: Kirby

[se7en11]

For all those who don't know who or most confusing what Kirby is:

Kirby is a small, pink, round ball-shaped character with large feet and small arms....Kirby

Re:Define: Kirby

[syrinx]

Kirby is a small, pink, round ball-shaped character with large feet and small arms

originally white (in Kirby's Dream Land.. yes, it was a B&W game, but the color illustrations for the manual and such showed him as white). I think he became pink in his second game.

Re:Define: Kirby

[starwed]

I believe that in this particular game, he loses his arms and legs. So now he's just a small pink ball...

Re: Define: Kirby

[Colin Douglas Howell]

I would call him an avatar of cuteness. :)

What if it's not so gimmicky, though?

[Millennium]

Consider games like this, which could never have worked on any of the other systems. This is simply the continuation of something that started with Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles - the creation of games which wouldn't work well with only one screen per player. It's a new gameplay mechanic, and it's still being explored, so there aren't too many good games with it yet. This game, however, sounds like the latest in a handful of solid hits.

Unusual? Yes. Gimmicky? I don't think so.

Re:What if it's not so gimmicky, though?

[muntjac]

kirby doesn't use both screens. the top screen is just filled with indicators that could have easily been included in the main view. usually the top screen just has maps or indicators. not really that useful. advance wars supposedly makes use of both screens for gameplay (top screen for air warfare), we'll have to wait and see if its a gimmick or if it actually works well.

Re:What if it's not so gimmicky, though?

[SilentChris]

Uh, actually, this could have been done very easily on a full-color PDA. It's controlled entirely via the stylus and the second screen is never used.

Re:What if it's not so gimmicky, though?

[Anonymous Coward]

You forgot the part about the touch screen. Kinda hard to use the 2nd one given it's a touch driven game.

Re:What if it's not so gimmicky, though?

[EggyToast]

This isn't meant as a criticism, but we've had PDAs for how many years, and they've never seen any game like this come out. I imagine even after numerous DS games come out that show innovative uses of touch screen technology, we still won't see any games come out for the PDA format that are close in terms of gameplay, polish, and overall quality.

Given the fact that the market for PDA games is essentially non-existent, I DO see the use of touchscreen on a handheld as a new and innovative interface for games. No other consoles have that. The fact that some computer technology also incorporates a touchscreen and has a game or two that use it in any new way (using a stylus to move cards for solitaire doesn't count) doesn't really make DS games less innovative or fun. After all, if they've had the tech available for so long, where are the games?

Re:What if it's not so gimmicky, though?

[Anonymous Coward]

The thing with the DS is that it is different from previous handhelds in so many ways (2 screens, touch screen, mic). It is farely hard to come up with a game that takes full advantage of even one of these features, let alone all 3.

So far the only game I've seen that actually uses all 3 to any effect is Nintendogs, which I might add is highly amusing ^_^.

Another game that imho uses the 2 screens and the touch screen well is Another Code(Trace Memory). The cut sceens are played over both screens, so it's like watching 2 films at once, with the action flowing from one to the other. In the game itself the bottom screen shows a top-down view of the character and is used for navigation, while the top screen provides myst-like images of your current location. With the stylus being used in much the same way we'd use a mouse on a pc.

All-in-all with some of the games that are out and some of the games that will be coming out I can't really see how people can still call the DS a gimic... As far as I see it, the dual screen and the touch screen are here to stay. What I would like the DS2 to have though is a wide-screen top screen :)

Re:What if it's not so gimmicky, though?

[sigloiv]

Do you want to know why this game was created on the DS? It was because it's a Nintendo game on a Nintendo console. Do you see any alternative for Nintendo to develop on? No. Nintendo isn't going to make a Kirby game on a Palm OS.

As you said, there are games which make use of the second screen (Advance Wars is an example), but Nintendo has no other touch screen console with such a perfect market for Kirby games.

I just seen this on gametrailers.com

[88NoSoup4U88]

And since a picture can tell a thousand words, I guess some videos will make it up to a million of words ;-)

Looks very fun indeed.

Easter Egg

[exp(pi*sqrt(163))]

If you place the stylus in the top left corner and then, while pressing down the A key, swipe to the lower right corner - wait 3 seconds, and then press X and Y while rubbing the stylus in circles around the middle of the touchscreen while humming approximately a middle C into the microphone, you'll get the Hot Milk cheat. Kirby will appear naked and then by blowing on the microphone...well...you'll just have to try it for yourself and see...

Re:Easter Egg

[88NoSoup4U88]

Since one of the cheats for the game is inserting the Game Boy Advance game Kirby And The Amazing Mirror in the cartridge slot and then loading a saved game from it (unlocks a secret character), I might wonder what raging killer Kirby might turn into when inserting Grand Theft Auto ;)

Re:Easter Egg

[xtracto]

Nah... you should see download and apply the patch to unlock the secret level where Kirby can do a certain nice blowjob to Coo or Rick...

Re:Adblock

[Anonymous Coward]

Just because a review is positive doesn't mean it's an ad. Conversely, there are some reviews that *are* ads. But, the main point is, just because you disagree with the reviewer and want to maintain a cynical, "everyting sucks" attitude doesn't mean that the reviewer was bribed.

Re:Adblock

[Joehonkie]

I've written reviews that weren't advertisements before. Like Driv3r. I don't think there were any reviews of that game that were an advertisement.

Re:Obligatory Penny-Arcade

[NastyNate]

http://www.penny-arcade.com/view.php?date=2005-06- 08

Not really

[alvinrod]

I think the system itself is limited by the gimmicky nature of the two screen system.

The system is in no way limited by either the two screens or touch functionality. Those actually make games like Kirby: Canvas Curse possible. Could you do the same on a PSP, GameCube, or any other system for that matter?

If you want to talk about things that limit the system, you'd be better to point out the lack of analog control stick, inability to play GB or GBC games, and other things it can't do.

Do you absolutely need both screens for every single game? No. Do you need touch functionality either? No. But they both have interesting applications that make games like Kirby's Canvas Curse possible.

The extra features that the DS has might not be vital to every single game, nor should they be, but that can provide additional functionality to games like a map or status screen that's easy accessible without requiring that the game be paused.

Re:Not really

[Anonymous Coward]

it could've been done on the tapwave.

Re:Not really

[Aeiri]

The system is in no way limited by either the two screens or touch functionality. Those actually make games like Kirby: Canvas Curse possible. Could you do the same on a PSP, GameCube, or any other system for that matter?

Yes, all of those. If you mean the touchscreen, then on a PDA. What does the second screen do? Oh that's right, it has a map, which has been done since the days of Nintendo on one screen.

Do you absolutely need both screens for every single game? No. Do you need touch functionality either? No. But they both have interesting applications that make games like Kirby's Canvas Curse possible.

What application does the second screen create? It's always a map or a menu screen, which was already a part of every game to begin with. The touchpad idea was a decent one, people just need to find more ways to use it. I think they would have been better off if they only had one screen, it would use less power, take up less room, have a longer lasting battery, and they could make the graphics of the other screen more powerful.

...but that can provide additional functionality to games like a map or status screen that's easy accessible without requiring that the game be paused.

If I'm accessing a menu screen, you better believe I want the game to be paused! I don't want to have to find a place where I can't get attacked by random creatures or have to constantly keep an eye on a second screen to make sure I'm not being attacked when I'm trying to manage my items.

Re:Not really

[Toby_Tyke]

What application does the second screen create? It's always a map or a menu screen, which was already a part of every game to begin with. Have you played Metroid Prime First Hunt? Because it's the only FPS I have ever played on a console that did not feel clunky. The reason? The touch screen alows very "mouse like" aiming and turning. Have you played Warioware? Hundreds of mini games that just could not be done on a joypad.

Re:Adblock

[Anonymous Coward]

I bet if it was for the psp or a halo review you would be crowing about it being a public service.

Re:Adblock

[Schlemphfer]

This isn't news, it's an advertisement.

If it's a fun and innovative videogame for a new platform, I'd welcome a review. Unless there's evidence that Slashdot or the reviewer have a financial interest in selling this game, I'm not inclined to complain.

Having said that, there have been loads of occasions on Slashdot when the submitted review is a thinly and ineptly disguised advertisement. It doesn't appear to me on first glance that this is one of those times.

Obligatory Penny-Arcade Ref

[birder]

Curses, you beat me to the VGCats one.

http://www.penny-arcade.com/view.php?date=2005-06- 08&res=l

Re:Adblock

[TrippTDF]

If you are spreading information on a product, even just reviewing it, it's promoting that product. you are making someone think about it and be aware of it. Isn't that the nature of advertising in the first place?

You knew it was coming...

[Eohl]

Penny Arcade comic and Tycho's newspost reviewing the game.

Kirby CC is the best game out for the DS

[slashzero]

This game was the best new game for the DS. Mario DS was fun but it wasn't new. It just was the best...

Re:Kirby CC is the best game out for the DS

[PeelBoy]

Try Meteos. When I first got it I was like.. eh.. yeah.. puzzle game.. but damn it's addiciting. I play a few games and then put it down only to find my self picking it back up 2 mins later to play some more. Especially during comericals. The 2 min time trial games are great for that. I haven't played Kirby in a while because of Meteos. Damn.

My heart be still!

[Shimmer]

Inlines images in a Slashdot story? Wow! It's so... graphical. I can hardly believe it.

Re:My heart be still!

[rob_squared]

I use Lynx you insensitive clod!

Re:My heart be still!

[iamlucky13]

Then read the stinking alternate text, you lazy bum!

It really is quite fun

[Anonymous Coward]

I have to admit i was sceptical on the whole DS thing until a freind let me try out this game on it. Needless to say i can see why this handheld is outselling the PSP. This game is just FUN. Pure and simple.

On the one hand it's simple and easy to jump in and out of, perfect for a handheld system. On the other hand it an be a much more complex experience, it all depends on how much time you have to put into it.

There's a similar game like this with yoshi and baby mario from the snes yohsi's island game. I hear it's pretty good as well.

Re:It really is quite fun

[Lumpy]

Yeah, let's ignore the fact that it's less than 1/2 the price of the PSP at most places.

Parents will get the kid a DS and a game over getting them a PSP any day.

I keep thinking about getting myself a PSP, but then I look at the game linup, the insane prices on those games and end up glad that I bought an archos Gmini 400 and a DS instead. I get games ,movies, music and multimedia all for the same cash (Archos Gmini 245.00 DS $139.00) I spend $384.00 versus the $399.00 for the PSP...

dont get me wrong, the PSP is darn sexxy, but not worth the price tag in any way, shape or form.

Re:It really is quite fun

[FLAGGR]

The PSP is only 50$ more than the DS in the US. I have NO idea where you got half price. I hate to break it to you, but I think, although price may be a factor, that there might be a little more to it.

Re:It really is quite fun

[gameboyhippo]

Where are you getting your PSPs from!? The DS is $150 USD and the PSP is $250 USD

Re:It really is quite fun

[PhosterPharms]

Incorrect. The PSP is $100 more than the DS, as of July 28th, 2005.

According to ebgames.com....

Nintendo DS is $149, including a demo of Metroid Prime: Hunters
PSP is $249, including a 32mb Memory Stick Duo, and a set of headphones

Also, if you would have bought a DS last month, you would have gotten a copy of Super Mario 64 DS for free, further lowering the effective cost into a range where it would, in fact, cost less than half of a PSP.

Personally, I plan on picking up a DS and one of the new GPX2s for my portable emulation fix. I have yet to see any games even be announced which would compell me to purchase a PSP.

Re:It really is quite fun

[buffer-overflowed]

That simply means that to the majority of consumers the PSP doesn't offer enough value to justify the price-tag. Whereas the DS does, to a 2:1 ratio. And the GBA did, to something like a 30:1 ratio.

It really doesn't either. You can get cheaper, better, single-function devices that do everything PSP does.

The only compelling reason to buy a PSP is the games, and the only game I've seen that's worth it is Lumines. Which is a game there is no technical reason I can't play on my freakin' cell phone. Which means it's not worth the $250 price tag. Just freakin' port it to the GBA or make a version for my celly already.

That's why the PSP isn't selling too well, and the nature of the industry is that if you don't get momentum quickly, you never do... unless you drop bucketloads of cash into it.

Re:It really is quite fun

[Anonymous Coward]

Um dude the PSP is going for $399.00 in stores around here. and last time I checked my math, $139.00 was less than 1/2 of $399.00

Re:Adblock

[op12]

What about a bad review? That could discourage someone from buying something, and that's not really advertising, where the intent is to sell the product. As long as the review is objective, reviewing and advertising are not necessarily synonymous.

Knowing what we do

[Anonymous Coward]

Considering Zonk's track record, this review has got to be a dupe. :)

Why games aren't described as "fun"

[Anonymous Coward]

Game review don't tell you if a game is "fun" because it is not a quantifiable term. Is Battlefield 2 fun? I think so, my friend doesn't.

The simple fact of the matter is that in professional journalism (which game reviewrs are moving to, the days of Daily Radar are over) you can't communicate with your audiance using vague terms like "fun". You might as well tell me the game is also fuzzy.

Instead, most professional reviwes describe the gameplay in detail, drawing reference to similar games so that readers can make connections. (ie- I liked Counter Strike, so I will probably like Battlefied 2 also.)

It's disenginious to accuse reviewrs of not being interested in communicating the entertainment value of a game; it's just that they have become good enough at it that using vague terms like "fun" are no longer necessary.

Re:Why games aren't described as "fun"

[nintendo_is_a_cereal]

Interestingly enough I went to a lecture on campus with some prominent game designers and one of the questions asked was whether or not "fun" is the best measure for judging a game. I don't remember the complete answer given, but I remember there being some discussion as games "grow and mature" that perhaps we should look at how a game leaves us thinking or feeling beyond just "did we have fun playing it".

Re:Why games aren't described as "fun"

[psychopsybin]

Are you implying that, Presentation, Sound, Graphics, Gameplay, Lasting Appeal are quantifiable terms? I think there is a interesting situation in the Gaming Magazine/Website industry where they actually think those catagories are somehow Quantifying terms. These critics have a identity crisis, they think they are journalists when really what they are doing is critiqueing art.

Re:Why games aren't described as "fun"

[buffer-overflowed]

Yea, I love the original dawn of the dead. A lot of people would call it schlock horror crap.

Same fucking thing.

It's art. You can't quantify it outside of bugs present. It's either a good game or it isn't. And that's highly subjective.... unless we're talking mario kart. In which case, if you don't like it you don't have a soul.

Don't try. Unless it's the godfather of videogames, people are GOING to disagree with you.

This is why most reviews are total bullshit. This is why Ebert(probably the ONLY living film critic of any note) hates the star rating system(which he only uses out of respect for critics past).

Re:It's ok...

[cowscows]

What the hell does that mean? It's limited by having two screens? You mean it can't play games designed for three screens? I guess you're right. Nintendo is ripping us all off.

Re:Adblock

[Anonymous Coward]

Isn't a review supposed to be assigning some sort of value judgement? Thus, any positive review would be an advertisement, while a negative review would not. By definition, a review is not objective. Though you may describe a game objectively, at some point you need to assign a subjective measure of quality. (Actually, I suppose one could write a purely objective review of a game, describing the game scenario, how the game is controlled, and showing some screen shots, but that still wouldn't provide any information on whether it's worth buying.) Does that mean that reviewers should only write negative reviews for fear of "selling out"?

In this case, Zonk has said that he likes the game. That's good to know. Along with that, I can assess how much his opinion matters to me based on how much I've agreed/disagreed with his previous reviews. Personally, I don't really care one way or the other, since I don't own a DS.

Re:Adblock

[drsquare]

No, keep everything on the main page. If you don't like them turn them off in your preferences.

I for one like to read the articles in one big list, rather than having to dive through dozens of sections to find what I'm after. If you want to see what that's like look at Kuro5hin, there's no linear way of reading all the articles, you have to go through each section individually, and it's a fucking pain in the arse.

As for this review, he could at least have included some better screenshots, I couldn't tell what was going on in those tiny blurry things.

One large touchscreen?

[GFLPraxis]

If you had one large touchscreen, would not your finger conceal your target in FPS?

Touch Dic

[GFLPraxis]

Looks like they changed the name...

Here's the original name

Re:It's ok...

[Max_Abernethy]

I'd rather have gimmicks than ultra-high-quality graphics. Nintendo's past gimmicks have pleased me pretty well - Everyone said Kirby Tilt and Tumble's tilt sensor was a dumb gimmick, I had a good time. They said the same about GBA connectivity, I thought Four Swords was a great game and couldn't have worked otherwise.

It's a matter of personal taste. I'm sure the maturing of the new handhelds and the next generation of consoles will bear plenty of new iterations of classic games, and they'll be tons of fun and great looking and everything. No doubt Halo 3 will make a substantial contribution to my academic ruin. I don't think there's anything wrong with inmproving on existing formulas, a lot of people say the industry doesn't innovate enough but I'm certainly not bored of video games yet. Still, variety is fun too, and I like that there are people working on finding new ways to entertain me - shallow as the mechanisms they come up with may seem to you.

Need more imagination

[PeelBoy]

What's up with peoples lack of imagination these days?

It's fucking down right PATHETIC.

When I was younger I played the hell out of every NES game I could get my hand on and there was TONS of variety. It was great!

There is so much cool shit you could do with a game system that has 2 screens, a touch screen, A MIC!!! AND Wireless!! The possibilities are endless.

I swear to god though there are too many unimaginative people these days. You could stick them all in a room and tell them to brainstorm cool ideas for the DS and they'd be like "uhhhh.. uhm..... uhhh...hmmm... can it play grand theft auto 3: another fucking city?"

Seriously when you have sex do you ever try another position other than missionary?

Do kids these days decide they want to be a game developer NOT because they want to think of cool new games, but because.. well...fuck.. err.. is there any other reason? I mean.. Shit.. Making games these days must be as exciting as working on a fucking assembly line screwing the tops on bottles.

Re:Need more imagination

[geeber]

What's up with peoples lack of imagination these days?

It's fucking down right PATHETIC.

When I was younger I played the hell out of every NES game I could get my hand on and there was TONS of variety. It was great!

Or maybe it is just that you were younger then and as you have grown older you have become more discerning?

Re:Need more imagination

[Anonymous Coward]

Seriously when you have sex do you ever try another position other than missionary?

There are so many things wrong with that sentence when you take into account the context.

Re:Need more imagination

[Anonymous Coward]

When I was younger I played the hell out of every NES game I could get my hand on and there was TONS of variety. It was great!

Variety like, run left to right, smack the bad guy, run left to right some more, and reach goal. Repeat for 50 levels. Yeah gotta love that variety!

Re:Need more imagination

[patio11]

Seriously when you have sex do you ever try another position other than missionary?

You must be new here, five-digit user ID or no.

Re:Need more imagination

[AceJohnny]

Shit.. Making games these days must be as exciting as working on a fucking assembly line screwing the tops on bottles.

*ring*

Hello EA? Yeah, I'd like an innovative, fun game to play. What do you mean, explain that in terms of screwing tops on bottles?

*click*

Re:Need more imagination

[PeelBoy]

Not even close my friend. Do you honestly want me to dig through my NES collection just to prove you wrong?

I still have most of my old games and I still play them.

I can describe today's games in an over simplified way too, you know.

Re:Need more imagination

[PeelBoy]

I typed it during the heat of the moment.

Re:It's ok...

[seebs]

Not a bad OS at all, but I think it's limited by the gimmicky nature of the command-line interface and the quirky insistence on "open source".

I got a DS for stuff like this. Is it "gimmicky"? Maybe it is. Paddle games were "gimmicky" too, but it turns out that there are games that are playable with a paddle or trackball, and annoying with a mouse or joystick.

I already have a handheld with a single screen and some controls and buttons. A faster one is not a big deal to me. A handheld with a touchscreen, a microphone, and a dual display is awfully neat.

I got a DS because there are games which are possible on a DS, that simply cannot be implemented playably on anything else. Canvas Curse is an excellent example.

How long until this gets old?

[llevity]

There are already a couple of games out for the DS where you have to draw a line or series of platforms to keep a character safe.

Don't get me wrong, it's neat. I'm just hoping a bunch of 'me too!'s don't pop up, because it's the gimmick that makes it cool. We don't really need a version with Mario, Kirby, and then Sam Fisher and Gorden Freeman and some random character that some other company develops.

Re:How long until this gets old?

[TheSkepticalOptimist]

Believe me, its gotten old already.

The biggest downfall of the DS will be its dual screen and touch screen feature. Once the initial drive to develop unique and custom apps that utilize these features slows down (if it hasn't all ready), games will start cloning the look and feel of other games and users will grow tired of the same old concept being rehashed again and again.

While the DS has proven more successful then Nintendos Virtual GameBoy, the story will be the same, developers will also grow tired of adapting existing games or try and force creativity in order to make use of the touchscreen and dual screen features. How many games have been released for the DS that are based on other platform games but force touch screen control in some way that just doesn't make sense or doesn't work well (like Metroid).

In any regard, I am seeing many new games stop trying to do something novel with the second screen and simply uses it for some stats or interactive settings screen while all the main action takes place on the primary screen. For the most part, you don't even use the touch screen except to change weapons or change a preference, this is hardly innovation at work.

Perhaps from a company that actually has made 6 or 7 Mario Party games and variations of the same theme with different key characters, the idea of rehasing old concepts obviouisly hasn't grown stale for Nintendo even though consumers are no longer fooled or amused by the lack of variation

Re:How long until this gets old?

[LKM]

The biggest downfall of the DS will be its dual screen and touch screen feature.

Yeah, of course. Because you simply can't do any good games if you have that many hardware features at your disposal. Obviously, the less a console can do, the better the games are going to be. Which is why we're all still using the VCS 2600 with the single-button-joystick. Or something like that.

Come on, have you even played Metroid? I hate FPS games on consoles. I hate playing them with dual analog sticks. It's like steering a car while sitting on the roof. Metroid on the DS is the first FPS I really like to play. It plays awesome. Aiming is very precise and quick, almost like on a PC with a mouse. It's a great game, and it's a great game thanks to the touch screen.

Finally, there's nothing wrong with games not using the DS's features in any innovative way. Using the second screen only for stats is still better than not having a second screen. Tons of games would have been way better if the map was always visible (Castlevania!). Even if it's not innovative, it can enhance the usability and flow (no need to pause if you want to quickly look at the map) of these games greatly.

The idea that the new features of the DS could somehow be bad for games because developers "grow tired of forcing creativity" is kind of weird.

Re:How long until this gets old?

[tepples]

How many games have been released for the DS that are based on other platform games but force touch screen control in some way that just doesn't make sense or doesn't work well (like Metroid).

The Metroid demo works just as well as Quake III ever did. It really does feel almost like playing with keyboard and mouse.

Re:How long until this gets old?

[JackAxe]

You're making very general assumptions about a system that still has great potential. Overall everything you've stated in your post is quite general and can easily be applied to any console.

Comparing a DS to a Virtual Boy is completely off in so many ways. The two systems are barely in the same category. The virtualy boy didn't do well, because of its "red" screen, ( Which caused seizures for some peeps by the way. ) and the fact it was very awkward to play. The price was also a bit high at the time. The DS shares none of thes traits, and for larger hands like mine is a nice break from the cramped controls of other portables.

And pretty much any portable has been more succesfull than the VB. The DS just happens to be the top selling portable right now and its initial sells were even better than the SP. So it has proven very successful for Nintendo and continues to do well.

I don't agree with you at all about the Metroid comment. The stylus is the second best thing next to a mouse for a FPS in my opinion, and really makes these types of games enjoyable on a handheld and worth playing. I bought Golden Eye DS, a game I would "never" buy on any of the newer consoles, because I new it would have great controls, and I wasn't dissapointed. The game concept itself is nothing new, and one of the big reasons I'm so burned out on most console games. But the controls as mentioned, and the multiplayer are new for a portable game system. The DS added a spice of life to a genre I had given up on.

I'm perfectly fine with a second screen for stats, or interactive control, because it "works." The games I personally like can greatly benifiet from this type of setup; RPGs, strategies, adventures. And of course the games I'm so so on like FPS.

Anyways, I preorderd Nintendogs, a game concept that is not new, but has been well executed because of the DS's setup. So unless you can "innovate" a better portable game machine than a DS, I'll personally stick with Nintendo. They make games that I enjoy and consoles that are a fresh of breath air in this sea of the same.

Re:How long until this gets old?

[Anonymous Coward]

We're sorry your mom bought you a PSP for your birthday. Better luck next year, eh?

Sounds familiar...

[iolaus]

Sounds like Nintendo DS has reinvented Lemmings :)

Re:It's ok...

[richman555]

This game isn't limited by the fact it has 2 screens. I'd say the only limitation is I wish the top screen was also touch sensitive. Other than that, this Kirby game rocks! It definitely makes me want to play more stylus games.

The game gets better even after you beat it!

[celerityfm]

If you "beat the game", and by that I mean finish every level and defeat every boss including the final boss, the game gets even better afterwards because you unlock a new way to play through each level again. Collecting all the medals was definitely not meant to be done the first time through and indeed impossible to do the first time through.

When you play it through again, with all your drawing skills in hand, its really a different experience, especially with the bonus unlocked.

Additionally, something I haven't seen mentioned in too many places, try drawing a loop for kirby to roll through and kirby will get a boost from it!

Re:Adblock

[Metostopholes]

So are you gonna say the same next time there's an article about a security hole in Windows? I mean, that IS spreading information about a product...

HAL Labs

[tgibbs]

Is this the same HAL Labs that was responsible for the awesome Apple II game, Sheila?

Re:HAL Labs

[Anonymous Coward]

That's just a coincidence. Technically, the company that develops the Kirby games is called HAL Laboratory (note the nonplurality). It is only known as HAL Labs colloquially.

Re:Adblock

[TrippTDF]

"There is no such thing as bad press."

I think there is a threshhold of common-knowledge here, where this is a new product and Windows is not.

Gimmik? I think not

[gameboyhippo]

I think having two screens is great. It's nice being able to have a map in most games or a menu system that I can glance at and touch. I bought Kirby CC last month and it is great! I only wish it would have had more bosses.

Does anyone remember...

[advid.net]

... a game called the Teenies ?
I've played this game on macintosh, a really great fun (it used to make me laugth to tears) and also challenging.
I remember it after 12 years and I still wonder how could I find it somewhere to play again (google isn't relevant for this name).

It has the same kind of look as Kirby Canvas Curse, with animals (balls of hairs with arms and big feet); but from a closer and upper view of the puzzle/maze.

Pausing in multiplayer?

[tepples]

If you mean the touchscreen, then on a PDA.

Nintendo owns Kirby. Nintendo doesn't make a PDA. Nintendo doesn't develop for any other company's hardware. You'd possibly get SomeGenericCharacter Canvas Curse, but not Kirby.

I think they would have been better off if they only had one screen

Sony PSP is so much more expensive than Nintendo DS partly because it's so much cheaper to make two small defect-free screens than one large defect-free screen.

If I'm accessing a menu screen, you better believe I want the game to be paused!

So how will you access a menu screen during a multiplayer battle? You can't pause that as easily without all other players complaining.

I don't want to have to find a place where I can't get attacked by random creatures or have to constantly keep an eye on a second screen to make sure I'm not being attacked when I'm trying to manage my items.

If you were live-action role playing, and foes were attacking you, would you have a chance to ask them to stop so that you can switch weapons? If you want to manage your items in a real-time game, you can always head back to town.

Re:Pausing in multiplayer?

[cornface]

If you were live-action role playing, and foes were attacking you, would you have a chance to ask them to stop so that you can switch weapons?

Most likely, if you are live action role playing and being attacked you are being attacked BECAUSE you are live action role playing. Thus you deserve the sound beating that is sure to ensue.

Fetal position for the duration.

YESSSSSSSSSS

[ripbruger]

I remember playing a demo of the Teenies on my cousin's old Mac that his Dad was borrowing from the school he worked for over the summer. That game was fun, I wish I could get my hands on it again.

Re:YESSSSSSSSSS

[advid.net]

So the name of the game is correct, I was starting to wonder if I had made a mistake.
BTW I think I've also played to the demo version.

What have you done to get it again ? Any search ? Do you have some over clues ?

Re:YESSSSSSSSSS

[ripbruger]

Just tried searching for it last night, all I could find on google was links to pictures of teen girls....and I'm not getting caught in that trap. Tried searching http://www.the-underdogs.net/ but no luck.

Very, very long.

[LKM]

There are already a couple of games out for the DS where you have to draw a line or series of platforms to keep a character safe.

There are already a couple of games out for the NES where you have to push the B button to make a character jump from one platform to another. Do we really need a version of this game with Icarus, a Bounty Hunter or the 7up-Spot? This is bound to get old soon!

There are already a couple of games out for the Xbox where you have to run around in a 3D world shooting at monsters. Do we really need a version of this game with Master Chief, a Bounty Hunter or that weird id guy? This is bound to get old soon!

Or maybe not.

I don't think the basic idea of using the stick to draw platforms is any more repetitive than using the B button to jump. I don't mind playing dozens of these games as long as they're as good as Kirby.

By the way, this is only the second DS game (after the Yoshi game) with this kind of gameplay.

How do people get screen/video captures from DS?

[goodenoughnickname]

What hardware is used take screenshots and video from a portable device, like the DS or PSP? I know there's nothing for consumers (though a TV-out mod for the GBA exists), but I'm just so damned curious.

Does anyone know?

Re:It's ok...

[Anonymous Coward]

I think the system itself is limited by the gimmicky nature of the two screen system.

1) Could it be that this is your desperate try to justify your PSP purchase here at slashdot?

2) Do you own a DS?

3) Could you define "limited" for us?

Point Taken. Kirby is "Fun".

[patio11]

I've only played the Japanese version but I assume you guys get pretty much the same thing -- not like Kirby has a million lines of witty dialog, right? Anyhow, Kirby Touch! or whatever you call it is fun.

Its fun because the average time to play through an entire level (i.e. from time you can powerdown safely to time you can powerdown safely and still have progress) is under five minutes (and generally under three). If you have enough time to physically get the DS out of your pocket you have time to play Kirby.

Its fun because it has a nice combination of intuitive, easy to grasp gameplay in the story mode and a bonus mode which is the best puzzle game I have played in years. Picture The Incredible Machine, except controlled with a stylus and involving much more Kirby. The time trial Gold medals are so down to the wire in some cases that you have to memorize the timing of an (offscreen) cannon half way down the level and make SURE you get to it at the right point in its cycle because if you have to wait two seconds for it to reorient itself to the direction you need to travel in you will fall to silver. Some of the paint trials (don't know what they call them in English) are similarly anal -- try getting Gold on RocketA, its really a skill map. I like the flexibility to have a nice six-year-old-can-play game and a hard-core let-me-show-you-how-its-meant-to-be-played game wrapped into one cute package.

Its fun because the saccarine sweet art style is everything you expected of Kirby. Big fountains of lava which are contextually menacing but kind of cute, etc.

Its fun because the gameplay mechanic is simple but the environments make it wonderfully compelling. You have five controls in the game -- tap Kirby in normal mode to have him do a dash attack (if Kirby hits most enemies, he will kill them). Tap an enemy to stun them (if Kirby hits a stunned enemy, he will kill them). Draw a line on the screen to spill out a rainbow, which acts as an impenetrable barrier for enemies and Kirby, and also accelerates Kirby if he is on top or below it (he "sticks" to it). And when you are drawing him a rainbow through a cavern of lava ("Oh no you don't Kirby! I gotcha! This way!") its just fun.

Seriously, the game cannot be described without reference to a childish sense of joy. Do you have another word for that in English?

Got a link?

[rohlfinator]

I've been on the fence about the GBA Movie Player for a few months now, but with this revalation, I think I'll finally have to get one. It's a heck of a lot cheaper than any GBA flash cart. Do you have any more info about it? I would hugely appreciate it.

Re:Got a link?

[stephendl]

http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=252&prod ucts_id=3983&

I bought one about a month ago and I'm very impressed. And at $US25 - well.

Pac-Pix

[sdsichero]

Kirby looks really fun... I think the first game I saw on the DS that made me think "that really does need a touch screen" was Pac-Pix... any Pac-Pix love here? Nintendogs looks like a fun non-game too...

Here you go!

[GFLPraxis]

http://www.ndshb.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=s howpage&pid=26
There you go, how to hack the GBA MP to run homebrew.

You'll need PassMe to run DS code.

Fun?

[j-joshers]

"Rarely is it possible to describe a game anymore as simply "fun", and to some extent that's a credit to the growth of the industry." I dont understand this reasoning. Half-Life 2 is fun. World of Warcraft is fun. Metal Gear Solid 3 is fun. San Andreas is fun. Super Monkey Ball Deluxe is fun. Morrowind is fun (and Oblivion will almost surely be). WipeOut Pure is fun. Rome Total War is fun. Etc. A lot of these games have other adjectives too - intense, exciting, addictive, etc., but theyre fun, too. Theyre fun to play and fun to beat. I say theyre fun because I enjoy playing them. The nice graphics, physics engines, etc. are just bonuses. Heaven forbid the developers put great graphics and technology behind a fun game! OH NO!

Katamari Damacy on DS

[MilenCent]

I'm unsure if the Katamari Damacy version on DS is for real. The only information we have on it, that I'm aware of, is that Nintendo Power mentioned it once.

I mean, it'd be absolutely awesome if it were true. Katamari Damacy is a much better fit with Nintendo's design philosophies after all. I just don't know if it is.

HAL Labs and Commodore (?!)

[MilenCent]

The creators of Sheila seem not to the same guys, who might be "H.A.L. Labs."

However, the creators of the Commodore 64 and VIC-20 cart game Pinball Spectacular, just might be the same guys. Seems they did some development for the C-64 under its Japanese guise, the MAX Machine, and that might be where Commodore and HAL's paths cross. But more research is necessary.

Wrong name!! Try "Tinies"

[advid.net]

The same for me. Because we've mispelled the name!
Laurence M. just e-mailed me this (no post as it seems):

i saw your /. post, and well, kalisto software made a game titled "The Tinies" http://mac.the-underdogs.org/index.php?show=game&i d=419 It's abandoneware. To play it, try basilisk II

I'm just about to run a new search. (I'm showing my e-mail for a while, so we can keep in touch outside this slashdot topic).

Tinies: some info and more to come

[advid.net]

Here is the harvest:

http://users.foxvalley.net/~joko/lib.html
(it seems this games had a previous version for Apple IIGS)

Description: Combining 3200 color graphics with amusing sound effects and poetic documentation, The Tinies is an arcade style timed strategy game with 100 levels. Using your keypad, your goal is to move multiple animated Tinie onto their "sleeper pads." On beginning levels, that's pretty easy to do; however, you will eventually run into objects that block your path, and you'll need to quickly figure out alternate routes.

http://www.nonoche.com/tinies.html
(This site needs Shockwave, I couldn't see it with linux)

http://www.gamegenie.com/cheats/mac/TheTinies.shtm l
(cheat codes to different levels)

http://www.grenier-du-mac.net/fiches/tinies.htm
(binary to download, some pictures, but not exactly what I remember, it has a much nicer look and was more sophisticated)

http://www.ncf.carleton.ca/~ds876/apple.html
(thanks to this page, I've found the company who made the Tinies, along with onwer's names)

Finally I've e-mailed them to ask about what we are looking for.
Again we'd better leave this /. topic, if you want more info feel free to email me.

Re:How do people get screen/video captures from DS

[bitwiseNomad]

It's probably a feature of the DS dev kits.

Finally got a chance to reply

[ripbruger]

I got it running under Classic Emulation on my mac mini. Had to kick it down to 256 color, which just seems to mess everything up. Got Basilisk II for OS X, but it isn't anywhere near finished. So I guess I'll have to get the Windows one running to play an old OS 7 game that won't run under OS X. Kinda weird when you think about it.