First First Impressions

Well, it was confirmed to me yet again yesterday that I have the best wife ever, 'cause she let me buy the new and awesome Kirby Super Star Ultra for the DS! That means I now own 450 games! In addition, there are a bunch of games that I started recently, so I thought I'd share some first impressions.

Kirby Super Star Ultra, as I explained recently, is a remake of an old SNES classic, with some new content. And boy, is it fun! The graphics are classic Kirby. Everything is brightly colored and all the characters are smoothly and neatly animated. Plus, the game actually comes with fully animated 3-D CGI cutscenes. Now that's awesome.

So far, I've only played 2 modes: Spring Breeze, and Gourmet Race. Spring Breeze is a short, but sweet standard Kirby mode. There are only about 4 levels, but the music, level designs, and characters are reminiscient of good old Kirby memories. Great fun! Plus, in this mode, instead of simply copying powers, you can also gain allies. If you copy a power and then press the Y button, the power turns into a helper. Then you can gain another power and have double attack ability! Additionally, you can play this mode 2-player, with one player being the helper. You can even do it if only player has the game. Awesome!

Gourmet Race is a footrace against King Dedede. But while you're running, you have to grab as many food items as you can. There are 3 races in total. Every time you win a race, you get 30 extra points, so it's important to not only grab food, but to be quick about it. This can also be played 2-player, even if only one person has the game. Double awesome!

So the game has been good so far. My only complaint is that you can't hold the up button to inflate anymore. This has proved to be a minor annoyance, since I'm used to using that move. But I'm guessing it has something to do with that interfering with other moves. So, no biggie.

Another game I started recently is TMNT 2: Battle Nexus for the GBA. It's a lot like the original GBA TMNT game, as far as graphics and gameplay go. The story is quite a bit different, though, even though it doesn't quite follow exactly the same storyline as the cartoon (nerd alert!)

There are two types of levels in this game: there are fighting levels, and there are shooting levels. Since the Battle Nexus takes place in out space, about a third of the levels involve flying some sort of alien craft and shooting stuff. The fighting levels are quite a bit different from the original, mainly because at the start of each level, you have to fight without your weapon, until you can locate it. This can be frustrating at times, but so far, it's nothing I couldn't figure out without too much trouble.

Also included is a cool new race mode. It plays a lot like the Rainbow Ride minigame from Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland. Plus there are 18 levels instead of 3. They are quite a bit harder and more complex, but I say it's an excellent addition.

Well, we have time for one more. And by time, I mean patience. A while back, I started Metal Slug Anthology for the Wii. It has Metal Slug 1-6 and Metal Slug X, all on once disc. Plus, it was only like $17 at CD World. Man, I love that place.

Anyways, I've been through most of the games, and they have been a serious blast (no pun intended). They are all virtually the same game with new levels and enemies, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

One thing I do like about the Metal Slug games and that they all kind of tie together. The bosses from the first games apeear in cameos in the later ones. And the further you go, the bigger the plot and bosses seem to get. Great fun. In short, I almost have it done.

So, once I can get a little more free time, I can work on my 108 in 2008 goal. Hoo-rah!

-benjamines

Can't Wait To: Go home, take a nap, play Kirby Super Star Ultra for the Nintendo DS Portable Video Game System