For rhythm-lovers it is, indeed, heaven - A Review of Rhythm Heaven

Before diving into my review of Rhythm Heaven for the Nintendo DS, I would just like to remind you that I reviewed the Wii sequel, Rhythm Heaven Fever, first. Being out of order and all, I will try to separate the two games in my mind to give the DS original its just rewards.

Rhythm Heaven is an E-rated rhythm game for the Nintendo DS system. It's controlled almost entirely on the touch screen, with the player holding the DS in the sideways "book" position. Righties and lefties are both welcome! The player completes a series of rhythm-based mini games by tapping, sliding, and flicking the stylus on the touch screen.

Visually, Rhythm Heaven is a real treat. The graphics are decidedly cartoony, but each mini game differs from the others in some small way. The hardware of the Nintendo DS is beginning to show its age at this point, but Rhythm Heaven's graphical appeal is hard to deny even now.

The music in Rhythm Heaven is admittedly a mixed bag. The songs are, more often than not, quite forgettable. And the handful of vocal performances within the bunch are shoddy at best. However, there are a couple of standouts in the soundtrack. The "Built to Scale" and "Rhythm Rally" tunes are two such examples.

Though the music itself isn't perfect by any means, it does serve to create some really great rhythmic gameplay. Like I mentioned before, tapping, sliding, and flicking the stylus on the touch screen comprise the majority of control in Rhythm Heaven. It may seem like a simple control scheme, but it lends itself to a rhythmic precision that I find very appealing. If there is anything to complain about control-wise, it's that the force needed to complete successful flicking in this game can be quite taxing on a touch screen.

Rhythm Heaven is a challenging, but rewarding, game. Medals earned by acquiring Superb scores go toward unlockables like rhythm toys and endless games, which are fairly satisfying diversions. Perfect scores earn reading materials and music tracks, both of which can be accessed through the Cafe, where players are meant to go to relax and take a breather from the main game. Overall, Rhythm Heaven is a surprisingly deep game, especially considering you can nab a copy for very cheap nowadays.

I don't typically mention sound effects in my reviews, but it would be hard to slide by without noting those in Rhythm Heaven. Often, the game's strange and quirky sound effects are there to help the player get into the rhythm's flow, but they turn out to be integral elements to the game's overall charm. The dancing amphibians in "Frog Hop" and the voice in "Lockstep" are two particularly memorable examples.

Conclusion
You would have to be really picky to not find something good in Rhythm Heaven. For fans of the music genre, it's got intelligent, precise rhythms to master. For those just looking to add another great game to their DS collection for cheap, Rhythm Heaven is a steal. Its charm and gameplay alone merit a purchase.

First Impressions: Kingdom Hearts Re:coded

In preparation for the release of Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance, I have been frantically trying to catch up in the Kingdom Hearts series. A few weeks ago, I was about 10 hours into Kingdom Hearts II, but playing through it was a very slow process: I thought the combat uninspired and the storyline stale.

So I'm afraid to say I quit. I hoped that the two Kingdom Hearts entries on Nintendo DS would impress me.

Enter Kingdom Hearts Re:coded for the Nintendo DS. I'm glad to report that Re:coded is a really excellent RPG.This may seem strange if you know the game's basic story: Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, and Jiminy Cricket are trying to repair Jiminy's journal from the first Kingdom Hearts adventure. To do so, they enlist the help of a digital Sora. The player will traverse all the same worlds that are in the first Kingdom Hearts game.

In theory, it may seem kinda lame, but rest assured Re:coded and the original Kingdom Hearts are far from the same game. Button-mashy combat that is a staple of the series is present in Re:coded, but a variety of other play styles are thrown into the mix with pleasing results. A well-designed platforming stage at the end of Traverse Town is one such example. My favorite gameplay deviation has to be the turn-based battle system in Olympus Coliseum.

Re:coded has really impressed me up to this point, so I can't help but be optimistic about Dream Drop Distance.

Nintendo Music: Spirit Tracks Opening Theme

Give this song a good listen, it's only a minute long...don't you just want to go on an adventure after hearing this! Oh, wait! You can go on an adventure after hearing this! It's easy: just go pick up The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks for Nintendo DS!

About the song, though...how can you go wrong by starting a song with that iconic Zelda theme music, anyway? It's almost as if it's saying, "Hey. This game is gonna be great...you're in for a real treat." But not every Zelda game can depend on the original theme song for its music, and the Spirit Tracks opening theme sets itself apart quickly and in amazing fashion. Oh, and wait until you get the actual game: chugga-chugga sounds from Link's in-game steam engine add a lot to the tune. I suppose you could check that out right here on this YouTube video if you don't plan on getting the game (shame on you, if that's the case!).

I ain't got nobody...to play games with!

"Race against a friend in the new local wireless mode!" Do you realize how many times I've read this or something like it on the backs of game cases?! Too many times for my liking! Why is that, you ask? Why, I don't have friends to play with over local wireless connection, that's why!

This option generally occurs in DS games. Mario Kart DS, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, New Super Mario Bros., Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days...these are some examples I have personally encountered. In many instances, local wireless play can be enjoyed with a single game card, but the experience is a lot more comprehensive when each participant has a copy of the game. My younger sister owns a DS, so we find mild enjoyment in playing Mario Kart DS in the limited single game card mode.

But gaming as a hobby occupies only a small niche here in my little community. I have lots of friends: but few, if any, have interest in video games. Even the handful who do share my interest don't tend to own the same systems and games as me.

That's what multiplayer Wii games are for, I suppose. Even my non-gamer friends have found appeal in Wii Sports and New Super Mario Bros. Wii. So have a great weekend and play lots of social games! I, on the other hand, will be busy playing intense single player games like Kingdom Hearts and The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker.

Why Nintendogs+cats has a very small niche: A Review

I'll tell you right now the type of people this game is best suited to: First, those who desperately want pets, but aren't allowed them. And second, those who did not get to experience the original Nintendogs on the Nintendo DS system.

Of course, this game adds quite a bit to the original formula to spice things up. The graphics, for one, are about ten times more realistic. And I dare not forget to mention that it's all in stereoscopic 3D. The little pets are noticeably more responsive to voice commands. AR compatibility adds a special touch. Lets see...I guess that's about it.

Oh, wait, there is one more thing. Kittens, of course! How could I forget! I'll tell you how: they don't do anything! They just sit and...look cute. I suppose I'm being a bit harsh, though: kittens do add a welcome touch of variety. And it's not like I had to pay the $800 for one...

If there's one other thing I want to mention before this review comes to a conclusion, it's this: Nintendogs+cats is not for hardcore gamers who want that deep, satisfying plot with killer gameplay. It seems pretty obvious, but I did happen across an unhappy customer on my internet travels who sent the game back, calling it "booooooooring". Well, what did you expect?

Club Nintendo...'Nuff Said

Ah, the joy of getting free stuff...there's no comparison. And for a huge Nintendo fan like myself, it's about ten times better when that stuff is exclusive Nintendo gear. Club Nintendo is a great two-way process that benefits both Nintendo and its fans. Take ten minutes to register your Nintendo product, take a survey, and watch the coins flow into your account. Have the patience to collect a lot of coins, and you too can find amazing stuff waiting in your mailbox. What exactly makes this program so great?

A Huge Variety of Stuff to Choose From
Rewards range from 10-coin screensavers you can instantly download on your computer to re-created Game & Watch systems at a whopping 1200 coins. Need a matching set of Nintendo-themed folders and bookmarks for school? Club Nintendo has you covered! Want a cool, sleek case for your Nintendo DS Lite? Club Nintendo's got your back! Bags of all shapes and sizes, playing cards decorated with Nintendo characters, multi-colored Wii remote straps, Mario and Zelda posters...this is just a taste of what's up for grabs

Accumulate Enough Coins to Qualify for Special Rewards
Earn enough coins in any given year (July 1-June 30) to achieve gold, then platinum status. Not only do you get a cool badge on your Club Nintendo page, but you will also receive extra-cool rewards. Spending your hard-earned coins on other rewards throughout the year doesn't negate your progress toward gold or platinum status, so spend all you want and keep that elite status intact!

Other Benefits
Set up a family account, receive (or choose not to receive) e-mail newsletters from Nintendo, post in the official Nintendo forums, and enjoy being part of Nintendo culture with Club Nintendo. Your experience may be invaluable to a fellow Nintendo fan who has posted a question in the forums. You yourself may receive much-needed help in the forums.

So go on and enjoy your Nintendo products, but don't forget to spend that 10 minutes on Club Nintendo! I promise it is worth it if you frequently purchase Nintendo games and systems.

The Nintendo Way

Hey. My name is Holly, and I really like video games. Actually, I really like Nintendo. Get that straight right now, because I’ve essentially never been exposed to Xbox or PlayStation.

It’s great to be a Nintendo fan. Nintendo’s got Shigeru Miyamoto, for one. What’s that? Never heard of Shigeru Miyamoto?! He’s only a legend in the video game world! Here’s a clue: he designed both the Super Mario Bros. and Legend of Zelda series. He developed the games that set the golden standard for all video games to come. Seriously, he’s like, my idol.

But back to Nintendo in general. Nintendo is bold! Nintendo bravely leapt into the world of 3-D graphics back in the nineties with Super Mario 64. Nintendo reigns over the handheld gaming market with the mega-popular Nintendo DS system. Nintendo proved to the world that the idea of motion-based gaming could be more than just a gimmick. More than that, Nintendo has captured the heart (not to mention the time and money) of this young gamer. So here are my top ten reasons to love Nintendo:

10.       This is a minor point, but it’s important to the average gamer (that would be me)…Nintendo hardware is built tough. It gets crazy around my house sometimes, with a nine-year-old, a thirteen-year-old, a seventeen-year-old, and me living there. So it’s pretty obvious our Wii has gone through some rough moments. It’s been knocked over aplenty. Even when a game disc is in the system and running, knocking the console over doesn’t affect it at all. Our neighbor, on the other hand, knocked over an Xbox 360 while playing—irreversible damage to the disc made it completely worthless.

9.         Nintendo keeps its franchises close to its heart. When was the last time anyone saw a movie based on The Legend of Zelda or Super Mario Bros.? A TV show? There have been attempts—attempts that were so disastrous, every Nintendo fan on the planet just pretends they never happened. Nintendo is very protective of its property. Some may question why this is a good thing. Well, for one, a movie/TV show would detract from the experience of simply playing the games. Secondly, who knows how badly filmmakers would demolish the core principles that make these games so special? No, Nintendo is better off maintaining boundaries and keeping movie studios and TV networks away.

8.         Any product Nintendo puts out there is just saturated by the care and effort that was put into it. The developers involved love what they do and that comes through. I don’t believe the company would release any product, game, or system that they didn’t think was a quality, polished final product. Super Smash Bros. Brawl for Wii experienced two setbacks in release before finally making it into the hands of eager fans.

7.         Nintendo music dominates number 7 on this list! In fact, as I sit at my desk writing at this moment, I’m listening to the song Dark World from The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. My love of music combines with my love of Nintendo to create…a love of Nintendo music! Music in video games can be truly beautiful and truly terrifying, truly funky or truly traditional. The reason I emphasize the word ‘truly’ is that people, even gamers, tend to overlook the role music plays in video games. It adds to the experience like movie soundtracks add to their respective films, possibly even more so in games.

6.         Club Nintendo and the general way in which the company treats its consumers is really genuine. I’m not well-known, by any means, but I feel like I belong to this enormous community of gamers (possibly in part due to the fact that I comment and leave feedback on game trailers and such on YouTube). I’ve gotten at least five free items from Club Nintendo, all of which I have put to use spectacularly. The sense of unity among Nintendo and all its fans is something special.

Up next on “Nintendo Lifeline”…hey, this list isn’t finished yet! Check back soon to find out the final five best reasons to love Nintendo!