Preview Weekly 4/11/06
As the name suggests, Preview Weekly previews each and every game that will be hitting the shelves over the coming week. The feature previews every game from the Sunday to the next Saturday, meaning you know what to buy and what to leave well alone! Each game will receive a brief synopsis of the storyline and then will be previewed/reviewed by a variety of people/companies. At the moment I will be doing a preview along with the new look Nintendo The Official Magazine (taken from the magazine), GAME stores and Nintendo of Europe (rating will be taken from the current opinion section on the NoE game page. This may or may not reflect how good the game is). Over the coming weeks and months, I will add more people and companies who will review the games. But you can help! If you wish to review the games of the week, please leave your username and e-mail address at the bottom of this page and I will contact you with instructions of what to do or you can e-mail me at mailmrnintendo@gmail.com.
 
Quite a few big games this week, but a new Pokemon duo hits the streets this week…
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team (DS)
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team (GBA)
Age of Empires: The Age of Kings (DS)
Tomb Raider Legend (DS, GBA)
Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam (DS, GBA)
Flipper Critters (DS)
Scurge: Hive (DS)
Spongebob Squarepants: Creature from Krusty Krab (GC, GBA)

CLICK READ MORE TO READ ABOUT THIS WEEK’S GAME SELECTION AND REMEMBER TO VOTE FOR YOUR GAME OF THE WEEK!

GAME OF THE WEEK 28/10/06
Last week’s game of the week was
Need for Speed: Carbon for Gamecube

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team
DS
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team
GBA
10/11/06
Based off he long-running series of Mysterious Dungeon games by Chunsoft, this multi-title release (Red Rescue Force for the GBA, Blue Rescue Force for the DS) is an adventure game with semi-turnbased exploration of dungeons featuring characters from the Pokemon universe. It's up to the Rescue Force (Red in the GBA version, Blue in the DS version) to save Pokemon who've found themselves in trouble. While one of your goals is to figure out what exactly turned you into a Pokemon, you've also got to help Pokemon as part of the Rescue Force. You start off serving your duties with your original partner Pokemon at your side, but as you progress, more Pokemon join the Rescue Force and become selectable.
MY VIEW: Another unique idea to breath life into the Pokemon franchise. The DS game features slightly improved graphics and gameplay tweaks, whereas the GBA version is a simpler game. The DS version is probably better suited, but there is hardly any use of the two screens. 75%
Nintendo: The Official Magazine: Although the idea is interesting and the thought of being a Pokemon instead of training one is a fun twist, it’s a shame the game itself is a bit of a letdown, with repetitive and boring missions. 70%
Nintendo of Europe: Ever wondered what it would be like to be a Pokémon? You’re about to find out!
It’s all very mysterious. One day you were just a normal human being, the next you wake up in a strange land, transformed into a Pokémon. What happened to you? How can you regain your human shape? Solve these mysteries, battle and befriend hundreds of Pokémon and even go on your own rescue missions to help friends in trouble. Welcome to the most exciting Pokémon adventure yet!
A long-term Pokémon fan? You’ll find Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team and Red Rescue Team packed with familiar friends (and enemies) as well as a host of great new features. New to Pokémon? No problem. What better way to get to know their world than by becoming a Pokemon yourself?
For the first time ever, more than 380 Pokémon are gathered in one adventure. Combine this huge number of Pokémon with the fact that dungeons are randomly generated, and you’ll be facing a fresh challenge every time you switch on the game.
In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, you don’t become just any Pokémon. You will answer a series of questions at the beginning of the game to decide precisely which Pokémon is best suited to your personality. In your new shape, you will of course be able to speak the language and communicate with other Pokémon. But while taking on the identity of a Pokémon and chatting with your fellows is all great fun, you’re not here on holiday! You have serious business to take care of: the world of the Pokémon is in trouble and it’s up to you to save it as the leader of a Rescue Team!
It's your job to battle enemies and rescue Pokémon trapped in dungeons deep underground, where teamwork is vital. At the start of the game you will pair up with a partner Pokémon you pick from among the most well-known characters, including Bulbasaur, Charmander and of course Pikachu. They will be your loyal companion on your adventure, and who knows when their special powers might save the day? You can recruit new members throughout the game, building up the strength of your team as you go along.
If you get into trouble in a dungeon, you’ll find that you’re not on your own. You can send out an SOS to other players to come to your rescue using either passwords or Wireless Communication on the DS. On the GBA, you can team up using the Link Cable. If they help you out of a sticky situation, you can send them a thank-you message. It’s a great way to make new friends! Of course, you can also respond to SOS messages and help out other players by sending one of your Pokémon to save the day.
Mastered the DS version but want new challenges? You can import your team (or a friend's) from the GBA to the DS by inserting Red Rescue Team into the GBA slot on the DS. Then you’ll be able to fight them with your Blue Rescue Team in a special Dojo, and unlock Pokémon exclusive to the GBA version on the DS. There is also an exciting feature on DS Blue Rescue Team called Unknown Dungeon. If you set your DS to Contact Mode (like Nintendogs' Bark Mode), your Pokémon can meet other Pokémon, travel to other dungeons and pick up new items. Its great fun seeing what they bring back!
90%
GAME: One day the player awakens to find that he or she has been turned into a Pokémon. The land is being ravaged by natural disasters so the player decides to form a rescue team with a partner Pokémon. The player can interact with many different Pokémon on various missions while trying to uncover their true purpose and destiny. An engrossing story of adventure, redemption and, most of all, friendship.
Players can choose to be a Pokémon, and then choose another Pokémon to be their partner. Numerous Pokémon can become friends with the player and can be called upon to join his or her rescue teams. Assuming the role of a Pokémon, the player converses with other Pokémon for the first time using engaging graphics with various Pokémon expressions.
Players form a rescue team with a Pokémon friend, accept various missions and try to help Pokémon in trouble. They go into many dungeons and strategically make their way through many floors. The layout of the dungeons is randomly generated, so they present a different challenge every time. Strategy and thinking are the keys to clearing the dungeons and completing the missions.
Average Rating: 78.3%
 
Age of Empires: The Age of Kings
DS
10/11/06
Age of Empires: The Age of Kings boasts turn-based strategy gameplay as players move from the Dark Ages through the Middle Ages with one goal in mind: domination of the known world. Command one of five different civilizations: the Britons, Franks, Mongols, Saracens, or Japanese in this Nintendo DS game. Lead over 45 different types of units into battle -- from bowmen and monks to hand cannoneers, mercenaries and samurai, and control special 'hero' units such as Richard the Lionheart, Robin Hood, Joan of Arc and Genghis Khan, whose special 'hero' powers affect the entire battlefield. The DS version allows players to construct and upgrade buildings to help their units learn new skills and create resources for their civilizations, as well as research over 50 technologies to advance their civilization. Multi-player scenarios allow up to four players to wirelessly battle each other.
MY VIEW: In a brilliant twist on the Age of Empires franchise, the DS version has gone turn based. This looks like one of the best turn based handheld games ever created, with great graphics, and perfect touch screen control. 89%
Nintendo: The Official Magazine: N/A
Nintendo of Europe: Wage war on your Nintendo DS with a perfectly recreated handheld version of one of the bestselling PC real-time strategy (RTS) games of all time. Command different civilisations - including ancient Britons and Japanese samurai - and battle through history from the Dark Ages through the Middle Ages with the sole intent of dominating the world.
Age of Empires: The Age of Kings condenses the classic RTS into highly playable form on DS with new turn-based gameplay, numerous classes of historically accurate warriors to control and 'Hero' units like Robin Hood and Genghis Khan to lead them.
As well as warring, you'll also have to construct towns for your people, mines to dig for resources and even universities where new skills can be learnt such as chemistry, ballistics and spying skills.
Plus, Age of Empires also includes a four-player multiplayer mode for wireless battles with friends.
80%
GAME: Age of Empires: The Age of Kings boasts turn-based strategy gameplay – a first for the franchise – as players move from the Dark Ages through the Middle Ages with one goal in mind: domination of the known world.
Average Rating: 84.5%
 
Tomb Raider Legend
DS, GBA
10/11/06
This handheld version of Tomb Raider: Legend is designed to capture the detail and breadth of Lara Croft's comeback game.
MY VIEW: This is basically a complete copy of the console versions of this game. The graphics are OK, but nothing brilliant and the DS version doesn’t add too much onto the GBA game. 61%
Nintendo: The Official Magazine: N/A
Nintendo of Europe: N/A
GAME: N/A
Average Rating: 61%
 
Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam
DS, GBA
10/11/06
Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam delivers a totally unique skateboard experience focused on head-to-head racing. The game allows players to feel the breakneck speed of downhill competition as they tear up the world's steepest terrains while performing tricks and outmaneuvering opponents in such locations as San Francisco, Machu Picchu and Hong Kong. Taking on the role of Tony Hawk or one of nine characters, players compete in time-based challenges in one of three gameplay modes, including race, trick and slalom.
MY VIEW: To be honest, you may as well wait for the Wii game, but if you really want a skating game for your portable, the buy this. The graphics are nicely cel-shaded, and the gameplay is pretty smooth and sleek. 64%
Nintendo: The Official Magazine: N/A
Nintendo of Europe: N/A
GAME: For the first time ever, Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam™ lets players experience the breakneck speed of downhill skateboard racing as they tear up the steepest terrains in the world while performing tricks and outmaneuvering opponents in locations such as the crowded streets of San Francisco and rocky terrain of Machu Picchu. Developed for the Nintendo Revolution, gamers utilize an innovative and intuitive control system as they take on the role of Tony Hawk or one of nine characters and compete in specific time-based challenges in one of three gameplay modes including race, trick and slalom. Gamers can also challenge friends in head-to-head competitions as they pull off a variety of high-velocity stunts and crashes in living, populated environments filled with cars, pedestrians and buildings.
Average Rating: 64%

Flipper Critters
DS
10/11/06
A fast-action pinball-style game set in a wide-ranging world of town squares, mountain valleys, towering castles and even the surface of the moon! Both screens on the Nintendo DS system are used for a full view of the scrolling pinball area, where you can send the ball flying into other parts of the world and bounce around unique pinball set-ups. Flipper Critters also features a wide range of mini-games which challenge players to master a variety of new skills and make use of all aspects of the Nintendo DS, including the control pad, the touch screen and even the microphone. Players can access different mini games and travel to different areas of the map from the pinball tables within the game. The mini games and areas can be accessed in any order, making the game different for each player and each gameplay session.
MY VIEW: Another tried and tested game type that is at home on the DS. A pretty basic pinball game, but good graphics nonetheless. A reasonable game. 56%
Nintendo: The Official Magazine: N/A
Nintendo of Europe: N/A
GAME: N/A
Average Rating: 56%

Scurge: Hive
DS
10/11/06
There are few people that can be called upon when all else has failed and no one wants the job, but in SCURGE: HIVE by Orbital Media for the Nintendo DS that person is female bounty hunter Jenosa Arma. It has been two days since the emergency beacon has gone off at a top secret research facility that was studying an organism known only as the scurge in an attempt to understand its outrageous metamorphic and energy properties. In response to this distress signal, the government has placed a call to the one person they think they can rely on to take care of this dirty job. That happens to be Jenosa Arma, and she must find out exactly what it was that the facility was up to because she has to head out there to clean up the mess. A secretive sector of the government has contacted Jenosa, and she has been contracted to make sure that she can salvage whatever developed technology and research she can from the area. In keeping with the high tech world that has contacted her, the fearless bounty hunter is armed with newly developed weapons and even a prototype suit to help protect her. This portable game takes players and involves them in a mystical world of intrigue as they play at the helm of the powerful and beautiful bounty hunter Jenosa Arma, whose presence makes the game what it is. It's doubtful any player will want to put this game down again.
MY VIEW: Quite a surprise really. From the name, you wouldn’t think much of it, but it actually is a good game. Nice graphics, but little use of the touch screen means it was probably better suited to a GBA, but a decent game nonetheless. 68%
Nintendo: The Official Magazine: N/A
Nintendo of Europe: N/A
GAME: “Scurge: Hive” - 48 hours ago a distress signal was sent from a remote research lab studying a virulent organism identified as the “Scurge”. Bounty hunter Jenosa Arma has been sent to investigate and salvage any research technology from within the facility. Armed with top-secret projectile gauntlets and a prototype battle suit capable of integrating technologies, she must use her skills and abilities to complete her objectives on the remote planet. 50 types of infected biological, mechanical, and energy-based creatures spanning over 350 levels of intense combat and exploration. However time is of the essence as she races to nullify the Scurge coursing throughout her own body and prevent becoming what she fears most.
Average Rating: 68%
 
Spongebob Squarepants: Creature from the Krusty Krab
GC, GBA
10/11/06
In a unique and creative twist, SpongeBob SquarePants explores the peculiar world of Bikini Bottom as it transforms through a series of various unique visual styles. SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab offers fans brand new gameplay mechanics through nine visually bizarre levels.
MY VIEW: Again, if you want this game (can’t think why), then wait for the Wii version. Basic gameplay and graphics on the GBA, whereas the GC version has slightly worse graphics than the Wii, and is obviously, less innovative. 69%
Nintendo: The Official Magazine: N/A
Nintendo of Europe: N/A
GAME: Bikini Bottom will never be the same! SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab brings the #1 kids gaming franchise and TV property into the bizarre and unusual, introducing never-before-seen art styles and brand new gameplay mechanics that will change your perception of Bikini Bottom forever!
Average Rating: 69%
AND THAT ROUNDS UP A BUSY WEEK