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[Wario64]

http://ds.ign.com/articles/634/634956p1.html

7.5 Presentation
The game loses a bit due to some half-assed implementation of multiplayer and other menu functions, but if you're looking to be "wowed" on the DS, this game will do it.
9.5 Graphics
Fantastic eye candy that shows exactly what the DS system's 3D capabilities can really do. A little slowdown here and there when the effects get a bit overwhelming, but nothing too distracting.
8.0 Sound
Grooving soundtrack that fits the action pretty well. No real memorable "theme" to the tunes, but everything sounds great on headphones or speakers.
8.0 Gameplay
Solid and fun action with some quirky issues keeping it from instant classic status. Next time, guys, don't put touch-screen elements in a game that requires eyes on the upper screen at all times.
8.5 Lasting Appeal
Though the adventure mode's over in an hour or so, it's the challenges and multiplayer competitions that keep the package going.
8.0 OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)


Nanostray is not a creative showcase for the unique functions of the Nintendo DS system --this game isn't going to win any awards for its touch-screen ideas. What this game does, however is give the Nintendo DS library a real kick in the pants with an energetic production, fast-paced action, and some extremely challenging elements that will keep you going for some time. The little design issues keep the game out of a "classic" status, but honestly, it's hard not to have a blast with this original Nintendo DS title.

 

[ToyMachine228]

What's the suggested retail of this? $30 I hope?

 

[Error]

9.5 Graphics
Fantastic eye candy that shows exactly what the DS system's 3D capabilities can really do. A little slowdown here and there when the effects get a bit overwhelming, but nothing too distracting.

I want to know what drinky thinks of this :lol

 

[gamewhooper]

Yes, the game is $30.

The DS's line-up is really starting to look up. It's a shame, though. I get a PSP for my birthday but the DS gets out of its dry spell right there when the PSP entered one. I guess the timing was just off.

 

[AniHawk]

 

[The Main Event]

:lol Awesome.

 

[GitarooMan]

Nice post, Anihawk. That was the best part of last night's episode. Blows Nanostray's graphics away, IMO.

 

[dicklaurent]

I want to know what drinky thinks of this :lol

That the PSP can do these graphics standing on its head, without slowdown? Eh?

 

[GDGF]

GODDAMMIT. The one night that I miss a new Family Guy episode they go and show a parody Take On Me video. I love that song.

 

[ejdonk]

Still cant compete with episode 8.. I still gotta laugh when thinking of that vomit scene :lol

 

[rod furlong]

did they mention you can beat it in 30 minutes?

 

[MarkRyan]

did they mention you can beat it in 30 minutes?

Yes--the "Lasting Appeal" box says the game is short. Wario quoted it.

 

[Ferd]

did they mention you can beat it in 30 minutes?

Is that a knock on the game? It's a shooter that is meant to be played over and over, and shines when you ramp up the difficulty and in multiplayer sessions.

 

[Tony HoTT]

Is that a knock on the game? It's a shooter that is meant to be played over and over, and shines when you ramp up the difficulty and in multiplayer sessions.

It's like people have never been to a goddamn arcade and played a shooter before.

 

[MarkRyan]

It's like people have never been to a goddamn arcade and played a shooter before.

Hate to say it, but lots of Xbox fans are pretty new to gaming. At least that seems to be a pretty common trait among the more outspoken ones I've encountered. Either that or they're newly converted to console from PC.

 

[ThongyDonk]

I want to know what drinky thinks of this :lol

who gives a shit what drinky thinks??

 

[Oh! My Car!]

who gives a shit what drinky thinks??

EVERYONE

Sarcasm is one of his trademarks

 

[Ruzbeh]

That's a terrible rating.

 

[Soul4ger]

1UP review:

http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3142124

6.5

 

[VNZ]

Now this looks rather boring, doesn't it? I suppose a real manic shooter doesn't suit handheld gaming very well, though.

 

[Frank the Great]

Ikaruga only got an 8.3 at IGN. Shmups don't tend to score amazingly well at the big reviewer sites/mags.

 

[Musashi Wins!]

man...i'm truly bummed. it sounds as though the mechanic decisions on this were poor. i think the 2nd screen actually hurt this title.

 

[demi]

Maybe at $10.

 

[Christoff Yurievich]

Maybe at $10.

or maybe more?

 

[demi]

Maybe at $10. Emphasis on not going to bother. Gonna buy Advent Rising PC instead.

 

[jarrod]

Maybe at $10.

I'd sooner spend $30 on this than Lunar BS.

 

[gamewhooper]

You'd spend only spend $10 for a rare, good game than $50 for apparently a mediocre one?

I guess it helps out Majesco either way, though.

 

[HCgamer]

For starters, there's the whole Nintendo DS thing. I'm as big a fan of the system as anyone, but here's an important message for developers: Not every game is perfectly suited for two screens and a touch interface! It's OK to make games for DS simply because it's comfortable, familiar hardware with modest 3D capabilities! A good shooter is all about getting zoned out and dodging enemy fire in a trance-like state. Nanostray is no different, but oops...if you want to swap weapons, you have to move both your eyes and your trigger finger to the bottom screen, where you toggle between guns by tapping the proper icon. It's nice in theory, but in practice it basically spoils the action by forcing gamers to break their concentration.

Sorry to read about this I was looking forwards to this one.

 

[imastalker co.]

i still can't believe they wasted the second screen on radar and weapon changing functions.

 

[Ark-AMN]

Heh, now that I think about it, it probably wasn't too much a problem to play at E3 because you didn't have to hold the DS itself and could just tap the buttons and the touch screen.

If you have to hold the DS, then I could see how this could be a serious issue.

 

[radioheadrule83]

Theres only four weapons I'm sure they wouldn't be hard to touch from memory without actually looking at the screen... the mind boggles if theres no button equivilent though.

 

[Christoff Yurievich]

yeah, it would have been nice to have both screens show the action, kind of like the old vert shooters.

 

[LittleTokyo]

Theres only four weapons I'm sure they wouldn't be hard to touch from memory without actually looking at the screen... the mind boggles if theres no button equivilent though.

Nope, no button eqivilents. However, I'm wondering if the touchscreen buttons will be easy to just hit with your thumb? That would at least keep the stylus out of the question.

 

[Musashi Wins!]

i still can't believe they wasted the second screen on radar and weapon changing functions.

it's really just the weapon changing functions. that hurts the game pretty badly. why can't we remap any button on a ds game? [/dreamsequence]

 

[Mejilan]

No luck finding this game today, sadly.