Ports are tricky. Indeed, the DS's big brother gets a lot of flak for hosting PS2 ports with tacked-on waggle. Yet, if the original game is good and a reasonable amount of bonus content is added, we generally give the game a pass.
But things get even trickier when discussing the retro-port. I touched on this at the end of the Petz Dogz Fashion post, but it's worth restating: would you pay full retail price for an exact copy of your favorite retro game? As the Super Mario Advance series proved: yes, you will. Apparently, identical or near-identical copies of older games at standard market prices can still sell extremely well. It'll be interesting to see how successful the Chrono Trigger port will be (my prediction: very). It'd be especially nice if we could determine how many of those purchasing the game have never played it before (my second prediction: not very many). Information such as this would allow us to determine what effect -- if any -- retro-ports have on the current state of gaming.
Examining Myst for the DS has been on my queue for quite some time. The reason for the delay was simply because I was unsure if it was fair to put it under the spotlight since I never played the original. But upon deliberating the sentiments above, I realized the DS port of the 1993 graphic adventure would be the perfect opportunity to put the question to a litmus test.
This title seemed to be doomed from the beginning: it's made by Ubisoft, it's a pet simulator, and it uses Z's where there should be S's. But you may be surprised to learn that this actually isn't quite a terrible game. Yet it's still shovelware. So how does one achieve this seemingly contradictory state? Last week, we discussed imitation. While Best of Tests DS was clearly trying to bite off some of the Brain Age momentum, its limited content and awful design made it a lackluster game. Thus, it was easily identified as shovelware. But what does one do when a seemingly good game is, at its core, nothing more than a simple clone of an existing title (albeit a well done clone)? Here's my take on things.
It's not often that a game goes on sale before it's even released, not that we're complaining. If you enjoy word games, then, you might want to consider picking up Wordmaster at Amazon. Although the MSRP is $19.99, Amazon is currently offering the game for $13.99, which is as budget as it gets for a new release.
The title doesn't even come out until July 15th, but you can preorder now if you want to secure the game for cheap. As for what Wordmaster is? Well, think Lingo or Jotto, only on the DS.
On a side note, you can also pick up Petz: Hamsterz 2 as Amazon's "Deal of the Day" for $11.99. Um, woot?
[Via CAG]
Source: Wordmaster for $13.99
Source: Petz: Hamsterz 2 for $11.99 (today only)
Here's a puzzle for you, and we think you'll find it to be an absolute humdinger: if you haven't already purchased Professor Layton and the Curious Village, then why not? There are several different answers to this brainteaser, but you'll have to go past the break to find them.
Anyway, Level 5's gorgeous adventure is now available at Target for $26, a minuscule price to pay for what is easily one of the best DS games of 2008 so far. Also in Target's bargains line-up this week: Brain Age 2 (for $17), Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day (also $17) and, um ... Petz Bunnyz 2 ($26 too much).
Look sharp, DS owners -- there are a couple of solid choices competing for your funds this week. Our own beloved Shiren is wandering onto shelves alongside the Eco Creatures, and that's not all that's hitting stores. For gamers still wrapped up in other great recent releases, there may be some tough choices ahead. Time to start that stack of games that you'll still be working through by December!
For our friends in Europe -- we sure hope you happen to be Dora the Explorer fans ....
Unfortunately, not every week can be last week, but maybe you'll find something to interest you in this latest crop of releases, especially with the wide variety of titles hitting shelves across regions today. From the latest Naruto title to Soma Bringer's debut in Japan, it's an unusual week for DS games. Be sure to let us know what interests you!
While we tend to scoff at Ubisoft's Petz series, we suppose if they're making some little kid out there happy, they can't be all that bad. Still, the blatant exploitation of the license along with the unnecessary use of the letter "z" just rubs us the wrong way.
Ubisoft has recently trademarked "Monkeyz" and "Dinoz," meaning that we can probably expect more Petz games on the horizon. While the company's choice in animals is definitely getting better, unless these games are like Dino Park Tycoon, we're just not interested.
Are you hoping that "Slothz" or "Alienz" will be Ubisoft's next trademark? How about "Piranhaz" or "Robot Dinoz?" Vote in the poll after the break and let your opinion be known.
Gaming sites are inundated with holiday gift guides at the end of the year, listing the best and most popular games that everyone pretty much already has (or knows about). Well, we're not going in for that this year. Our gift guide will help you find the best gifts in categories the other sites won't cover -- because we just made them up.
Do you just love handing out the most horrific holiday gifts? If you're the kind of person who actually tucks sticks and coal into the stocking of a loved one on Christmas Eve, then this list is for you. It's all about the worst of the worst, the bottom of the barrel -- the games you would shudder to find on your own shelf, or worse, tainting your DS.
Before you ask -- yes, we do love to see you cringe and suffer at the horrors we spring on you. Aren't we sweet?
Sure, it's third-party pet-sim shovelware, but if you're looking for a cheap Christmas gift to throw at the preteen brats in your family, look no further! For today only, Amazon has Petz Catz 2 on sale at a discount price of $9.99. Slap another $15+ item onto your order, like a copy of Final Fantasy 3 for yourself, and you can even take advantage of the online shop's Free Super Save Shipping.
Ubisoft actually put together some adorable commercials for Catz 2 and other games in the Petz series. Nom nom nom past the post break for those short videos.
What's a gamer to do this week, with both Mario Party DS and Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings on the table? Sometimes, we just have to make the tough decisions ... and it looks like Great Auntie Ethel might not be getting a present this year during the holidays.
What, you didn't expect us to choose between the games, did you?
Hmm, with all the games out this week, it seems like there should be something that really gets our hearts pumping. Maybe it's WordJong. After all, we liked it, but nah, that's not really an incomparable thrill ride. Cooking Mama 2? Just doesn't seem like it. We can cross off Baby Pals and all the Petz and Horsez games, too. It's right there, on the tip of the tongue ... what could it be?
Oh yeah: Contra 4. At last, dear friends, it's here!
Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?
Baby Pals
Contra 4
Cooking Mama 2: Dinner With Friends
Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends: Imagination Invaders
Throwing even more resources into their casual initiative (which has so far produced games that range from the excellent to the execrable), Ubisoft has acquired Japanese developer Digital Kids. In addition to having a company name that is really hard to search for, it looks like Digital Kids is responsible for part of the Petz series of pet simulators, including Hamsterz Life.
For what it's worth, Hamsterz Life is the only game in which virtual hamsters will carry on conversations with you in English, rather than responding in the manner of an actual pet. That sort of makes Hamsterz Life less like other Petz games and more like Seaman. IGN called it "weird, off-the-wall, funny, and home to several enjoyable bits of off-kilter gameplay." So, maybe, if Ubisoft must continue releasing these Petz games, it's for the best if they choose Digital Kids to do it.
Remember when we said that everybody wants a piece of the virtual pets pie? We weren't lying and now Ubisoft plans to extend their Petz franchise.
Not only will you have cuddly Catz and Dogz, you will now have Horsez and, get this, HamsterzLife. I guess Barbie's Horse Adventures isn't enough anymore.
Want more? Released this September is DogzFashion for GBA. This, obviously, concentrates the most on prizes. Now you have to give your animals baths and such.
Best thing about this new line of Petz, in our opinion, are the hamsters. They always did smell a little funny and now you don't have to, um, smell them.
Look sharp, DS owners -- there are a couple of solid choices competing for your funds this week. Our own beloved 
Unfortunately, not every week can be 
While we tend to 
Gaming sites are inundated with holiday gift guides at the end of the year, listing the best and most popular games that everyone pretty much already has (or knows about). Well, we're not going in for that this year. Our 
What's a gamer to do this week, with both 
Remember when we said that everybody wants a piece of the virtual pets pie? We weren't lying and now Ubisoft plans to extend their Petz franchise.
