With the recent launch of Nintendo's super-sized DSi XL (look for my review online and in the Life section of the paper next Monday), now seems a good time to take a look at a Nintendo service that I haven't written much about since Nintendo launched the original DSi last April: The DSi Shop.
An online store that offers access to cheap "DSiWare" games priced between $2 and $8, I wasn't particularly impressed with many of its early offerings, which were short, shallow, and not particularly fun.
However, the store has been picking up steam over the last several months and has become home to several downright great little games, including both ports of proven titles from other platforms and entertainments developered specifically for Nintendo's dual-screen device.
My five favourite DSi originals are below. You can download them all for only $25.
Starship Defense (500 Points)
I don't think it's possible to spend $5 more wisely on DSiWare. This space-themed tower defence game is rendered almost entirely in fetching greys and whites (imagine pencil sketches in a notebook) and has players setting up turrets on speeding starships to protect them from alien invaders. There are a few minor innovations to the standard tower defence formula, such as cards that can be played to, say, unleash a roaming dogfighter, but that's not why you'll play. The beauty of Starship Defense is that it's polished, accessible, and offers about a dozen hours of fun. And did I mention you get it all for only five bucks?
Link 'n' Launch (500 Points)
A distinctive puzzler, Link 'n' Launch has players sliding and flipping tiles containing pipes until they line up properly to allow fuel to flow from an energy source to a rocket engine, thus launching the ship to which it is attached. The strategy behind manipulating tiles is compelling enough on its own (we're provided half a dozen technique tutorials that explain the intricacies therein), but it's only half the game. In order to clear each mission, players have to make sure the fuel enters the right section of the engine to make it fly in the proper direction to collect rocket upgrades and avoid game-ending out-of-bounds markers. It makes for hours of fast-paced, head-scratching fun.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again (800 Points)
If you've played previous Mario vs. Donkey Kong games, you know the drill: Set tiny Mario windups in motion, then try to direct them to the end of the level without encountering any hazards. Keeping things interesting are springs, ladders, keys, moving blocks, spikes, walls, treadmills, enemies, and other aids and obstacles. It's called puzzle platforming, and few games in the genre do it better than plumber versus ape. Minis March Again provides players with some 40 levels to work through plus a construction zone that allows them to try their hand at creating their own puzzles.
Dark Void Zero (500 Points)
Meant to promote Dark Void , this old-school platformer is in many ways better than its disappointing big brother. An homage to NES-era games like Metroid, it has players controlling a little man who jumps, shoots, collects orbs, and flies around using a jetpack. The catchy 8-bit soundtrack is delightfully dated. And saves? Pshaw. Dark Void Zero uses the tried-and-true lives system, meaning you'll likely need to start over at least a few times. When you do complete it, the fun isn't over: You can play again and beat that high score! Clearly, it won't be for everyone, but if you have pleasant memories of '80s action games, it's five dollars well spent.
Robot Rescue (200 Points)
Another puzzle platformer, Robot Rescue has players holding the DS like a book and using the directional pad to navigate groups of robots through a maze that spreads across both screens. The catch is that all of the robots move in unison, and they explode if they come into contact with one another. If that's not tricky enough, there are loads of game elements-gates, teleporters, electric fences, mines, and more-that add an extra level of challenge. It's the most indie of the all the games here (the graphics are pretty plain, and the text instructions have a distinctly ESL feel), but you can't argue with the habit-forming play. It's definitely worth a couple of bucks.
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