DS Games for a Journey

My DS has been crying out for some attention. It’s been sitting unloved and feeling shunned next to the PSP for the last few months waiting for the chance to shine. Well, that opportunity has appeared as I’ve an upcoming trip planned which presents the perfect opportunity to get some DS gaming done while travelling. In preparation for the journey I’ve been messing around with a few games over the last few days.

Metroid Prime Pinball

This is a great pinball game which makes fantastic use of the Metroid license. As soon as the game starts up you know you’re in for a treat as you’re greeted with a familiar musical theme. The feel of the game is spot on with tables based upon different levels such as Talon Overworld, and Phazon Mines and feature some quite diverse objectives such as Burrower Bash and Space Pirate Panic which when successfully completed award Chozo Artifacts. The aim is to collect 12 artifacts in total to advance to the final tables.

Age of Empires: The Age of Kings

I’m working my way through the Joan of Arc tutorial campaign at present but what I’ve played so far is quite good. It’s a turn based strategy game with a variety of units (infantry, cavalry, ranged, and siege) but also includes some building and resource management as-well as technological advances for both units and buildings. Some of the unit models aren’t that great to look at and it can be quite difficult to differentiate units when they’re clumped together on neighbouring squares but the game-play is solid.

Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan

It’s quite a few years old now but I’ve only just got around to playing this rhythm game from Japan that spawned the westernised Elite Beat Agents. The gameplay is simplicity itself and finds you as a member of an elite cheerleading squad helping out various characters by tapping away or tracing a path on the DS touch screen in time to the music. I must admit my understanding of the Japanese language is limited to a few verbal phases but it’s easy enough to get the gist of each characters scenario when it's shown via a series of comic strip style panels on the top screen. The J-pop music is also quite catchy and the stories haven’t yet failed to bring a smile to my face.

There's some great DS games out there and I still want to check out Professor Layton and the Curious Village and Advance Wars: Dark Conflict but this small selection should keep the boredom at bay.