Zoos are fun. They bring back good childhood memories. With that said, a zoo simulation should be enjoyable, right? Well those who played the first Zoo Tycoon for the Nintendo DS might say otherwise. Blue Fang Games, the developer, wants a second chance at it and they delivered. Definitely, Zoo Tycoon 2 is a big improvement from the first one. However, Zoo Tycoon for DS still leaves many of the earlier problems unsolved.

The graphics were given a makeover. You can actually distinguish the animals in Zoo Tycoon 2. Plus, they are more animated than the first. Don’t get your hopes up yet. That’s the only improvement of the game, graphics-wise. It still has the bland, boring feel of the first installation.

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What are the criteria for a game to garner a sequel? Well the makers of the unremarkable Bubble Bobble Revolution think that it deserves to have a second, make that a double shot. They released Bubble Bobble Double Shot for the Nintendo DS this month for the US market.

Retro gamers disappointed with the first Bubble Bobble game for the DS are in for a treat. Bob and Bub are back and they’re being reinforced by their cousin Bubu. Now here’s the twist. Instead of playing as either of the three, you get to control all of them at the same time. During the game, you switch from Bob, Bub or Bubu depending on what color the star floating around a monster will be. Sounds easy, does it? Well, at first it is but as you progress in the game, and more monsters coming towards you, switching can be a source of frustration.

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Unfortunately, it’s not among the best RPG games for the DS. I must have been brought back to the GBA era or something while playing Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts. This game surely feels like a Game Boy Advance game, not a Nintendo DS one. For starters, you won’t be using the DS’ stylus in this one.

This game has dungeons, lots of them. You will be spending a lot of time fighting monsters in dungeons, looking for quest items. The graphics is a throwback to the past. It’s kind of outdated for a Nintendo DS game.
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Barnyard Blast: Swine of the Night for the Nintendo DS started from a good idea. The game’s FAQ states, “Barnyard Blast is an upcoming 2D action shooting game for the Nintendo DS. It is a parodic tribute to famous old-school horror titles. In Barnyard Blast, you control Robert Belmart, the Swine of the Night. Through 6 levels, you kill zombies, exterminate monsters, slash ghouls, and more.”

Just like some good ideas, Barnyard Blast: Swine of the Night lacked in the execution department. This is the developer’s first game and it shows. They made a supposed fun filled game into a nightmare. This game is too difficult for the casual gamer but hardcore gamers can enjoy the challenge it imposes. As for replay value, I don’t see any of it here.

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The verdict is in. Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney is guilty of being the cause of addiction amongst its players. This Nintendo DS game is the leading cause of sleeplessness these past days. Don’t be alarmed if years from now there will be an influx in the number of lawyers.

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney is essentially the fourth game of the Ace Attorney series. The first 3 Ace Attorney games featured Phoenix Wright as the protagonist. If you’re a Phoenix Wright fan, then you’re in for a treat. Apollo Justice didn’t sway that much from the winning formula. That means that this game still feels and plays like the previous Ace Attorney games. The humor is still there. Plus, Phoenix Wright plays a vital part in the game’s storyline.

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When Oxygen Interactive announced that it’ll be releasing a pool game that is comprehensive, stylish and modern, pool fans rejoiced. I’m not talking about the guy that cleans your pool. 8Ball Allstars is set to be the premier pool simulation on Nintendo DS.

Don’t let the title mislead you. 8Ball Allstars isn’t just about 8Ball. Whatever pool game you play, 3Ball, 6Ball, 8Ball and the popular 9Ball format, however you wish to play it, 8Ball Allstars is the game for you. It features a variety of game type as well as different kinds of pool table to play in. It would let you customize your pool table as well. What more can you ask for in a pool game.

As for the controls, it sure feels like the real thing less actually holding a cue stick. This isn’t some wacky pool game. The physics is as real as it can get. Playing 8Ball Allstars is like actually playing pool minus the chalk dirt in your hands. You can practice trick shoots on your DS before actually showing it off to your friends.

Pool is a competitive sport, so what’s a pool title without multiplayer options right? Fear not for 8Ball Allstars lets you play with your friends via WiFi. This is a great party game. It would even let you play a doubles game with your friends.

8Ball Allstars is a nice substitute for the real thing, and you can carry it anywhere you go. This Nintendo DS game is set on an April release.

Spiderwick Chronicles is a Nintendo DS game based on the children’s fantasy series that’s adapted into a movie. The game’s target audiences are the kids that read and watched the movie. This fact seem to be forgotten be the game’s developers. Spiderwick Chronicles for the DS is one frustrating moment after another.

I don’t want to rant about the gameplay but being a kid’s game, it sure didn’t feel like one. Even though it’s turn-based, Spiderwick Chronicles requires having quick reflexes during battles. The battle can easily turn into a nightmare. You need precision timing in order to beat the goblins. You’ll definitely see the “Game Over” screen frequently with this game. To make things worse, checkpoints are too sparsely spaced out. So if you die you’ll be restarting the game from the last checkpoint, which might be 10 to 20 minutes ago. I’m sure kids will be bored by this, trust me, I did.

The Spiderwick books are well illustrated then how come this game looks plain? The backgrounds lack the variety, giving you the feeling of déjà vu. Maybe the artists were hurried to have a launch date close to the movie’s release. Getting lost in this game is easy. The map is not much of a help at all.

Spiderwick Chronicles for the Nintendo DS is a children’s game not made for children. It’s not made for adolescents as well. It is too difficult for the younger kids and too boring for the older ones. Buy the DVD of the movie instead.

Why was Professor Layton and the Curious Village released to the North American market a year after its Japanese debut? That’s a riddle in itself. The game is entertaining and engaging as it challenges your brain to solve the puzzles at hand.

You get to control Professor Layton. He’s joined by his apprentice Luke. They do remind you of Sherlock Holmes and Watson with their interaction and banters. The game is set in a town called St. Mystere and its citizens love puzzles. Try to speak with one and they will challenge you to solve a riddle.

Professor Layton and the Curious Village is not your typical brain game. It’s a combination of a classic murder mystery plus brain teasers that will surely make your brain work double time. Unlike other brain games, Professor Layton and the Curious Village presents the puzzles as if it’s part of the adventure making you want to solve the puzzle in other to move on. This is quite actually quite addicting.

You’ll have a total of 130 puzzles to solve. Even after finishing every puzzle the game has to offer, the fun doesn’t stop there. You can download weekly puzzles through Nintendo Wi-Fi. This will keep your brain busy until the sequel, Professor Layton and the Devil’s Box comes out.

Professor Layton and the Curious Village is a great title to add to your Nintendo DS collection.

I’ve been a soccer player since I was a little kid so you don’t know how excited I get whenever a soccer game gets released. Ubisoft said in its press release that Real Soccer 2008 is the first major soccer simulation to come to the DS. Does it live to the hype? Well, read on.

Real Soccer 2008 features real moves from the game. You can easily make spectacular dribbles to evade the defense. Moves like step-overs, back heel passes, bicycle kicks and fake shots can be made with the simple combinations of the D-pad and other buttons. It’s not that hard to get the hang of the controls and the game play flows smoothly, making this game enjoyable.

It also features a real interaction between you and the in-game referee. When you feel that the ref is giving you the raw deal, pour your frustrations at him by shouting at the DS’ mic. This might make you look stupid when in a crowded place. Well, tapping at the mic instead will do.

Real arenas and stadiums are used in Real Soccer 2008. They are scaled down to realistic details, giving you the idea of how it feels like to actually play there.

There’s just one thing that’s not real about Real Soccer 2008. Due to its lack of licensing, the game doesn’t feature any real team or players’ likeness. Small as it may seem, its details like that that can turn fans away from this game and play FIFA instead.

Once you’ve overcome not seeing familiar names and teams, Real Soccer 2008 is a playable simulation of the world’s most watched team sport.

Mega Brain Boost is said to make your brain work better, but what if the game isn’t enticing enough? Will you still play it just to improve your mental skills? Mega Brain Boost is boring and repetitive. It’s good that you can finish the game in less than an hour and end your misery.

One good thing I can say about Mega Brain Boost is that it contains 3 games in one cartridge. Gamma Wave and Beta Wave is included in this game. Other than that, I can’t see any other asset this game has.

OK, here’s the deal. Mega Brain Boost is a typical training game for the DS. Training games are supposed to challenge our brain, right? Mega Brain Boost doesn’t pose any challenge at all. The game was designed specifically to improve concentration and memory by way of the Shichida Method. Basically, each of the 15 games are just some sort of memory game. This makes it quite repetitive and uninteresting. Yeah, a multiplayer mode is available but still it’s the same games altogether. There’s no variety in it.

After you run through all the game’s test, you wouldn’t be compelled to play it again. Unless you’re a masochist who wants to improve your top scores, I see no other reason for you to pick the start the game again. Mega Brain Boost is not a game for everyone. It’s not a game for anyone at all. Skip this title and buy yourself a Happy Meal instead.