Post by: couchmonkey on November 29, 2005, 07:25:12 AM
Umm, anyway, I normally try to liven up the Reviews section, but I'll post my impressions here this time. I hope I can find the game tonight, but for some reason it seems like Canadian stores are often late in putting out the new games.
Post by: nitsu niflheim on November 29, 2005, 09:23:50 AM
Post by: KnowsNothing on November 29, 2005, 09:27:36 AM
Post by: Bill Aurion on November 29, 2005, 09:40:09 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: couchmonkey
Oh yes! I will be buying this game post-haste. Anyone else? I know Bill's looking forward to it, shouldn't you be too?
It'll be a party in my pants! But not for another week because bloody finals are next week...Gah, the fates are against me! ;_;
Post by: PaLaDiN on November 29, 2005, 11:26:52 AM
Post by: Hostile Creation on November 29, 2005, 12:21:26 PM
I'm getting it for Christmas, since I have no money
Post by: pudu on November 29, 2005, 12:41:07 PM
Post by: Terranigma Freak on November 30, 2005, 05:43:50 AM
Check it out, this is the number 1 reason why I'm buying this game.
Post by: PaLaDiN on November 30, 2005, 12:51:31 PM
Just so you know why I'm not posting for the next week or so.
Post by: MrAustin on November 30, 2005, 06:37:52 PM
Post by: couchmonkey on December 01, 2005, 05:15:47 AM
Baby Bowser and Bowser Jr. ARE NOT THE SAME CHARACTER. Arrrgh! I was hoping this game would clear that up: one of them is Bowser as a child and the other is Bowser's son. Unless Bowser became his own father in some freakish time-warping accident. Unfortunately, this game is blurring the line between the two characters even further, so I'll have to give in and call them one in the same.
I hope this game at least offers a reasonable explanation for that whole story, but I'm not betting on it.Ummm....anyway, I know expecting continuity in a Mario game is stupid, but this is one of my pet peeves about the Mario plot. Having said that, the game is awesome! The story seems set for craziness, I hope they'll take advantage and poke a little fun at the Mario babies. I liked the intro story - not as crazy and Mario & Luigi, but just as funny. The controls are still great, maybe even a little better, and the graphics and sound are shaping up nicely. I find Mario's running animation a little goofy, that's my only complaint about the game so far - besides the whole Baby Bowser / Bowser Jr. thing.
Post by: PaLaDiN on December 01, 2005, 09:00:21 PM
couchmonkey, don't recall them mentioning Bowser Jr. anywhere... it's all been Baby Bowser as far as I know. Besides, even if they did call Baby Bowser Bowser Jr. back in the day, that wouldn't stop Bowser calling his son Bowser Jr. as well.
Post by: couchmonkey on December 02, 2005, 06:46:06 AM
I love Stuffwell, he makes learning fun. "Place the magnification dingus on the purple dealie!" The battle system seems nicely streamlined, I snuck in enough playtime to get through the first "level" and it seems a little tighter than the first. The game's use of both screens is also great. Not just for switching from babies to adults, but also for cutscenes. Even the map feature is pretty handy...this is the type of game that actually needs a map.
I also like how the babies are weaker than the adults. Not really a big deal, but it's the kind of detail that satisfies my silly craving for some sort of logic in the Mario universe.
BACK TO ADVENTURE!
Post by: Bill Aurion on December 02, 2005, 07:19:01 AM
(I personally think Bowser Jr. is a clone of Bowser)
Post by: nitsu niflheim on December 02, 2005, 07:42:41 AM
For those that think that the Legend of Zelda timeline is all screwed up, try and piece together the Mario series. Everything was (more or less) fine until Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. If Mario and the gang don't meet Yoshi until Super Mario World, then how can baby Mario (and Luigi?) meet Yoshi, and I don't remember there being any real explanation other than here is a game play it, enjoy it (which I must assure you I DID NOT)
I guess you could say that it happened in the past and they don't remember, but I don't buy that!
Post by: couchmonkey on December 02, 2005, 08:27:57 AM
Is Birdo a cross-dressing guy or a girl? (Nintendo has settled on girl which is good enough for me).
Are they Podobos or Lava Bubbles?
Why did Koopas suddenly start walking upright?
Why did Cheep-cheeps become Blurps in Super Mario World? Why did they introduce a new enemy called Cheep-Cheep that wears goggles and is green?
Why are Goombas impossible to stomp in Super Mario World? (That game screwed up a lot of enemies)
Why do all the Koopas in Super Mario RPG wear armour? Why are they called Terrapins?
Are they Beezos or Shy Aways? (Super Mario RPG also screwed up a lot of enemies)
Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Land really screwed things up too, but that's enough pointless complaining for today.
Post by: KnowsNothing on December 02, 2005, 08:27:59 AM
Also, they didn't first meet yoshi in smw, it's just that they didn't remember him from Yoshi's Island because they were babies
Post by: Bill Aurion on December 02, 2005, 09:04:27 AM
I thought they were Podoboo...
Why did Koopas suddenly start walking upright?
Because Bowser started offering health insurance after the disaster that was Super Mario Brothers and all the koopas found a good chiropractor...
Why did Cheep-cheeps become Blurps in Super Mario World? Why did they introduce a new enemy called Cheep-Cheep that wears goggles and is green?
All those fish look the same, so Ninty probably didn't consider it...
Why are Goombas impossible to stomp in Super Mario World? (That game screwed up a lot of enemies)
Um, cause, uh...HEY LOOK OVER THERE!
Why do all the Koopas in Super Mario RPG wear armour? Why are they called Terrapins?
Well a terrapin is a species of turtle...I'm sure Square wanted to be different and give unique names to the classic enemies, and I thought it was a great idea...
Are they Beezos or Shy Aways? (Super Mario RPG also screwed up a lot of enemies)
Ditto
Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Land really screwed things up too, but that's enough pointless complaining for today.
Good!
Also, they didn't first meet yoshi in smw, it's just that they didn't remember him from Yoshi's Island because they were babies
Exactly...
Post by: nitsu niflheim on December 02, 2005, 10:20:59 AM
What I really want to know is where the Koopa Kids came from.
Quote
You don't like Yoshi's Island?! Nitsu, you have failed in my eyes.
Nope, not really. I just didn't find the game to be fun to play. Through I did beat the game, I just never played it again.
Post by: stevey on December 02, 2005, 10:38:10 AM
"For those that think that the Legend of Zelda timeline is all screwed up, try and piece together the Mario series. Everything was (more or less) fine until Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. If Mario and the gang don't meet Yoshi until Super Mario World, then how can baby Mario (and Luigi?) meet Yoshi, and I don't remember there being any real explanation "
well in the new game the old hag ask have I try to kidnap you onces.
Post by: Arbok on December 02, 2005, 10:45:47 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: Bill Aurion
Well there hasn't been any evidence of where Bowser Jr. even came from...
They probably did it to further bastardize the old Koopa Kids, who I still love
(and was thrilled beyond belief when they showed up in the first Mario and Luigi)
Post by: vudu on December 02, 2005, 11:10:50 AM
QuoteWell you see, when a daddy Bowser and a mommy Bowser love each other very much they want to be as close together at possible. This happens when the daddy Bowser puts his ... well, you get the idea.
What I really want to know is where the Koopa Kids came from.
Post by: stevey on December 02, 2005, 11:34:00 AM
Post by: Avinash_Tyagi on December 02, 2005, 11:54:18 AM
Partners in time is the Mustard of PSP's doom sandwich.
Post by: hudsonhawk on December 02, 2005, 11:56:42 AM
Maybe that's why no one talks about the Koopa Kids, maybe it's just an open secret that she and Bowser have a thing on the side.
Maybe Mario's really a cuckold.
Post by: Artimus on December 02, 2005, 12:02:08 PM
Post by: Bill Aurion on December 02, 2005, 12:20:07 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: vuduQuoteWell you see, when a daddy Bowser and a mommy Bowser love each other very much they want to be as close together at possible. This happens when the daddy Bowser puts his ... well, you get the idea.
What I really want to know is where the Koopa Kids came from.
Well, the Koopa Kids are nephews and niece the last I heard...
Post by: MysticGohan24 on December 02, 2005, 12:23:11 PM
Post by: nitsu niflheim on December 02, 2005, 03:48:05 PM
Post by: wandering on December 02, 2005, 10:03:59 PM
So....Bowser has brothers and sisters? I want to see them!
Post by: PaLaDiN on December 02, 2005, 10:18:08 PM
Anyway, I just want to say, this is my favorite DS game. I've been waiting for a single game to really, by itself, justify why I bought a DS, and this is it.
Rest assured, she's NOT in another castle or anything!
Post by: MysticGohan24 on December 02, 2005, 10:32:00 PM
Weither that's related.. I don't know
Post by: Chris1 on December 03, 2005, 08:34:43 AM
Post by: Spak-Spang on December 03, 2005, 02:07:14 PM
However, nobody respects handheld games so it probably won't happen.
Post by: nickmitch on December 03, 2005, 04:33:43 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: PaLaDiN
Maybe they're dead.
I bet the Yoshis killed them forcing Bowser to capture him and his friends thusly making the story for SMW.
Post by: KDR_11k on December 03, 2005, 07:05:08 PM
Post by: IceCold on December 03, 2005, 07:42:27 PM
Post by: KDR_11k on December 03, 2005, 11:11:06 PM
Post by: dum4u on December 09, 2005, 12:43:24 PM
Post by: Caterkiller on December 09, 2005, 08:18:45 PM
Post by: Ghisy on December 11, 2005, 12:45:01 AM
I bought it while I was on vacation in Cali and I played for like 2 hours straight without noticing!
Post by: couchmonkey on December 19, 2005, 08:58:18 AM
The only disappointing thing about the game to me is that it feels small. There are practically no sidequests, mini-games, or secrets (well, unless the secrets are really well hidden). I played the game for about 25 hours, and I think I've seen everything short of a few rare badges and maxing out the characters' levels.
However, I think Alpha Dream deserves some credit for scaling the game design back rather than trying to pack in everything from the first game on a short schedule. Nintendo's solution to this problem with it's recent games has been to add a lot of watered-down gameplay - searching for collectables or backtracking over the same area again and again. Alpha Dream leaves you with 100% pure gameplay. There are very few sidequests and secrets, but the core game is arguably as good or better than the first one in almost every way. I probably spent less than 4 hours searching for collectables or completing other sidequests. I respect that.
The graphics, sound, plot and gameplay are all outstanding. The battle system has a few tweaks that may not be perfect, but I found that overall it stood up find to the first game, which was awesome. My only other complaint about the game is that it's easier than the first one, and I'm only doing that on the principle that games shouldn't always be getting easier: this game's challenge level is actually better than the first one, in my opinion.
Of course it would be preferable if Alpha Dream had had a few more months to throw in some sidequests, mini-games, and maybe a couple of extra levels: that's the only thing keeping this from being my favourite game in the series. Even so, I'm really glad they made an awesome game that's a slightly small rather than a big game that often feels like a chore.
I think I'll do a reader review later this week, because that section of the boards is always so dead, and I like the sound of my own voice.
Post by: Ghisy on January 08, 2006, 12:43:29 AM
I'm at 14+ hours so far. I don't want it to end, hehe!
Post by: Hostile Creation on January 08, 2006, 09:44:10 AM
Quite possibly my favorite DS game so far. Actually, almost definitely; tied with Meteos. I love Alpha Dream.
Post by: Bill Aurion on January 08, 2006, 09:46:58 AM
Post by: Caterkiller on January 08, 2006, 12:25:57 PM
Post by: MysticGohan24 on January 08, 2006, 03:10:22 PM
No, really I just ordered Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time for my lil DS, I had received a free $25 Best Buy gift Card, unfortunately the local Best Buy didn't have any copies instock, and wouldn't be getting any shipments for 3 weeks. So instead I ordered on their online site and used my gift card to take it down a peg, and end up costing $14.38 tax and shipping and all.
So I should have it either by the 13th or 18th at the latest. Bill tells me this game IS THAT GOOD!! so I trust him
or else... dum dum dum "Also I plann on getting Mario Kart DS and the USB dongle soon"
