Nintendo DS Screenshots: Treasures of Montezuma

Treasures of Montezuma is a match 3 style game.  It is different from others I have played in that to complete the level you need to match a certain amount with gems inside them.  The amount you need to collect per level goes up by 5 each time.  It ends up getting somewhat challenging to match them all before time runs out.  It definitely had good replay value with it easily taking days to play through and being entertaining enough that I wanted to go through it again.

Overall I really enjoyed playing through this game.  It was somewhat challenging and frustrating at times, but mostly it was just because it seemed like there was not always enough time.  Occasionally, it was difficult to tell what gems were what, as the specials change how they look and it gets hard to tell what color they really are sometimes.  Those that like the match 3 that are about clearing certain squares may find this not as interesting, as it is always the same overall format, but I think it is still challenging just in a different kind of way.

Nintendo DS Screenshots: thinkSMART

I like the concept of much of thinkSMART, but the actual gameplay is overall quite annoying and disappointing.  For example, I like that it is more than just math as it has some verbal stuff, but the analogies are set up as just the words next to and on top of each other with no clear saying what goes with what.  Sure, the instructions probably say and it is rather obvious, but at the same time it is like a distracting eye sore to see it set up so poorly.

The analogy thing is actually not that bad when compared to the Find in the Missing Word activity.  That one is a total mess.  It basically presents a total gibberish phrase and you have to guess what word is missing in a jumble of words.  For example, it presents the words "learn before you to walk" and the answer is run.  I guess it could be seen as a good challenge, but where are the easy things to ease you into the challenge?

The only thing not too challenging was the math stuff, but maybe just because that is more my thing.  I still got annoyed with it, though, as I had problems with it turning my writing into the numbers I wanted.

Overall, I would not recommend thinkSMART to anyone.  There are just too many issues with the game mechanics and not just the challenge.  I guess if you have great patience and are a genius this is good, but even then I doubt it would be interesting.

Nintendo DS Screenshots: Jeopardy

I love watching the game show Jeopardy and playing trivia games, so I was excited for this game to finally come up as my Gamefly rental earlier this month.  Lately, I have ended up being quite disappointed in my rentals including two 3DS LEGO games that frustrated me to the point of not even finishing the first level (Star Wars Clone Wars was worst and Pirates not much better).  I actually had low expectations all along for Jeopardy, so I do not know if it was the low expectations or just the fact it was a game that did not frustrate me, but either way I ended up falling in love with the game.

The easy mode of Jeopardy on the DS gives you three options for the question when you buzz in.  This makes it easy for you to guess with less certainty, although you are still risking the money if you get it wrong.  Starting in medium difficulty, though, it is like real Jeopardy and you have to type in your response.

Overall I found Jeopardy for the Nintendo DS to be a lot of fun.  Some categories were easy and others challenging, but it was fun to learn new things while playing.

Click the screenshots below to see a larger version of them.

Nintendo DS Screenshots: You Don't Know Jack

I use to love playing You Don't Know Jack on the computer, so when I saw that they made a version for the Nintendo DS earlier this year I just had to try it out.  I ended up renting it through Gamefly, but I would not have regretted it if I had purchased instead.

In You Don't Know Jack for the Nintendo DS you can play as 1 or 2 players.  I only tried single player.  There are 37 different episodes to play through.  Basically, you can play through them all and then know all the answer and really rock at it.

The gameplay is just as fun as the original computer versions of You Don't Know Jack.  You buzz in by pressing the arrow direction for the correct answer to multiple choice questions.  For the Dis or Dat you use L and R buttons.  For the Final Jack Attack round you can press any button when the clues match up to fit the category.

Overall You Don't Know Jack is a fun trivia game, especially if you have enjoyed the computer versions.  However, it is somewhat limited in overall gameplay value since it only has 37 episodes, so only 370 total "questions."  Thus, it might make a better rental than purchase, but for the current price (~$17 to $23) it is available for it is not a bad deal to purchase it and leisurely play through all the episodes.

Click below thumbnails to see a larger version of the screenshots.

Nintendo DS Screenshots: The Sorcerer's Apprentice

The Sorcerer's Apprentice is supposedly based on the movie, but from the start it seemed so much different that made it entirely lose its appeal. Games based on movies tend to not be that great anyways. While I understand they cannot always exactly follow the movie, I do not get entirely changing the plot and it just totally ruins any potential the game has.

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Nintendo DS SCreenshots: Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure

The title of Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure made me think it was a puzzle game. Well, it sort of is, but it is mostly an adventure style game with little puzzle parts you play every once in a while as part of making it through the levels. The puzzle aspect is lame and certainly does not make it fun for me being a puzzle game lover. I feel like the puzzle aspect will also annoy those who like adventure games. Perhaps, there is a small margin of those that like puzzle and adventure games that will like that this includes both, but I doubt it is very many as the puzzle part stinks.

Click the thumbnails below for a larger version of the screenshots.

Nintendo DS Screenshots: Sushi Academy

Sushi Academy is a simulation type game in which you prepare and serve sushi. It is kind of fun, but not as entertaining as some other similar type games (i.e. Cooking Mama) I have played. However, I do like it more than computer flash games like this, as the touch screen controls are so much easier for me than using the keyboard and mouse. Overall not really all that interesting, but a little bit of a change of pace from playing other similar games if you are into this genre.

Click the thumbnails below to see a larger version of the screenshots.