Quick Review: The 3DS Launch

Quick Review:

Super Monkey Ball 3D

Developed by Dimps

Published by Sega

for the Nintendo 3DS

Released March 27th, 2011

Sega's favorite simian foursome are back and in 3D but unfortunately they do not bring much else along for the ride. Super Monkey Ball 3D offers three different modes; monkey ball, monkey race, and monkey fight. Monkey Ball and Monkey Race bring the most quality to the game but end up getting repetitive and bland. Monkey Fight offers a watered down Smash Bros. coin battle to players looking for a fight. Unfortunately, it's not much fun either. It's basically a button mash minigame. The online is almost non-existent as the system could not find anybody playing the game. Is it a flaw in its online mode or is it just that no one bought this game; who knows. The music and sound effects are generic and forgettable and the graphics are unimpressive. The 3D even seems stiff with nothing really ever popping out. Super Monkey Ball 3D is fun in a few doses but does not offer much more than a few unlockables in the long run.

Details -

Genre: Minigame, puzzle, racer,

ESRB Rating: E for Everyone (Cartoon Violence)

Player Options: 1-Player, 2 - 4 Player Download/Online Play recommended)

Difficulty: Easy

Learning Curve: Pick-Up-And-Go

Stats -

Graphics: 3/5

Sound: 2/5

Playability: 3/5

Lasting Appeal: 2/5

Fun: 2/5

18 Hit-Combo

Weak

Quick Review:

Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition

Developed by Capcom

Published by Capcom

for the Nintendo 3DS

Released March 27th, 2011

This installment of Street Fighter IV is an incredible port that is true to the original game in almost every way. The music and voice acting are just as great as the console versions but of course the 3DS speakers take a little away from quality but not enough to not give the 360 and PS3 versions sound a run for their money. The graphics look beautiful in all its cel-shaded glory. It's nearly impossible to tell the 3DS' versions visuals from the consoles'. 3D Edition loses little from its console iteration. The characters, the venues, the costumes, the missions, and the cutscenes are all crammed intact into the handheld. The online is rather impressive. There were a lot less laggy matches than I expected there to be and most of the matches flowed wonderfully. Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition is the one game that defined the 3DS launch. It single-handedly demonstrated its graphical ability, its online capability and its all around power. If you've bought a 3DS there should be no excuse not to own Super Street Fighter.

Details -

Genre: Fighter

ESRB Rating: T for Teen (Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence)

Player Options: 1-Player, 2-Player (recommended)

Difficulty: Expert

Learning Curve: Harsh

Stats -

Graphics: 5/5

Sound: 5/5

Playability: 3/5

Lasting Appeal: 5/5

Fun: 5/5

32 Hit-Combo!!

Superb!

Quick Review:

Nintendogs & Cats

Developed by Nintendo EAD Group No. 1

Published by Nintendo

for the Nintendo 3DS

Released March 27th, 2011

It's Nintendogs . . . with Cats now. What else do you want?