So I just got a DS a short while ago. Yeah, you heard right. I bet most folks on here have owned a DS at some point. I still feel regret at not buying a DS during it's prime. I than realized that I'm lucky to be experiencing a ton of new games that others have already enjoyed. So for the most part I've been playing a handheld console instead of my main home consoles. This is especially weird for me as I'm not a huge fan of mobile games unless the games themselves are great. Any who, I've been playing some DS games so let's talk about them.

New Super Mario Bros

Yeah I actually missed out on this game and I'm bummed out that I didn't play it sooner. I honestly haven't played a 2D Mario platformer in a good long while so I was giddy with excitement once I started playing it. In short it's rad. I'm a sucker for good platformers, mario games especially. The game plays like most mario platformers but also brings some cool new tricks. The improved graphics are apparent enough as it does stand out for me. The big surprise for me is seeing a universal art style that is both cool and disappointing considering how safe it looks. I expected an easy mario game with all of the worlds fully available to me. It did the opposite. It actually looks worlds until you find out secret ways to unlock worlds. This caught me for surprise as I gussed that most mario games now were casual experiences that everyone can play and beat without finding out secret exits into the locked worlds. I like what they were going for and it made me go back and look for these exits. The other new additions are new suits like giant mario which I love. Overall it's a solid mario platformer that satisfied my platforming needs.

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story

I freaking love this franchise. It's just so weird considering how tame most mario games are with comedy and even in story. I didn't expect much from Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga as I got it randomly at a Gamestop. I didn't expect to be playing one of my personal favorite games ever. It really is all about the comedy and how oddly charming the whole franchise is. Just think about how weird these games are and how much they each flesh out Mario's universe. This is why I really am loving Bowser's Inside Story. I'm actually surprised that the title of this game doesn't have Bowsers at the front as this is basically more of a Bowser game. The thought of making a mario game that is all about Bowser is crazy. It's risks like this that make me love these games and it really is all about the dialogue between characters. It is just so smartly written and genuinely funny. I still chuckle when either Mario bro talks in their fake Italian language. I absolutely love the treatment that Bowser is given as a sympathetic figure at times. This is the Bowser game that we've always wanted and I love it so far. I'm still playing it so I'll report back in on my final thoughts on it. The combat is pretty much the same thing that we've been playing except we control Bowser this time. My only disappointment with the game so far is how small the world is compared to previous games. I guess it can be excused when I'm fighting giant castles.

I'll report back in with another blog on my DS adventure. Tune in for my thoughts on the first Phoenix Wright game, Elite Beat Agents, and some Layton. I'm chomping at the bit for some more games.

Bye for now.

/Matt