I was thrilled to see the Giana Sisters on a store shelf here in Australia about a week ago (really wasn't expecting it to be so prevalent here in Australia), so I snaffled it up. I got through it a few hours ago. Frigging GREAT game. I have fond memories of playing SMB on my cousins' nintendo back in the 80s, and this game is a pretty good match to that feeling.

Where NSMB has diversified, Giana Sisters has appeared to have ratified and simplified and what you're left with is an incredibly simple premise, done very, very well. I would recommend it to any fan of the Genre.

But I have a question if anyone is able to help me: I have read in more than one place that (a) there is some way to unlock the original game and (b) some levels have alternate endings which lead to different levels.

I've played this game WAY too much in the last week. I got through it today, and once I find every red jewel in the last few levels of world 8, I will have as far as I can see completed EVERYTHING there is to do in the game. Is there any actual hard, first-hand information that confirms that the original game is unlockable, or that there are any more alternate levels out there on hiding? Or are these crazy rumours the result of some over optimistic speculation??

Gamefaqs it perhaps?

@BooNelson: here's what GameFAQs has to say about unlocking levels in that game. Is it really that great? As a platformer fan, i've been curious about it; i'd have to import it in order to play it though. Do you think it's worth an import?

@theblackdragon That game doesnt deserve an import. It's pretty ok, but the princes in Europe are way higher than US. Yo could spend 60$ more or less on importing a DS game, shippment not included.

@zoipi: i know; i've looked into auction sites too, and the lowest i've ever come across, shipping included, was upwards of $50. I'm just wondering if this game is really fulfilling for a platformer, has interesting level design and all that, and/or if it's got good replay value. I like the idea of unlockable stuff, and I wonder how hard it really is to get through the game without seeing the 'game over' screen... :3

Yeah touché, GameFAQs. Thanks for the links!

BlackDragon, I don't wanna be responsible for you investing that kind of money just on my say so , but I really do think it's that good. It takes most of its cues from Mario (obviously, given its heritage), but with no run feature the physics are markedly different. Has big replay value, imo.

As for not seeing the Game Over Screen? Think of the lives situation thusly: if you run out of lives its your own stoopid fault, not because the game is simple from start to finish but because you have access to any level you have completed, from any world, at any time. So if you're running low because somewhere in world 7 is a real beast, then just pop back to level 1-1. So, you know. Having completed the game I still don't know what the Game Over screen looks like.

There are a number of levels or parts of levels that have, for all intents and purposes, identical mechanics, dynamic and level design as the underwater levels of the original Donkey Kong Country. The fact that these levels aren't underwater obscures the similarity a little bit, but it's a pretty transparent inspiration / homage once you realise.

I dunno, just take this praise from where it's coming: I used to love Mario Bros on my friend's NES in the 80s, I loved Super Mario Kart in the early 90s, I almost crapped my pants when I first saw how great Donkey Kong Country was when it first came out, and it was after 2 or 3 years of playing Super Mario Land 2 to death that I fell out of the Nintendo loop altogether. So, you know. To me, this is a frigging great surprise to have such a refined 'modern' 2D platformer in the 'classic' style.

Oh -- but don't get your hopes up regarding any of the unlockable content. More a cherry on top than a draw card.

thanks for the honest opinion, Boo. guess I'll keep checking in on eBay occasionally to see if anyone puts up a copy on the cheap. :3

Seeing as I'm not Australian, an explanation of this "Giana Sisters" game would be much appreciated.

@V8 Ninja http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Giana_Sisters