Dang...I just aced all the levels this past weekend! I should have waited so I could enjoy the better 3D.

But dosen't this mean, with the new levels, that the critics will have to do a new review?

No. No it doesn't.

Good luck Phillip getting stars in MSF. I've got them all, even the last level, but they were sure hard!

You are truly a god!

If Paul's brother's name actually is Paul's Brother, I am officially buying this.

That's the only way I've seen him referred to in-game, so while he technically might have a different name, they sure aren't up front about telling us what it is!

I was expecting this, after reading NP and they gave it a 6.5 or a 7 I had a hunch @Chicken_Brutus would be review this and give it a 3.

It's almost as though different people have different opinions about video games!

3DSWare PLZ

Verrrrry much interested in this. Brilliant idea...let's hope it pans out!

It was listed as a negative, yes, but not a mobile-specific negative. If you choose to continue to draw that conclusion — despite me telling you explicitly otherwise — be my guest.

As such, I think its unfair to penalize Amoebattle for not being mobile

Did we...do that? We would have preferred shorter missions, yes, but we said nothing about that being due to its status as a 3DS game as opposed to, say, a Wii one. More frequent breaking points are always welcome, however you're playing the game. That was not a mobile-specific criticism.

It also wasn't "penalized." Reviews don't start at 10 and then knock off a point for anything we bring up as a potential issue. We bring up issues as we see them, and those issues may not necessarily affect the score. The review is here to give you a strong idea of what to expect from the game...whether or not we think those things are severe enough to affect the score. The final score takes everything into account as is, and is then used as a simple indicator of what we thought...it's not a math problem!

I'm just glad that I now have a definitive answer the next time somebody asks "What do you want for 200 points?"

Also, does it have replay value?

I would say no...or at least not inherently so. You may well wish to traipse through it again at some point as it's quite fun, but the missions are pass/fail so there's no real incentive to go back and do "better."

So what happens to the original owner? They just get away with selling damaged games?

No idea. They do keep your personal information on file though, so it may prevent you from selling back in the future.

So does this mean that checking an used game's condition before putting it on sale isn't a common practice at GameStop?

That is correct. They expect the customer to take it home and playtest it, and bring it back for a refund if it doesn't work.

Party on!

I apologize for making you write and think about this game for another few minutes.

Haha! No worries. I meant to reply to you yesterday but was on my phone and couldn't do so easily. I'm glad you checked back for a response, and whatever you choose to purchase I hope you guys enjoy it!

Please, Cat Frenzy, stay in Europe.

@Krimbatize:
No, the game does not make a big deal about the tickets coming out of the machine, nor redeeming them for prizes. In fact, blink and you'll miss the brief and unsatisfying animation of the tickets, which occurs mainly out of sight! The sound effects also make no attempt to sound like a Chuck E. Cheese.

You're correct that a small child might have difficulty scoring perfect games, but I can't answer for your own — or for any! — as to how much they'll enjoy swiping a stylus upward over and over again. If they will enjoy that, in spite of the broken state of the games themselves, then that suggests to me that they'll enjoy doing it in any game, and you'd be better off finding something better and cheaper.

But, again, that's just me. Reviews can't tell you what games you will enjoy...they can only explain the experience and leave you to judge how much you'd enjoy it for yourself!

Can we get a Block Factory review?

NO

/me checks review assignments

/me commits suicide

At only $10, with online multiplayer, this could be a good download.

Agreed. It'll be nice to have some online racing fun without having to swap out whatever cartridge I'm using for Mario Kart. Bring it on, Renegade Kid.

Wow, this looks a lot better than I expected. Awesome review, Mike!

Finally submitted mine. Fingers crossed.

I've had this on pre-order at Amazon for a while...I've been informed of a changed release date more times than I can imagine, and now I find out it's actually in stores before Amazon will even start shipping. Hooray for pre-ordering!

Do you guys have to try and review everything?

Yes! And...

I mean, wouldn't you rather be a chemical test lab rat?

Yes.

The game is hard, yes, but I think we all need to stop thinking of challenge as a negative point unless it's just unfair.

Just to clarify — and I know you weren't referring directly to the review — no points were taken off for difficulty, and I absolutely agree that I prefer this hands-off exploratory approach! It was, however, worth mentioning in the review as a potential issue for those who prefer later, more forgiving Zelda entries.

Great review, Ron. I knew this was going to be awesome, so it's nice to see that the dev's lived up the hype.

Anne's Doll Studio: Tokyo Collection (Gamebridge, 500pts)

NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

@henroid:
I was definitely impressed by this one. So many times we see DSiWare that just seems to be released half-cooked, so to speak. It was nice to see that this was a surprisingly solid puzzle experience. Keep up the great work!

I'm real tired of Mario

Stay tuned.

Get to it, James!

So what is 90s about it???

If you figure it out, please let us know!

@Jamouse: Opposing sports teams are very rarely made up of your friends!

I remember it well. I pre-ordered it. It came with a keychain, and a rubber ball shaped like Mario.

I'm not telling you the date though. It comes to my grave!!

It's interesting to note that aside from that one week (Bionic Commando. VVVVVV), NA has never received both a VC game and an eShop original on the same day.

VVVVVV isn't an eshop original though. At least no moreso than any of the remastered 3D Classics were.

What an awful week. Now I'll have to spend more time playing Kid Icarus! NOOOOOOO

Definitely doing this.

Yes, but the presentation of the game affects other scores. The retro review of metros gave it a 6/10, while your gave it a 8/10 using some advantages of the system to justify it.

Nice assumption, but no. The difference in score is down to a difference in reviewer. If anything "justified" my 8/10 review of Metroid, it was my enjoyment of the game itself...not advantages of the system!

Really? I could probably give them "consistant". But "excellent"?

I personally love the CC series. If it seems a bit too simplistic for your tastes, try Castle Conqueror: Heroes. It's turn-based and offers much more depth in terms of strategy. That's if — and I understand this is a big if! — you wanted to give them another shot.

I'm starting to think when Circle says "with a twist" its time to start running.

You and me both!

One thing I am shocked that none of the Game Gear reviews have mentioned are the special features that these releases include. They have tons of options: customizable button mapping, three screen modes [...]

Those aren't game specific, though, and really not suited to reviews of those individual games. That would be like us reviewing the console's home menu every time we reviewed a Wii or 3DS game!

Indeed, the emulation on these GG games is top notch, and I'd kill for Nintendo to update the Game Boy games in a similar fashion.

I didn't discuss it in the review because it's not specific to the game, but the effort put into these GG games is just wonderful.

GG Mega Man is garbage.

Even so, I'd download it immediately.

I'm so confused. Are prices supposed to be taken into consideration with review scores or not?

As a product requiring an exchange of currency in order to play it, yes, I think actual monetary value should be taken into account.

Son, vonseux is disappoint

Yeah, what's up with that? I get the reviews are made by two different people, but there's practically no difference between both versions besides portability. And quicksaving. And I guess graphics, since they look better on a small screen. And the ability to suspend the game and take notes, which allows you to make your own map.

OK, I honestly started this post agreeing with you, but now that I actually think about it, this is clearly the superior version. You know what? I'm going to buy it right now.

I nominate this post for Hall of Fame status.

I don't really understand the multiplayer aspect. How does that work? Is it on the same handheld?

Yep, same handheld. Think of the 3DS as a console, rather than a controller.

I experienced no more flicker here than I ever have with the game, which is why I didn't find it to be worthy of remark. Sorry to disappoint!

I could give you a very long explanation about how critical it is for art to push boundaries - of good taste, of 'decency', of morals and ethics.

And I could provide an explanation at least as long about why it's not Nintendo's (or any specific company's) obligation to provide an outlet for such art. The artist in this case attempted to secure a platform, and the owner of that platform declined. As is their right.

As I said before, I am very disappointed in Nintendo for stifling this game

The game is not "stifled" in any sense of the word. It exists, it's readily available, and they may still seek other platforms.

I like The Binding of Isaac. I think it's a great game and a genuine artistic statement. But by no means do I think Nintendo is doing anyone a disservice by choosing not to associate themselves with it. They're a business first and foremost...not an exhibition hall.

EDIT: And now I've done a blog about it.
http://noiselesschatter.com/2012/02/29/noiseless-chatter-spotlight-the-binding-of-isaac-2011/

Everything Wolf said above. This is great news.

Are you going to amend your review when Kid Icarus comes out and you can use the stand?

Of course! We amend all of our past reviews whenever irrelevant peripherals are released. You just haven't noticed!

Yes you can.