It's easy to forget that, in the DS days, there was a market for a number of 'mid-tier' games at retail - not quite triple-A hits, and not overtly casual sims or brain training games, but enjoyable games nevertheless that were well worth checking out. Monster Tale certainly counts as one of these, developed by DreamRift and published by Majesco; it combined action platforming with some clever dual screen action, in which you trained and utilised a cute buddy (Chomp) to help out.
The good news is that DreamRift is bringing it back, but remastering it as a 3DS eShop exclusive - it'll be called Monster Tale Ultimate. Revealed in the latest Nintendo Force magazine, it'll rejig key aspects of gameplay; backtracking will be scaled back, while there'll be visual improvements, autostereoscopic 3D, and even the option to switch between the DS version's chiptune soundtrack or a new orchestral version. All told, it sounds rather promising.
Due in the next few months, it'll surely be a welcome arrival on the eShop, and will give Monster Tale another chance to shine.
A trailer for the DS version is below - do you think you'll pick this up?
[source nintendoforcemagazine.com, via nintendoeverything.com]
Comments 48
This game's art style reminds me of Joe and Mac. Pretty neat, I may get it, we'll see.
Yes, I'm so psyched for this! I got to try out the Monster Tale on DS but wasn't able to play further, sadly. Hope the price doesn't exceed $20.
Great, but the price is gonna be $40 or less on the eShop?
They're doing it wrong, its supposed to be Monster Tales Remastered
Still have the DS cartridge, my kid got stuck and moved on, I always wanted to play it but doubt I would double dip. This and Solatarobo.
I remember seeing this in Nintendo Power. It looked interesting, but I never got it.
I actually bought this game a few months ago at Best Buy for five dollars new. I remember someone here recommending it as a hidden gem of the DS library. I beat it just last weak. It was quite good.
Cool, I've never seen or heard of the DS version, but it looks promising. Will definately keep my eye out for this one.
This actually looks interesting. Will see how much it is then decide.
Please, please oh please, let this game come out worldwide this time. Back when this game was announced, I was incredibly eager to play this game. That was to be expected, it was the first game by the newly formed DreamRift, a studio formed by the creators of the marvellous Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure. It also looked awesome in of itself, the concept and gameplay were unique and appealing.
The game never came. At least, Monster Tale never became available to me, it was a US only DS game that never made it to the EU. It became yet another game I'd bring up when hearing US gamers complain about games not arriving to their region, those in the US usually are a lot luckier than those in the EU.
So I'm absolutely ecstatic about the news of this game. I really do hope it gets an EU release, as this is one game I'm eager to snap up immediately and play. I look forward to playing Monster Tale Ultimate!
Good news, I really liked it on DS, I wouldn't mind to buy it again if this version will get released worldwide
@SpriteMaster Cause it never got released outside the US sadly, I had to import it after an italian magazine said ton of praises about it togheter with the develloper comment that was confirming no intention to publish it in PAL territories. If I remember well they feared no sales cause in their opinion most pal players interested would have pirated the game by the time the localization was ready.
I didn't like the look of this before, so the gameplay tweaks are gonna be essential in determining whether or not I buy it.
I already have the DS game, don't know if I'd want to double dip. It's pretty fun for a Metroid clone, but not quite as meaty as the real thing. I didn't get super far yet, but I'm not sure how they can cut out MORE backtracking, it doesn't have very much to begin with (which I see as a flaw for this genre of game).
The original game came out pretty late in the DS's life, and the box art looked like some generic shovelware title. Hopefully they make a lot more sales on the eShop, it deserves it.
@BakaKnight That's a shame. Hopefully this eshop release will push them to release it elsewhere and expand their fanbase. I might not keep my hopes up though.
Game always looked iteresting to me. I remember reading about it in Nintendo Power long ago. By the way did anyone notice the Goron symbol on the rock kids shirt?
They couldnt have chosen a better subtitle than Ultimate? at this point it feels they are are deliberately trying to confuse the game with Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
I always wanted this but it wasn't released in Europe. So yeah, count me in.
I hope they make it easier to unlock dark chomp.
This was one of my top 5 favorite games for the original DS, so I'm all over this when it comes out. Really glad to hear that maybe the folks that overlooked it the first time around will be able to have a go at it.
Looks engaging. I'm legitly interested.
this game was great
Please let there be new game plus. Please let there be new game plus.
That's it! Those mid-tier games! I knew that I missed something from old generations consoles (handhelds and home ones). Mega hits AAA or usually overly simple casual games is the only two options nowdays! Now I know why I feel that we got few good games. Thanks Thomas!
I have to admit I was excited when I saw the title and then a bit disappointed. Don't get me wrong I really like this game but DreamRift had talked about doing a sequel some time back and I had thought that was what this was going to be.
I'm curious to see how they fix some of the backtracking as later in the game its a bit annoying. Having a little bit of fast travel somewhere wouldn't hurt. Though I would like them to do more with the ending of the game this time around. They do a lot of telling the player how everything worked out instead of showing the player. It'd be nice to see a few extra images that actually show the ending happening rather than having a character show up to say it all at you.
I did really like this game otherwise. Not sure the changes would be enough for me to buy it again when I still have a fully functioning cart but I know this didn't get released widely so I'm hoping this is them trying out the eshop and working towards a sequel.
The spritework is nice, and the animations are good as well, but the designs could really use a bit more style and polish. They look more like pitch ideas than finalized characters and enemies.
Well, I'd probably get it - the general effort is pretty admirable, after all. Just Majesco (worst publisher right after Ignition Games) worries me a lot.
This is one of those always-meant-to-get-around-to-playing titles that I actually did around to playing. Mid-tier describes it perfectly, and it is one of the better examples of such. Without Chomp the backtracking would have been a bit much, but if you wanted to develop his forms to a significant degree you were going to have to grind anyway and could backtrack while doing so. If I want to replay the game I'll double-dip, but there aren't many games I have time to get around to replaying.
I really enjoyed Monster Tale so I think I'll buy this version whenever it comes out.
@SirQuincealot
Yes, I was momentarily excited when I was looking at article titles.
When I was scrolling down, I saw the tips of the wings and my brain went 'CHARIZARD!'
This is not a Charizard.
Never heard of it, but I'm definitely interested. Let's see if it can deliver.
Oh yeah, I remember this game. I got it at Five Below just to have a game to play over the weekend, and ended up loving it! Might pick this one up if its less than $20
This game is an overlooked gem. I recommend it for anyone who loves Metroid-style platformers. Also the mini-pet sim is a fun little distraction. I would happily pay for this one again. Fun stuff.
I loved this game! But i'll probably skip out on this new version unless it actually adds more/new content as opposed to gameplay "tweaks" and visuals. Still, glad it's resurfaced for folk to try
Fantastic title that is getting the second chance it deserves.
Hopefully this time they allow for NES/GBA style controls as opposed to SNES style.
I loved the DS game, but it was too short IMO.
Interesting.
I still have the DS version, so I hope there's enough new content to justify double-dipping.
LOL, wow! I almost bought this a few months ago on Amazon and now I'm glad I passed on it. Very lucky!
@Kaze_Memaryu Don't let the "Majesco" badge fool you, not everything they publish on handhelds is shovelware.
This news just made my year. I loved the original on the DS and I can't wait for the new version.
And to think, last month I was trying to remember the title to this game. xD I've played the DS version and loved it. I unlocked all of the forms though painstakingly arduous training and grinding to get enough coins to drop in game. I'm looking forward to double dip because I can't find my original cart...
Yes please, wonderful game deserves another go at a better audience.
Though I'm not quite sure what they mean by "backtracking", as it was pretty short even by Metroidvania speedrunning standards.
looks quite interesting, i'll keep an eye on it.
One of the games I couldn't get on DS. Make it cheap and I'll download it! And please do the same with Professor Hatsworth!
@Asaki That's not what's worrying me. They're simply not good publishers in general, especially when translating games they publish.
This game is so obscure it's an exception to Rule 34. (Don't ask how I know this.)
It's definitely a "mid-tier" game, though! It's far from perfect, but it has a lot of charm to it. Bought it a few months ago, but haven't beat it yet. Hope it's released for a reasonable price, it deserves to be more well known.
Currently playing this game and loving it.I'm willing to purchase this "ultimate" version if it has a good amount of improvements
I always thought Monster Tale was an overlooked gem, I put a lot of time into the game and really liked it. It was fun and different. I was never willing to trade it in so I still have it. Really looking forward to this! Its been a long time since I played so it will be a perfect revisit
Um, excuse me, where the hell is this game now? -_-
2021 says hello and the ultimate version has been re-announced.
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/01/nintendo_ds_platformer_monster_tale_is_making_a_comeback_on_modern_consoles
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