Pads & Panels

Title: Super Mario 3D Land

Platform: 3DS

ESRB: E

Publisher: Nintendo

Developer: Nintendo EAD Tokyo

Rating:

Review by: Matt Peters

A Nintendo launch without a Mario game just doesn’t feel right. That may be the reason why the Nintendo 3DS stalled out of the gate. That empty space has now been filled, as Nintendo gives us Super Mario 3D Land. With a few new tricks up his sleeve and his signature hat, Mario’s ready to save the Princess again. Fortunately, this adventure was worth the wait. (more…)

The Electronic Entertainment Expo meant a few things for a few different reasons for me, but mostly it was NINTENDO. To paraphrase Ralphie from A Christmas Story, it was total “electric sex.” And sure, much could be said about Nintendo still having trouble, if you can call it that, developing new intellectual properties. However, I wouldn’t call it that. I’d say it’s them smartly sticking to what works, and why not?

After a number of E3s having passed with Nintendo not really announcing much aside from the more “productive” gaming peripherals and casual games, I was happy as a pig in shit to see not only a new Zelda, but a killer new Metroid trailer, Donkey Kong Country Returns – a big “wow” moment for me – Kirby’s Epic Yarn, a new Mario Kart, and that’s just the few that really stuck out to me. (more…)

Title: Bookworm

Platform: DS

ESRB: E

Publisher: PopCap Games

Developer: PopCap Games

Rating:

Review by: Sarah Kumley

The PC addiction of Bookworm is now available on the Nintendo DS. This version plays much like the original, with some new additions. The goal is to find and spell out words in a collection of letter tiles. Longer and more complex words net the player more points. The player can also unlock more library rooms by spelling longer words. Twenty bonus books offer players a chance to find specific words in the tiles. Each book has a different theme, with twelve words to find that vary in length and difficulty. There are three different modes to play: classic, action and multiplayer. The classic mode is just that – the original version. Action mode really keeps the player on edge by causing fire tiles to appear every few seconds and the game is over if they reach the bottom. Multiplayer mode pits players who also own Bookworm on the DS against each other in a race to be the first to reach a goal score. (more…)