Game Review | Donkey Kong Country Returns

I have been on a video game kick this year. I've been buying games a bit extensively (I can admit this with all honesty). My favorite so far is Donkey Kong Country Returns for the Nintendo Wii. I finally bought this title a few weeks ago and I have been enjoying the game so far with B. Hit the jump for my full review.

Game Review | Disney's Epic Mickey

Video game creators are feeling very epic this holiday season. Disney's Epic Mickey is not "epic," in my own opinion, but it is very un-Mickey. This game shows the harsh side of being a forgotten cartoon. Oswald the Lucky Rabbit has been holding a grudge against Mickey Mouse for quite some time. Now that Mickey has been dragged into a world that he ironically ruined, he has to right some wrongs—or not. 

Epic Mickey allows gamers to decide whether they will be naughty or nice. You can paint and fix the places you visit, or you can choose to thin them out and destroy them. Not only does the environment get your special touch, the people do as well. You can gain their favor or you can piss them off entirely. Depending on the actions you choose, your play experience will change. 

Certain tasks will help you in the end while others might cause you more work (a LOT more work). If you choose to be mean, you can miss out on special extras. If you are always nice, you might not notice a hidden path or object. In the end, whether you allow your conscience to be your guide or not, Epic Mickey is a fun, slightly different game with an engaging plot.

Graphically, you get some nice 3D atmosphere as well as some 2D, simplified animated stories. You also get some platform action while you head between projectors (and the opportunity to be part of classic Disney cartoon shorts). There are plenty of things to catch the eye—was that a Mickey Mouse phone? Yes, it was, and you can dial it. The music can be somewhat eerie at times ("It's a Small World" for example), but it matches your particular situation. Expect a somewhat nerve-wracking change in music when enemies are present. 

So, if you decide to follow my somewhat erratic post, you're waiting to know whether I'd tell you to purchase this release. Well, as an avid fan of all things Disney, I recommend this game to all my fellow Disney fans. You might not be as impressed if you dislike the franchise. The play is not terribly difficult—you get unlimited lives, and the game saves automatically and often. However, for true gamers, there will be the collection aspect. I enjoy interacting with the other cartoon characters and running errands for them. This makes the gameplay richer and more entertaining. So, should you buy it? I say yes, but if you don't trust me, rent it and see for yourself.

Game Review | Kirby's Epic Yarn

I've played enough of the newly released Kirby's Epic Yarn to give a rather cohesive review. For those who are familiar with Kirby and all of his fluffy pinkness, this new video game will change your thoughts about him. Instead of his usual ability to suck up enemies (and spit them out or copy their abilities), you are a yarn version of Kirby. Gone are the days of sucking things up like only Kirby can. Instead, you can become various vehicles and you use your "lasso" of yarn to grab and destroy enemies or other obstacles. 

I'm torn about the graphics. Some of the backgrounds are very competitive, but the imagination put into each scene is definitely worth more than a small personal issue of mine. The way that sand is shown as unraveling yarn reveals how creative and thoughtful the developers were while they made this piece. After you beat each level, you gain a patch that when properly placed allows you to continue to the next level. 

Besides the usual levels, you can also bring the collected items you've found and add them to an apartment complex. If you bring all of the correct items to an apartment, a friend will move in and additional mini-games will open up to you. It's a good way to keep the gameplay fresh and give you something else to do if you are facing a difficult level. 

Another nice extra is your own place. You can decorate it with anything you find in the levels. Thanks to the beads scattered all over Patch Land, you can purchase more objects or wallpaper/flooring from the stores.

So, if you enjoy the standard platform game but want a bit of a twist, Kirby's Epic Yarn will definitely be worth your hard-earned money. It's great for kids because you can't really die. If you have a friend over, they can even join the fun and you can play the day away. 

Game Review | Trauma Team

I've had some time to consult with my inner surgeon/first response/orthopedic surgeon/endoscopic surgeon/diagnostic consultant/forensic scientist thanks to Atlus' Trauma Team video game. You really get to be "hands-on" with the various fields you can explore. While the dialogue is awful and slow, the actual gameplay is fabulous. You have to stay calm and perform your particular task. This has so many different fields, so it will be a tad bit long. Hit the jump for details.

Image via screenshot of Trauma Team's Official Website

Game Review | Wii Fit Plus

I was fortunate enough to receive Wii Fit Plus for Christmas. Now, after a few weeks of game play, I think I am ready to talk about it. I never played the original Wii Fit, but it seems that the biggest updates to it were in the addition of several new mini-games and more advanced strength and yoga exercises. However, I'm not here to review Wii Fit, I'm reviewing Wii Fit Plus. There are plenty of great things to say, so hit the jump.

Image via Destructoid

Game Review | New Super Mario Bros. Wii

You have to love Mario. Something about Italian plumbers and Toads just really gets my Wii nerves flowing. Therefore, I'm going to share my New Super Mario Bros. Wii experience with you. Hit the jump for the review.

Something I "Wii"ll buy

November 15th? I'm all over it. You can pre-order now, or you can wait until it drops.

This really is epic

Oswald the Rabbit vs. Mickey Mouse. Two rivals in an interesting plot. The unsuccessful cartoon characters against their successful counterparts. Mickey Mouse plunges into a world controlled by Oswald. Is anyone else as excited as I am that this is going to be on the Wii? To stay up to date on the game's progress, check out Game Informer.

via electro^plankton

What is Sony thinking?

The PSP Go will be coming out soon (by soon, I mean I don't know the exact date, but sometime this week maybe). Still, I read the review on Engadget and I already know that I'm not making the switch. "Why?" you ask? Simple. The PSP Go, which will not play UMDs or work with any of my accessories, is going to cost $249.99. Do you know what that means? That's the price of a Wii! That's $50 less than the PS3 Slim! That's a brand new keyboard! So I ask, "What is Sony thinking?"

Image via CNET/CBS Interative

My "Wiishlist"

Nintendo does a good job of coming out with really good games quickly. One that has been out for a while that I have wanted is Wii Fit. Now, they are making it extremely difficult for me to say no. The popular bundle is getting an upgrade. On Monday, you can get your hands on the Wii Fit Plus! Apparently, it includes updates to your favorite exercises and expanded settings. I really want this, but between a Wii Fit Plus bundle and a kitten, a kitten wins. If you already have the Wii Fit bundle, you can buy an upgrade CD for $20. Get your work out on!

Nintendo, you tease

Sources say that Nintendo will be bringing black Wiimotes to the US, but alas, not black Wii consoles. Talk about a letdown! On the bright side, the DSi is getting more colors—pink and white. Read on Engadget for more.

Gaming cuts

Lately, the prices of video game consoles seem as though they are continually being cut. The surprisingly cheaper PS3 Slim will be released next month with a brand new look and logo (thank goodness that Spiderman looking logo will be gone). Apparently, the folks at Microsoft had to compete by lowering the prices of the Xbox 360. The elite is now at the same $300 price range as the PS3 Slim. If you buy the Xbox 360 Pro edition, you will find that it is the same price as the $250 Wii. Now the only question I have for you is how many people will go buy an Xbox 360 when they could buy a PS3 Slim or a Wii for the exact same price? Hopefully a new marketing campaign is coming along with these lowered prices. To follow more about the Xbox 360's recent price cut, check out PC World.

Game Recommendation | Wii

Obviously, I am in love with video games and I'd like to throw an upcoming gem out there for your radar. Coming sometime in the not so near future, Nintendo will release New Super Mario Brothers Wii! From the description on the company's site, the game boasts cooperative or competitive multi-player goodness (up to 4 participants at once). This should not only make the game more enjoyable, but more interactive. Also, they are hinting at a new Penguin Mario! CUTE!