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Game Review: Mario and Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story

April Apoong — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:19:34 +0000

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Adam Sandler once sang in The Wedding Singer,”All I wanna do is grow old with you,” which for many, whether we intended to or not, happened in the case of Mario and friends . Till this day, we can still see small children getting introduced to the ever flourishing franchise.

Who are we talking about? We are talking about the short, confident, Italian plumber who wears a trade mark red hat and overalls. Throw in his taller, more socially awkward younger brother who sports an identical outfit only in green. Also in the mix would be the dragon like figure bent on kidnapping a certain princess of the mushroom Kingdom.

Now Mario, Luigi, Bowser, Princess Peach and many other familiar faces are back for another game. So what’s happening in the world of Mario now? There are so many examples that could be used to explain the whole situation but the most simple is one quote:

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

Like in WWII there was a common enemy that wanted to take over the world. As in the textbooks, two opposing forces will become one in order to overcome this greater evil. Whether they wanted to or not, they’re going to inadvertently work together.

Enemy: Fawful

Goal: Save the world so life can go back to normal.

Well at least they get the job done, unlike Aquaman

At the start of the game, we quickly debriefed about the situation of the Kingdom. It seems that the citizens have developed a sickness which occurs when the victim is exposed to a Mushroom called “Blob Shroom”. The victim inflates to a tremendous size and rolls around without control of what direction. With the situation getting dire and the cure not becoming apparent, a plan of action must be made in order to bring order and peace back.

So, a meeting is called, and in attendance is important figures like, Starlow a representative of the Star Sprites, Princess Peach and of course the Mario brothers. However, their meeting was cut short by non other than our favorite Villain King, Bowser, who ruins the meeting. Of course he’s not welcome in the meeting and is thus kicked out. Such a quick defeat for our friend Godzill…. Bowser.

Now with Fawful as the antagonist in this game he has two problems to deal with.

1. Mario and Luigi
2. Bowser

How does he deal with them? Well kill the head of the beast and the rest will fall? His kooky plan: Make Bowser eat everyone that could possibly put a fight against him. His assumption, the oaf can be defeated easily with him and his infinite knowledge. As in the traditional stories, the saying never give up, never surrender comes into play. That is exactly what we see because they need to find the cure and save the princess by kicking Fawful butt. Everyone is of course is safe in the belly of Bowser and so Mario and Luigi do their part by helping Bowser out from the inside when the going gets tough.

How does this story play out you ask? Well give it a try and see if it’s your cup of tea. For now, shall we get into the nitty gritty of this title? Hear, hear! That’s why we’re all here!

Gameplay
It can look nice and all that jazz but does it work well? Beauty and no brains can still equal to an enormous flop with the people. Being the bearer of news, this game has an excellent grasp of where it needs to be and how it should play out.

Burn baby burn

As you play the game you are given control over Bowser, Mario, and Luigi. Playing as either Bowser or the brothers really is an experience. The battle format remains the same as you enter into battle as one or the other party. It is all simply choosing the attacking and pressing the button at the exact moment to make the damage larger against opponents. For special attacks it varies from the different choices. Memorizing game where you must remember which barrel each brother is hiding within to have a greater damage. While some other attacks are more on controlling the character to catch certain items.

To help out in the heat of battle are badges, certain combination can really get you out of tough situations. The gauge meter for it depends on how well you perform an attack, the more excellent hits you get the gauge goes up. When the gauge is filled and when the time is right you can activate it and either receive more health, or more power with each hit. It all really depends on which badges you combine.

When playing are the brothers you control their actions with the A and B button. For example pressing both buttons simultaneously will make both brothers jump. Or pressing them one at a time will make one brother act first. As you get further into the game more actions such as going underground and gliding will be added to the list of actions available. The triggers at the top allow you to choose which action to use.

For most part though a lot of the game is played as our favorite baddie. All his actions like Mario and Luigi are on the X and Y buttons, changing his actions are controlled via the triggers. When playing as him there are few little perks that have been added.

Like mentioned earlier this game is about co-operation between the three. On several occasion Bowser will need help from the brothers whether he knows it or not. Having earned the ability to eat enemies which will be dealt with swiftly by the brothers.

This gives the "keep your enemies closer" quote a whole new meaning

Aside from switching fights from time to time between them. For Bowser there is a special Giant Battle mode, when playing there will be a few battles where you face the enemy as a giant. The controls are at its best really. Unlike the regular battles where you press buttons in correct time in order to have a greater attack. You are given the opportunity to have a more interactive battle. Throwing a punch would require sliding the stylus across the screen as quickly as possible. And my personal favorite breathing fire has you breathing into the mic. Although I did run into a few problems with the response with some of the touchscreen games which made it difficult for me.

The battle system explained, we can take a look at just how everything really does work in the game. Everything being a whole point A to point B, the whole story progresses with getting past certain obstacles of course. Getting past them is always a unique experience, aside from the typical boss battles there are many mini-games that will greet you along the way. For example to make Bowser boost up in order to further the story, as Mario and Luigi you must find a way to stimulate his muscle. The mini-game encounter is one that depends on you to hit the energy orbs into the muscle in correct order which also requires timing. At times though the sheer amount of mini-games really can leave a person weary. There were just too many of them for my own liking.

Graphics
What is there really to say? The graphics look great. At first glance you would assume that it’s the same ol’ thing. But second glances are well worth it as you see that the movements of the characters are smooth. The designs of the characters are well done and look superb really. My only problems with the graphics were during the giant battle mode, with the characters looking slightly pixilated. Aside from that there are really no big complaints about how it looks. I really loved the victory poses they struck every time they leveled up.

Sound
Don’t fix it if it ain’t broken. They most certainly didn’t do anything drastic to throw off long time followers of this game. Mario and Luigi are still speaking gibberish in the game although it is really entertaining to listen to them as other characters really tell us what the two are saying. Each character making their own specific sound to simulate them actually speaking as the speech bubble appears above them. Although I’m not really fond of Peaches voice in this one, something about it is unpleasant and annoying to my ears. Sound effects from jumping from one point to another, using the hammers and other actions still haven’t changed.

When it comes to the music itself in the game, you won’t mind listening to these tunes throughout. They don’t ever become boring; they become tunes that simply get stuck in your head. The music has also been carefully selected to fit the mood or the moment. Music was perfect in my ears.

Replay
In terms of going over and replaying the game again and again and again. There are many extra things that you could go back to try and find such as beans and scattered puzzle pieces. There’s even a challenge area which consists many of the challenges from earlier in the game. Although there are many things to go back for, at moments during the game you could turn back and look for these items and do these challenges. It never is too late to go back and find those items. There really isn’t much to go back for and one would only do so out of the sheer love of the story.

Verdict
This has got to be one of the best Mario games out there. The script is amazing and even I was surprised when a few giggles escaped from me when playing. Controls are easy to get hang off and despite being a new Mario game it takes a lot from the older games and improves upon it. Although there are a few minor problems and an awful lot of mini-games, it is something that can be overlooked because this game is just that great. With the gaming taking out a good 20+ hours of your time, Mario enthusiast will positively love his.

Gameplay   4.5 /5
Graphics      4.5/5
Sound               5/5
Replay         3.5/5

Disney Sing It: Pop Hits coming soon

April Apoong — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:44:38 +0000

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Disney Interactive Studios has announced recently that there will be a Disney Sing It: Pop Hits, available to the masses. With the game being a multi-platform karaoke style title letting everyone the chance to give it a try. There will be a lot of familiar songs and expect singing tips along side vocal lessons from Tiffany Thornton herself.

On the Wii, Playstation 3 and Playstation 2 consoles, players will have the opportunity to match their talents with the performers which includes master recordings and popular music videos from global fan favorites.

With a bevy of modes that range from duets to competitive singing ensures enjoyment for one person or a group of your friends. New features include “Sing It Encore,” and “Run the Risk,” which allows players to play back performances and contestants try to correctly predict scores against their opponents.
The song list includes:

Miley Cyrus
“7 Things”
“Fly on the Wall”
“The Climb”
“Hoedown Throwdown”

Demi Lovato
“Get Back”
“La La Land”

Jonas Brothers
“Don’t Forget”
“Hold On”
“SOS”
“When You Look Me In The Eyes”
“Love Bug”
“Burnin’ Up”

Colbie Caillat
“Realize”
“Bubbly”

Vanessa Hudgens
“Sneakernight”

Jesse McCartney
“It’s Over”
“How Do You Sleep?”

Taylor Swift
“I’m Only Me When I’m With You”
“Change”

One Republic
“Apologize”

Duffy
“Warwick Avenue”
“Mercy”

Coldplay
“Violet Hill”

Steve Rushton
“Emergency”

Love & Theft
“Don’t Wake Me”

Mitchel Musso and Tiffany Thornton / “Hatching Pete” (Disney Channel Original Movie)
“Let It Go”

Mitchel Musso
“The In Crowd”

Hannah Montana
“Let’s Get Crazy”
“Let’s Do This”

Jem
“It’s Amazing”

When the time comes to pick this up on the Wii or PS3 you will have the choice of buying the game in a bundle which includes a Logitech mic or just the game itself.
For PS2 owners the game is only available as a standalone.

I’m starting to have the urge to raise my voice and give this a try when it comes out. I’m sensing a karaoke party in the near future.

FIFA 10 available now in Europe

April Apoong — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:34:51 +0000

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Now on the iPhone and iPod Touch for the first time is FIFA 10, which can be downloaded via the App store. FIFA Soccer 10 can also be bought in store all throughout Europe for the PS3, XBox 360, PC, PS2 and the mobile platform.

FIFA for the iPhone is the only full-licensed soccer games in the App Store. It mirrors the 2009-10 teams in real life from the leagues worldwide. It’s very simple to use and allows the user a lot of mobility and accuracy. Added on is different camera angles and slow motion replay. And if ever in the mood for a good challenge, simply uses Wi-Fi to connect with friends.

On the PS3 and 360 the dribbling system has been fine tuned for accuracy. An improved manager mode, new practice arenas, and customizable set pieces. Added features such as Virtual Pro, a mode that allows you to become a pro footballer with many accomplishments and face other pros online. With the weekly pulse as an optional addition which gives real-world info. The weekly pulse being a downloadable content.

On the Wii “The Strike It System” is timing the use of the Wii remote in order to score or defend. Compete and compare with family and friends and ultimately play online with friends in 2v2 online matches and tournaments.

Sorry non-Europeans we’re going to have to wait a bit longer to play this one.

Dj Hero Demo now available in Gamestop

April Apoong — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:39:09 +0000

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Dying to play Dj Hero? Well aren’t we all. The good news is that a demo has been brought forth to the curious and excited. Gamestop now has demo to the highly anticipated Dj Hero. Starting on October 11^th in a select few stores the demo will be present. Gamers and music enthusiasts that take it for a spin on the Xbox 360 can enter to win prizes. One of them winning a VIP trip to meet Eminem and watching him perform. As well as many other prizes.

The prizes you could win:

Grand Prize (1 Winner)

VIP trip for you and a friend to EMINEM’s concert at the Voodoo Music Experience in New Orleans on October 30, 2009
Exclusive invitation to EMINEM’s sound check
VIP meet and greet with EMINEM
2 Xbox 360 DJ Hero Renegade Editions signed by EMINEM
2 Xbox 360 consoles
2 Xbox LIVE Messenger Gold Packs

1st Runner Up (10 Winners)

Xbox 360 DJ Hero Renegade Edition signed by EMINEM
Xbox 360 console
Xbox LIVE Messenger Gold Pack

2nd Runner Up (1,000 Winners)

DJ Hero exclusive prize pack including: DJ Hero hat, keychain, pen and sticker

As Eminem once sang “if you had one shot, or one opportunity. To seize everything you ever wanted-One moment. Would you capture it or just let it slip?” If you’re up to the challenge to try this out, you can locate the closest demo to you at Djhero.com Although it looks like this is only an American deal. Sorry Canada = (

Gamers Mind Blog: New Intern

April Apoong — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:04:58 +0000

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I am a..ninja

Hi everyone, my name is April Apoong and I’m the new intern writer at andPOP.com. Yes, I am their first female game reviewer. I am currently pursuing creative writing at a Post Secondary level and reviewing and writing about games was a natural choice for me. Trust me, I’m no pushover, have you finished Tenchu Wrath of Heaven on the highest difficulty 100 percent? Ever gone on a 30 to 1 winning streak in Dead or Alive 2? Well I have! For these reasons and more I am bringing my zany writing talents to the shores of andPOP. So prepare to see some well written unapologetic video game centric works of literature.