"A Real Gamer Would Play This"

You have to be secure in your manhood to walk into the store and buy this game, but in case you're not just have your wife get it for you. I think that's a pretty sad statement if you need to resort to that, but what ever it takes for you to get this game should be done, because it's a lot of fun and shouldn't be missed by any DS owner.

Graphics: 9/10

Some of you may wonder how an old school 2D side-scrolling platform can get a 9/10 in graphics. Well, it looks damn good for what it is! The visuals are distinctive, bright, and easy on the eyes. You can tell what everything is and there's no “grainy” look to it at all. The environments are colorful and full of life (water, wind, trees, etc.) as well as all the classic Nintendo enemies standing in your way.

Sound: 7/10

You may tire of the tunes but there are many different ones. I took a point off of sound because when your health is low there is this constant annoying beeping to warn you. While I appreciate the reminder it begins to get on my nerves and I scramble to find a heart power up ignoring other things just to get that infernal beeping to stop. Peach also “squeals” when hit by enemies, which while somewhat fitting to the game gets a little annoying as well. None of these take away from the game play however.

Controls: 10/10

This is a Nintendo Side-scroll platformer so of course the controls are going to be tight. You even get to use the stylus from time to time in levels where you bounce Peach off of outstretched rubber band type of platforms. It's a bit odd at first and takes some practice (especially killing enemies) but it's a new twist that incorporates the double screens and I appreciate it.

Game Play: 10/10

This is every bit as fun as “The new Super Mario Brothers” and “Yoshi's Island DS” both of which I absolutely love. It's more fun than Kirby Squeak Squad, which I very much enjoy. Imagine a new Mario or Luigi side scroller where you're out to stop Bowser again. You get to stomp, jump, and use power ups on your way to save Princess Peach, now just reverse the character roles and that's what you've got here. Yes, Peach has to use her “emotions” in this game and that idea is silly and stereo-typical but I look at this as adding strategy to the game because you have to collect crystals that fill her emotional power bar or stomp on and then consume enemies in order to keep the bar filled. I have so often went looking for enemies to stop and consume (by picking them up and pressing down on the D-pad) and it makes me want to get them instead of simply by passing them on my way to the end of a level.

Being able to use the emotions (power ups) is a lot of fun as you progress as well. Nothing beats getting angry and having flames surround you as you burn your way through those nasty flowers that try and eat you everywhere you go. Flying while high on happiness sound goofy as anything, but reaching new levels and collecting things above the clouds is very cool. I wish Mario had a way to fly in his game at times! Crying is a bit lame, but it makes large plants that you can climb grow and helps you defeat plant bosses as well. If consuming enemies and looking for hearts to power up your life bar isn't your thing, simply use the calm emotion to refill your life. Again, while “emotions” seems a bit silly, they come in handy and ad to the game play so suck it up macho man!

Replay Value: 7/10

The game is on the easy side but no so easy that you will collect every puzzle piece and trapped Toad on your way through the levels. I plan on playing this until I get every secrete and while that may not take numerous play through's it will take more than one so I give it a decent score in the replay category.

Rent or buy?

If you are a fan of Nintendo Side scrollers then by all means this is a must buy!

Final: 9/10

If you refuse to play this because it stars Princess Peach please turn in your gamer card. In the very least trade your DS in for a more manly system or game because you're just too cool to play any DS game. I mean if it's cool to play a game staring a fat little plumber who but stomps his enemies, or a racer staring a little mushroom guy, a big ape and his little monkey buddy, and other cute little characters, or a game where you play as a little fat pink ball eating everything in it's path, but you can't bring yourself to play a game staring a…(gasp!) girl, then by all means find a new hobby Spike! This game is another classic from Nintendo that should be played by ALL gamers who enjoy fun games. Go get it, and tell the clerk who looks at you funny what a jack ass he is for missing out on a great game because someone making $7/hour needs to worry about buying manly games, that's for sure!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 01/02/07