"150 Characters to go through *cracks knuckles*...."

I'd just like to go straight to the conclusion and say that this is one of the best games I've played in a long time. If you have a DS and the ability to import, this title is definitely a must have in your gaming library. Anime and manga fans rejoice, as mentioned in the above tagline, 150 characters from various series featured in the popular weekly manga magazine Shounen Jump makes an appearance in this Super Smash Bros like game.

GAME PLAY: 10/10

Gameplay is very addictive in this game. In the J-Adventure mode, you do quests in a mission like structure and fulfill certain requirements within a particular mission. Collecting "komas"(manga panels that play an integral part in deck building) is the meat and potatoes of this mode, enabling you to unlock more characters and supports when creating your deck. The deck-maker allows you to choose which characters you want to bring into battle and what supports you'd want to use to power them up, enabling you to turn the tide in your favour against the opponent. For most people, when they hear the word "deck" they immediately cringe at the thought of a potentially, typical card battling game but Jump Superstars is nothing of the sort at all. Instead of cards, you're dealing with manga panels or komas as described above, ready to be placed on your manga grid to form your manga deck. This system allows plenty of room for strategy and customisation for the player, allowing endless combinations of battle tactics to try when facing different opponents.

After you're through with Adventure mode, why not try out the game's multiplayer mode and battle out your "perfect deck" against your friends? You can choose to use your own deck of download a friend's whichever way that suits you at the time. The beauty of the multiplayer system in this game is, it features single cart download play meaning your friend does not need a copy of this game to battle it out against you. Limitations of this feature however is that your friend can only use decks already premade by you, using only komas that you have unlocked. But then of course there's the normal wireless play where if you're lucky enough to find a friend who also has a copy of the game, each player's free to use whatever koma they want that they've unlocked.

In terms of fighting mechanics, it plays just like any other fighter, where you have your normal attacks, heavy but slow attacks and your specials. In addition to all of that, you have your super tag combos as well as dream combos which involve two characters coming together to form one powerful attack. For those who have dreamed of getting two of their favourite characters from different series(eg Kenshin and Zoro) come together to work side by side to defeat an opponent then this is the game for you.

GRAPHICS: 9/10

What can I say? The graphics in this game features beautifully done 2d sprites packed with detail, from the folds and wrinkles on Goku's outfit, to the glint of Kenshin's reverse edged blade, the characters in this game are definitely not a sight for sore eyes. The prerendered back grounds in the various fighting stages were a little bland but that would be me nit picking at such a wonderful game.

MUSIC: 7/10

The music in this game contain bouncy up beat tunes that are neither mind blowing nor irritating either. The soundtrack's rather forgettable though.

STORY 6/10

Well, I couldn't really give a good rating coz there isn't much of a story in this game (and what fighter does?) but it's basically about how the komas in the Jump World are sealed and you'll have to release them all of something.

REPLAY VALUE: 9/10

A game that I'll be playing for a long time, it's very easy to pick up and play if you're in the mood for a brawler and with it's convenient single cart multiplayer download feature, if you see anyone with a DS around, invite them to a game or two.

OVERALL SCORE: 9/10

This game is definitely a must buy and manga or anime fans would regret to miss out on this deep and involving fighter for the DS.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 08/26/05