DSiWare recommendations

**RPT** · 05-22-2009, 07:55 AM

With DSiWare putting out games weekly it seems like a good idea to have a thread dedicated to them so people can highlight the stand outs.

Art Style: Aquite/Aquia - 500 points
Aquite is a puzzle game with an aquatic theme. There is a three block wide column spanning both screens. Along the outside of this is a set of blocks which you can push into the column. This will displace blocks out the other side which you can then move and push back in. Like most block matching games making a line of three or more makes them disappear which causes new blocks to rise from the bottom to fill the column up again. While you go about making matches, darkness will slowly creep down from the top of the screen obscuring your view and making it harder. If the screen gets completely obscured, it's game over. With three different configurations for the outer blocks, ten normal levels and an endless mode, you have a solid puzzle game. Recommended.

Art Style: CODE/Base 10 - 500 points
CODE is another puzzle game focusing on making numbers adding to ten line up. This uses the DSi in book mode with numbers coming in from the non-touch screen side. You can switch adjacent numbers around which will flip them over. As they are the digital 7 segment style when they get flipped the number that is displayed can change. For example: Flipping a 2 over makes it into a 5. Of course, flipping numbers can also lead to something that doesn't make sense. Once you line up numbers that will add to ten you can then tap on the first and last number on the line to clear them. In addition to the normal mode when new numbers continually fall in from the side, there is a puzzle mode where you have to clear a predetermined setup of numbers in the least amount of moves. It also includes a multi-player mode which supports download play to any type of DS--not just DSi's. Recommended.

Art Style: PiCOPiCT/PiCTOBiTS - 500 points
PiCOPiCT is an other puzzle game which plays a bit like a cross between Tetris and Picross. You pick up and place square blocks on the bottom screen to make rows/columns of four or more with larger falling shapes. You can also make rectangles as well to clear a larger number of blocks as well. Parts of the larger shape that are not matched fall to the bottom and can be then be picked up and used. It sounds weird but it's really fun. The blocks that do get matched shoot up to the top screen and start to fill in a picture. What is really cool is all the pictures you make are sprites from NES games. Once you finish the sprite you beat the level. Highly recommended.

**Boric** · 05-22-2009, 09:42 AM

Thanks for the reviews RPT! I still haven't even checked out what's available on my DSi yet, so these recommendations will certainly help!

**RPT** · 07-25-2009, 09:50 AM

I updated my other reviews to include the American names of the games since Nintendo seem intent on confusing everyone about them.

Art Style: NEMREM/ZENGAGE - 500 points
The game involved you sliding a coloured tiles to match balls resting onto of them. The trick is that you have to slide whole columns or row at a time. It starts out simple enough but then they start adding fixed tiles which you can't move and making non rectangular stages which limits how you an move things. Out of the Art Style series this is definitely the most brain taxing game. Whilst it is good I is the weakest of the series so get the others first. Solid

Art Style: Boxlife - 500 points
A spatial puzzle game where you need to cut sheets of paper so that you can fold them into cubes. There are two main modes of play. In the puzzle mode your given a static sheet which can be cut so that every square is used in making cubes. The other mode has a constant roll of paper coming down the screen and you need to make boxes out of that. You get more points for having less wasted squares and bombs will also randomly fall. If you don't form a box containing a bomb they will explode and destroy the paper around it thus limiting you ability to make boxes. Recommended

**Tears of Ash** · 08-01-2009, 02:39 PM

I've been hearing some good things about Mighty Flip Champs. What's the verdict on that one?

**RPT** · 10-03-2009, 08:38 AM

ArtStyle: Intersect/Digidrive - 500 Points
This is a remake of the only Bit Generations title not made by Skip. It is made by Q Games best know in recent times for the PixelJunk series. The game involves guiding coloured cars through a crossroad intersection. Match 5 of the same colour down a lane and it becomes activated and a tank appears which can be filled by continuing to matching more of the same colour. On the bottom screen there is a disc and an ever rising piston. If the piston hits the disc it's game over. Every so often a special car will come along which is sent down an activated lane will use the fuel stored in the tank to move the disc away from the spike. There is a combo system as well which once you master make the game a blast.

There is a bunch of modes on offer. Standard single player endless (in various dfficulties) as well as 2 player versus (both against a CPU or real person). A new addition for this version is the option of touch screen controls which change the game play up a little but I still prefer the standard d-pad controls. Each mode also have medals associated with them which are tied to unlocking new songs,themes and difficulties. So that gives you a reason to play them all.

Compared to the GBA game the graphics have been softened up due to the increased resolution and screen real estate the DSi affords. It was a bit jarring at first since I liked the more retro pixely feel but the more spaced out interface helps out when the game speed cranks up. Basically this game is a must buy.

**The_Marquis** · 10-03-2009, 08:49 PM

Shantae: Risky Revolution!

I'm buying a DSi just for this game, go check out the new issue of Nintendo Power for six pages of details on the upcoming trilogy of DLC chapters.

**mikestrife** · 10-03-2009, 09:58 PM

Good idea for this thread. I find the DSi offerings completely underwhelming, the titles and descriptions on the store don't make any of them seem worth the cash so these reviews really help.

I have been playing the Mario VS DK: Mini's March Again Game, and it's a pretty fun game. Kinda like lemmings except instead of having the mini's doing things, you change the environment to get them through the levels.