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How Metascores Are Calculated
86
Advance Wars: Days of Ruin
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
You'd think years of defeat would get to a guy, but Bowser just doesn't give up! He's captured Mario and his friends in his pursuit of a crystal that the group collected when it fell from the sky, and he doesn't hesitate to shrink them to miniature size to get rid of them and get his hands on the other four crystals. The mini-heroes have to find the crystals before he does, making their way through giant environments filled with enormous creatures. The single-player campaign takes place in five different settings, each of them ending with a boss. As usual, players have to collect coins and stars, at the same time escaping dangers such as Piranha Plants and other classic creatures from the Mario universe. As they progress through the game, players also can unlock various mini-games, such as Rail Riders, Sweet Sleuth and Goomba Wrangler! When players are tired of exploring the story mode, they can choose one of the other modes, like Puzzle and Minigame. Play with up to four friends on the DS' local Wi-Fi and let the party begin. [Nintendo]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 85
Digital Entertainment News
The board game is still essentially a dice powered foot race. The boss fights were a step in the right direction, but the rules of the game itself need to be refreshed. However for what it is it's great.
 82
Official Nintendo Magazine UK
Link up with other DS owners and this is essential. [Jan 2008, p.88]
81
Gamer 2.0
This is one of the best Mario Party games to come out in a while--but if Nintendo just took the liberty of making it online, this really could have been the best one yet.
80
Pocket Gamer UK
Just add ice. Getting a party started is easy with this multiplayer gem, thanks to a huge assortment of quirky mini-games and single-cartridge play.
80
GameSpot
Best of all, the developers have made it so that you need only a single cartridge to get a party going with as many as four people.
80
Nintendo Power
Taking your party on the road just got easy thanks to the first multiplayer portable "Mario Party" game. [Holiday 2007, p.79]
80
GameSpy
Its wide variety of game modes and options lets you create a multiplayer gaming experience to suit any time frame, and the huge number of mini-games sets a very high, very consumer-friendly bar.
80
Modojo
The truth be told, Mario Party DS is one of the better games in the series, with replay value galore -- especially if you got friends around.
79
Pelit (Finland)
If you have played MarioParty games before you know all too well what DS version is about. Neat, cute and smooth fun for you and three friends, throwing the dice to get you around the board and organizing mischief to the others inbetween collecting randomly scattered stars, minigames following each round to win some more money - you know the stuff. And if you don't then this is as good a time as any to learn what MarioParty means. DS version is no inferior to any other previous one so go check it out for some light hearted fun á la Nintendo. [Jan 2008]
78
n-Revolution Magazine UK
If you want a template for how to provide a top value party game, this is as good a place to start as any. [Issue#17, p.88]
75
GamePro
Mario Party DS is actually a pretty good Mario Party installment, but it's ultimately meant for gamers who regularly get together with their friends for some DS gaming.
75
Game Revolution
Releasing Mario Party to the smaller screen has turned many of its ho-hum qualities on the console into considerable assets.
75
PALGN
The number and quality of the mini-games makes Mario Party DS an easy recommendation to fans of the series.
75
NintendoWorldReport
Mario Party DS's strong line-up of mini-games with varied controls, interesting boards, and portable nature make it one of the best Mario Party games. The lack of online multiplayer two years after Mario Kart DS is disappointing, but Mario can still party on the DS.
74
Cheat Code Central
At its base, it's really just a recycling of old Mario Party mini-games, and just doesn't feel new enough to be its own game.
71
NGamer UK
If you're a diehard fan of Mario Party or you've never played one before, this isn't bad. For the rest of us, it's another unimproved, indistinguishable sequel-by-numbers.
70
IGN
A solid multiplayer mini-game experience with a lot of the flaws of the previous versions. It doesn't do anything truly special than create a bunch of touch screen and microphone-centric minigames (and even then we've seen variations of them in other DS titles), but it at least comes together as a better title than the last console Mario Party design.
70
GameDaily
The ability to score board items and extra puzzle games is a nifty bonus, adding to longevity. However, the Mario Party formula is too comparable to previous games, with dull artificial intelligence (except on Expert). Lastly, the absence of Wi-Fi support hurts the game's appeal.
70
Game Informer
Mario Party DS does a better job at retreading the core concept, however tired it may be, than last summer’s Mario Party 8. Barring a complete shakeup of the series, this seems to be the most we can hope for at this point.
70
Maxi Consolas (Portugal)
The stylus might offer some new dynamic to these mini-games, but that doesn’t stop them from being repetitive when played solo. This makes playing with your friend a mandatory condition to enjoy it. [Jan 2008]
67
Games Master UK
One of Mario's better parties; shame it's that same old irritating game underneath. [Jan 2007, p.60]
65
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Half of the events don't even bother with the touch screen or microphone, leaving us with too many uninspired, Nintendo 64-era minigames. [Jan 2008, p.95]
65
1UP
Like any Mario Party, this one's harmless fun, and it's especially worthwhile if you've got a group of friends and don't have to deal with the cheating computer. But the repetitiveness and shallow, luck-based gameplay just further drive home why the wacky, dynamic WarioWare has been crowned Nintendo's real party king.
60
VideoGamer
So while Mario Party continues on its inevitable course for world domination in Japan, we're left scratching our heads. We'd rather be partying with Wario Ware Touched!
52
NZGamer
The problem is, once you've worked out how each mini-game works, you realise there's little to no skill involved. In fact, some of them are completely random.
50
games(TM)
The franchise’s virgin release on the DS does little to mend the flawed reputation of its forebears, but nor does it represent a step back. [Jan 2008, p.133]
40
EuroGamer
If you're one of those who has enjoyed the series on console, you'll enjoy it on DS. Otherwise, steer clear.
DS gave it a3: Steven W. gave it a9: DJ T gave it an8: |
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