| NGamer Issue 9 | |
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gjones Disciple of Scullion
![gjones](https://2img.net/u/4111/31/13/97/avatars/114-2.png)
Posts : 1671 Points : 1704 Join date : 2015-01-12 Age : 37 Location : Swindon
![NGamer Issue 9 Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: NGamer Issue 9 Wed 19 Apr 2017 - 21:20 | |
| MAY 2007*REVIEWS* ![NGamer Issue 9 Item-wii](https://2img.net/h/www.nintendo.com/images/page/wiiu/built-in-software/wii-menu/item-wii.jpg) - Good (70-84%):
Mercury Meltdown Revolution - 80
![NGamer Issue 9 82447_front](https://gamefaqs.akamaized.net/box/4/4/7/82447_front.jpg)
"This substantial race-against-the-clock ball puzzler will reduce even the most hardcore player to a sobbing emotional wreck in need of institutionalisation. In a good way. Not one for the lazy."Heatseeker - 80
![NGamer Issue 9 Heatseeker_WII_US](https://2img.net/h/media.ign.com/games/image/object/858/858377/Heatseeker_WII_US.jpg)
"Fast as you like, fun to control and a mindless diversion for military fetishists. Difficult, even on the easiest setting, but if you're up to the challenge you'll get loads of value from it.Probably the one I'll pick up this month, although it's doubtful it will get played any time soon. Anyone experienced this one?
- Good (70-84%):
Fire Emblem - Goddess of Dawn (JAPAN IMPORT) - 75
![NGamer Issue 9 5126-fire-emblem-the-goddess-of-dawn](https://2img.net/h/vgboxart.com/boxes/Wii/5126-fire-emblem-the-goddess-of-dawn.jpg) "So what if it's the same old Fire Emblem? The score's for non-Japanese speakers - the UK version will likely do much better." The Godfather - 70
![NGamer Issue 9 Godfather_Wii_US_front](https://2img.net/h/media.ign.com/games/image/object/842/842201/Godfather_Wii_US_front.jpg) "Certainly the most brutal game on Wii - if you like the thought of strangling somebody with a nunchuk, it's right here. A bit empty in places but worth a go if you enjoys yer killin'."
- Not so bad (50-69%):
Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII - 68
![NGamer Issue 9 51tOi9B9reL](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51tOi9B9reL.jpg) "It's no Heatseeker, but this fares better than many other ported-to-Wii Ubisoft titles. But then, with the other titles being Far Cry, GT Pro and Monster 4x4, that's not difficult."Cooking Mama: Cook Off (JAPAN IMPORT) - 65
![NGamer Issue 9 51oZmafP2FL](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51oZmafP2FL.jpg) "Cute and fun minigames, for the most part, but lacking drive or motivation for the player, with different tasks getting repetitive quickly. Shame, it's so cute!"Bionicle Heroes - 64
![NGamer Issue 9 Bionicleheroes_wiibox](https://2img.net/h/wiimedia.ign.com/wii/image/object/858/858625/bionicleheroes_wiibox.jpg) "A must for Bionicle fans and decent, trashy fun for everyone else. But the controls are poor and you can get it on other formats for half the price."Medal of Honor: Vanguard - 60
![NGamer Issue 9 Medal_of_Honor_Vanguard](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/87/Medal_of_Honor_Vanguard.jpg) "With what we expected to be the main selling point - the parachuting - reduced to an introductory mission gimmick, Vanguard's bringing up the rear when it comes to WWII shooters."
- Mostly useless (30-49%):
Let's Go By Train (JAPAN IMPORT) - 30
![NGamer Issue 9 300px-Denshadego](https://wiki.dolphin-emu.org/images/thumb/2/2a/Denshadego.jpg/300px-Denshadego.jpg) "Playing Densha it's clear why train crashes happen - driving is just so dull you'd do anything to jazz it up. But here you don't even get that option."
![NGamer Issue 9 Hardware_2006_DS_Lite_large_support_stage_image](https://cdn02.nintendo-europe.com/media/images/01_website_elements/hardware_1/hardware_2006_DS_Lite_large_support_stage_image.png) For those interested in what the DS was offering us a decade ago: - Good (70-84%):
Harvest Moon DS - 82![NGamer Issue 9 Latest?cb=20080730024123](http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/hmwikia/images/b/b2/Hmds.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20080730024123) "So much freedom in a lovely extensive game world. We think this is one of the best long-term companions your DS can find. " SimCity DS - The Ultimate City Simulator (JAPAN IMPORT) - 81![NGamer Issue 9 SimCity_DS_Coverart](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e5/SimCity_DS_Coverart.png) "Just what the DS should be doing. As long as it's done right. Which it is. Ropey disaster minigames and the odd niggle aside, this is right up our street. " Theme Park (US IMPORT) - 80![NGamer Issue 9 ThemePark_DS_US](https://2img.net/h/media.ign.com/games/image/object/867/867813/ThemePark_DS_US.jpg) "Deep, involving management sim with an appealing theme and enough comical touches to make you forget that you're really playing a piece of A-level economics coursework." Zendokua - 80![NGamer Issue 9 Zendokudsfinalbx](https://2img.net/h/media.gamestats.com/gg/image/object/861/861100/zendokudsfinalbx.jpg) "Buy Picross DS for your mind and Zendoku for your fun. The thrill of using logical reasoning to kick someone's arse is a phenomenal experience. Single player's a good laugh too." Professor Layton and the Strange City (JAPAN IMPORT) - 80![NGamer Issue 9 S-l225](https://2img.net/h/thumbs.ebaystatic.com/images/g/9wwAAOSwZVhWSX-o/s-l225.jpg) "Like one of those puzzle books you might do on a long journey, except with a connecting plot and loads of weird characters to meet. Super!" Jet Impulse (JAPAN IMPORT) - 77![NGamer Issue 9 S-l225](https://2img.net/h/thumbs.ebaystatic.com/images/g/9wwAAOSwZVhWSX-o/s-l225.jpg) "Because they have to be moving constantly at great speed, aircraft are inherently less exciting than spaceships. Therefore Jet Impulse is not quite as good as Star Fox." Bleach DS 2nd (JAPAN IMPORT) - 73![NGamer Issue 9 Latest?cb=20090803042214&path-prefix=en](http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/bleach/images/3/3c/Bleach_DS_2nd_Kokui_Hirameku_Requiem.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20090803042214&path-prefix=en) "Very little has changed since the original Bleach DS, bar a few new powerups and characters. Wave farewell to sophistication and there's plenty of lunacy to enjoy here." Quickspot (US IMPORT) - 72![NGamer Issue 9 QUICKSPOT_NDSBox-APPROVED](https://2img.net/h/media.ign.com/games/image/object/877/877648/QUICKSPOT_NDSBox-APPROVED.jpg) "Slim like an After Eight but reasonably priced; Quickspot's absolutely cast iron guaranteed to make you smile, and surely your happiness is worth £10? Yes, yes it is." Death Note (JAPAN IMPORT) - 72![NGamer Issue 9 Latest?cb=20110723234313](http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/deathnote/images/1/19/The_GAME.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20110723234313) "Another quirky DS gem on the lines of Cluedo meets Phoenix Wright. The story is probably great, so hold out for an English version rather than import." Pokemon Ranger - 70![NGamer Issue 9 Pok%C3%A9mon_Ranger_Coverart](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/de/Pok%C3%A9mon_Ranger_Coverart.png) "Narrow-minded and frustrating, but Pokemon Ranger demands genuine skill. It gets so many things right that the RPGs get wrong. Give it a whirl."
- Not so bad (50-69%):
Boku Wa Koukuu Kanseikan DS (JAPAN IMPORT) - 66![NGamer Issue 9 Boku%20wa%20Koukuu%20Kanseikan%20DS%20%28Japan%29%20(2)](https://2img.net/h/coolrom.com/screenshots/nds/Boku%20wa%20Koukuu%20Kanseikan%20DS%20%28Japan%29%20(2).jpg) "Pleasingly cerebral puzzler that unfortunately suffers from a combination of poor presentation and one-note gameplay. Solid, but a bit dull."
- Terrible (0-29%):
F-24 Stealth Fighter (JAPAN IMPORT) - 24![NGamer Issue 9 1202a](https://r.mprd.se/ndsbox1/1202a.jpg) "Use the D-pad to steer instead and you'll stay alive long enough to realise that you were better off dead in the water. This fighter game gets a big fat F-."
May 2007 was a decent month with no real must-have purchases. I'll pick up Heatseeker when I see it but not urgent. Still not grabbed Kororinpa! Any interest in this lot? An aside for Mas, the "Meanwhile..." section covering Other Formats looks back at the PS2 with NGamer listing their Top 10 games (by letter so as not to cause uproar): - PS2 Top 10:
A - Okami
"Swoonsome cel-shaded visuals that move like a watercolour painting, an astonishing soundtrack, and a game that almost out-Zeldas Zelda make this an adventure everyone should play. It's worth buying a PS2 for. Seriously."
B - Ico
"A beguiling dream of a game; your job is to ferry wraith-girl Yorda through a puzzle-filled castle and fend off shadow-beasts. Emotional, atmospheric and host to one of the most affecting game endings ever. "
C - Shadow of the Collosus
"From the Ico team, this is equally awe-inspiring. Clambering through a staggeringly beautiful and desolate world over 16 varied colossi in order to destroy them and save your dead girlfriend make for a haunting experience like no other. "
D - GTA: San Andreas
"Absurd culmination of the GTA template; Kittsy played it through twice, and he's got a heart of stone, which is all you need to know."
E - God of War 2
"Forget Devil May Cry. This is the most brutal, cinematic, set-piece-stuffed action game ever made, and it pushes the PS2's visuals into next-gen territory. The face-off against the Colossus of Rhodes is incredible. "
F - Canis Canem Edit
"GTA in a school? More or less. Sneak out after lights out, dodge lessons, and live every schoolboy's dreams. Oddly British in tone."
G - Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence
"Perhaps even more pretentious and long-winded than any other Metal Gear, this is nonetheless the pinnacle of Hideo Kojima's philosophical war-and-stealth extravaganza."
H - Manhunt
"Deeply unpleasant but astonishingly gripping, this violent sneak-em-up has you in a snuff-movie nightmare, forced to murder your way out. Nasty but brilliant."
I - Final Fantasy XII
"The current apogee of the venerable RPG series, and certainly the best entry since the fabled VII; sumptuous, sprawling and open to exploration, with the new 'gambit' system allowing you to pre-program party members, cutting down greatly on mid-battle fiddliness."
J - Burnout 3: Takedown
"The most thrilling racing game ever made. The immortal Crash Junctions, numerous race-types, superb handling and insane speeds mean it's the best Burnout until the next one."
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The Cappuccino Kid Mani Mani Statue
![The Cappuccino Kid](https://2img.net/u/4111/31/13/97/avatars/63-74.jpg)
Posts : 6721 Points : 6881 Join date : 2013-02-25 Age : 105 Location : East of Mombasa
![NGamer Issue 9 Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: Re: NGamer Issue 9 Wed 19 Apr 2017 - 22:25 | |
| This looks like the issue in which NGamer got really, really excited about Super Paper Mario and called it 'one of the best games ever' or something like that. Then the following month they admitted that they got really, really excited and had to backtrack. Aye. Nice one. I think they gave their 'exclusive hands on verdict' based on the first round of levels, if I recall correctly. I wonder how many folk imported the Super Paper Mario based on what NGamer misguidedly said about it in this issue...
Other than that, I've not played any of those Wii games, with the notable exception of Cooking Mama: COOK OFF. What a game that was. I smile just thinking about it. It's the broken controls and the broken English that made it a firm multiplayer favourite between my mates and I back in the day. It ended up being one of my most played Wii games, sure. |
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masofdas The Next Aonuma
![masofdas](https://2img.net/u/4111/31/13/97/avatars/43-74.jpg)
Posts : 23966 Points : 24364 Join date : 2013-01-18 Age : 34 Location : VITA Island
![NGamer Issue 9 Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: Re: NGamer Issue 9 Thu 20 Apr 2017 - 17:03 | |
| That looks like bollocks month of games for the Wii and DS. |
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The Cappuccino Kid Mani Mani Statue
![The Cappuccino Kid](https://2img.net/u/4111/31/13/97/avatars/63-74.jpg)
Posts : 6721 Points : 6881 Join date : 2013-02-25 Age : 105 Location : East of Mombasa
![NGamer Issue 9 Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: Re: NGamer Issue 9 Thu 20 Apr 2017 - 19:58 | |
| I didn't realise that the first Professor Layton was that old. We must have got it here, what, three years later? Quickspot is quite a decent game too if anyone likes the sound of it. |
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ZeroJones I'M SO LONELY
![ZeroJones](https://2img.net/u/4111/31/13/97/avatars/4-4.jpg)
Posts : 10465 Points : 9425 Join date : 2013-01-15 Age : 44 Location : North Midlands, England
![NGamer Issue 9 Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: Re: NGamer Issue 9 Thu 20 Apr 2017 - 23:24 | |
| - masofdas wrote:
- That looks like bollocks month of games for the Wii and DS.
Any month containing Professor Layton (good) and Pokémon Ranger (just below the notch below 'good'; was originally going to put 'sort of alright') is OK in my book. On the Wii, though, yep. |
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Buskalilly Galactic Nova
![Buskalilly](https://2img.net/u/4111/31/13/97/avatars/62-76.jpg)
Posts : 15009 Points : 15187 Join date : 2013-02-25 Age : 33 Location : Nagano
![NGamer Issue 9 Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: Re: NGamer Issue 9 Fri 21 Apr 2017 - 16:25 | |
| I've dug out my copy, for perusal over the weekend.
I will just say that I adored Super Paper Mario when I played it. |
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ZeroJones I'M SO LONELY
![ZeroJones](https://2img.net/u/4111/31/13/97/avatars/4-4.jpg)
Posts : 10465 Points : 9425 Join date : 2013-01-15 Age : 44 Location : North Midlands, England
![NGamer Issue 9 Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: Re: NGamer Issue 9 Sat 22 Apr 2017 - 2:59 | |
| I wanted to ![Love](/users/4111/31/13/97/smiles/2774444739.gif) Super Paper Mario so bad. The story is lovely, with some great twists and turns, and memorable characters. But the locations felt humdrum and the flipping mechanic felt poorly used (although the final level was brilliant for it). I'm glad I played it but I can't get myself above mildly enthusiastic for it. |
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gjones Disciple of Scullion
![gjones](https://2img.net/u/4111/31/13/97/avatars/114-2.png)
Posts : 1671 Points : 1704 Join date : 2015-01-12 Age : 37 Location : Swindon
![NGamer Issue 9 Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: Re: NGamer Issue 9 Sat 22 Apr 2017 - 8:00 | |
| Zero I think you hit the nail on the head. I found the worlds in Super Paper Mario lacking in character and the flipping mechanic felt like one special ability rather than a full game-driven one. Nonetheless, it's something I'd like to play again (still got Thousand Year Door on the backburner though!).
Wasn't Super Paper Mario initially a GameCube game? There were a few GameCube games that ended up as Wii games - is Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn another? |
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The Cappuccino Kid Mani Mani Statue
![The Cappuccino Kid](https://2img.net/u/4111/31/13/97/avatars/63-74.jpg)
Posts : 6721 Points : 6881 Join date : 2013-02-25 Age : 105 Location : East of Mombasa
![NGamer Issue 9 Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: Re: NGamer Issue 9 Sun 23 Apr 2017 - 9:14 | |
| I think Super Paper Mario was, as was the utterly insipid Donkey Kong Jet Race. No idea about Fire Emblem myself, but there's similar circumstances with loads of other games from Nintendo and third-parties. I didn't get far into Super Paper Mario as I got one of those glitched copies that broke the game about three hours in. By the time I rebought it, my tastes had changed and I never got round to unsealing it. It's been on my shelf for almost a decade |
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Jimbob Bargain Hunter
![Jimbob](https://2img.net/u/4111/31/13/97/avatars/7-70.png)
Posts : 4618 Points : 4644 Join date : 2013-01-15 Age : 41 Location : Milton Keynes
![NGamer Issue 9 Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: Re: NGamer Issue 9 Sun 23 Apr 2017 - 9:34 | |
| Aw man, I thought there was a way round the glitch - didn't realise you had to get a new copy ![Sad](https://2img.net/i/fa/i/smiles/icon_sad.gif) Yeah, I read through this in anticipation, forgetting that the Jones-meister would be doing this a couple of weeks later. I'd have to say that I love Super Paper Mario, and my feelings match this month's preview rather than their slightly down review in the next month. But on page 37, there's a preview for 13 different games, each from a developer called Data Design. IT BEGINS |
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Buskalilly Galactic Nova
![Buskalilly](https://2img.net/u/4111/31/13/97/avatars/62-76.jpg)
Posts : 15009 Points : 15187 Join date : 2013-02-25 Age : 33 Location : Nagano
![NGamer Issue 9 Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: Re: NGamer Issue 9 Thu 27 Apr 2017 - 15:03 | |
| More so than any other issue we've gone back over, this one made me really sad we don't have NGamer any more, or even ONM. It was the quirky heaven/ hell feature at the end, and even more than that the Super Mario Galaxy preview. Reading it now, nearly a decade after actually getting the game, NGamer's writing actually made me excited.
Imagine having a monthly deep dive by guys this passionate about Odyssey. The boundless creativity and depth of a 3D Mario game, especially if Breath of the Wild is anything to go on, deserves that kind of hype. Even after years of this kind of coverage, once I got my hands on the game it still felt like I'd barely seen 1% of what was there. |
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ZeroJones I'M SO LONELY
![ZeroJones](https://2img.net/u/4111/31/13/97/avatars/4-4.jpg)
Posts : 10465 Points : 9425 Join date : 2013-01-15 Age : 44 Location : North Midlands, England
![NGamer Issue 9 Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: Re: NGamer Issue 9 Thu 27 Apr 2017 - 17:18 | |
| NGamer was great craft by skilled people on a subject that you can easily get extremely passionate about, with genuine humour, proper warmth and a frightening level of dedication. I miss it less than I should, to be honest - I've kind of accepted the dry/dryish nature of the likes of NintendoLife as 'that's what we have now'. ![Aww!](/users/4111/31/13/97/smiles/1508216586.gif) |
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Buskalilly Galactic Nova
![Buskalilly](https://2img.net/u/4111/31/13/97/avatars/62-76.jpg)
Posts : 15009 Points : 15187 Join date : 2013-02-25 Age : 33 Location : Nagano
![NGamer Issue 9 Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: Re: NGamer Issue 9 Thu 27 Apr 2017 - 19:35 | |
| I've migrated to podcasts, particularly Midnight Resistance and that "scene", where the people and spirit of NGamer seems to have migrated. No one website captures the fun or the sense of community, though I am very glad to have GNamer (and by extension, Gintendo). |
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gjones Disciple of Scullion
![gjones](https://2img.net/u/4111/31/13/97/avatars/114-2.png)
Posts : 1671 Points : 1704 Join date : 2015-01-12 Age : 37 Location : Swindon
![NGamer Issue 9 Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: Re: NGamer Issue 9 Mon 30 Oct 2017 - 23:12 | |
| I picked up Mercury Meltdown for 50p yesterday. FIFTY PENCE! Also nabbed The Conduit for £1. |
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Jimbob Bargain Hunter
![Jimbob](https://2img.net/u/4111/31/13/97/avatars/7-70.png)
Posts : 4618 Points : 4644 Join date : 2013-01-15 Age : 41 Location : Milton Keynes
![NGamer Issue 9 Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: Re: NGamer Issue 9 Wed 1 Nov 2017 - 21:47 | |
| Let us know if your furniture survives Mercury Meltdown! |
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gjones Disciple of Scullion
![gjones](https://2img.net/u/4111/31/13/97/avatars/114-2.png)
Posts : 1671 Points : 1704 Join date : 2015-01-12 Age : 37 Location : Swindon
![NGamer Issue 9 Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: Re: NGamer Issue 9 Thu 9 Nov 2017 - 19:33 | |
| Had a bash on Mercury and my word, it's a punishing little game. Hits you with that war siren alarm so you panic and inevitably mess up. I get that you can complete levels without beating the timer but feels a bit backwards design-wise.
The visuals are fairly distinctive but not entirely convinced of the cel-shaded style they went for. Motion controls work well if a little fiddly compared to ol' Monkey Ball and an analog stick.
Not sure I'll go back to it but definitely got my 50p's worth. |
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