Here at DSninja, we know that nobody knows Nintendo as much as we know Nintendo. That’s why we’re Ninjas. Just to prove how awesome we are, we’ve whipped up this Nintendo IQ test for all of you to fail. Enjoy!

Nintendo Quiz

The adventures of Link continue in The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. It is the first Zelda game released on the Nintendo DS. This DS exclusive is completely rendered in pretty 3D cel-shading (yes, its spelled cel not cell) and Link is controlled with the stylus.
 

Keeping up with the usual Zelda story, Link is on another quest to save a kidnapped friend. Fellow non-Ninja gamers control Link by dragging the stylus along the screen. Sword slashes are executed by drawing a slashing motion on the touch screen. Perform a circular motion and Link will perform a ‘tornado’ attack on surrounding enemies. By taking advantage of the touch screen capabilities of the DS, combos are easier to string together. The top screen is also put to good use; it serves as a map for easier navigation.
 

Link primarily travels from island to island in a boat captained by an obnoxious fellow named Captain Linebeck. Linebeck’s antics can become annoying and sometimes I wish you could slash him with Link’s sword, throw him overboard and feed him to the sharks. But he does have his funny moments in the game.
 

Link will have to find clues on different islands. The game’s environment is large, so the spaces don’t feel tight and cramped. You can plot the boat’s course by drawing the sailing route with the stylus. One feature I also found helpful was being able to write clues in a diary.
 

The gameplay is characterized by trademark Zelda puzzles. The puzzles are fun, creative and rewarding. At first, I was stumped by some puzzles until I found out how useful Link’s trusty boomerang is.
 

The only downside of this game is that once you’ve completed the first floor of puzzles thrown at you and proceed to die on the second floor while doing puzzles, Link has to start all over again. That means complete the first floor again before advancing to the second. It becomes repetitive fast. But this is only a minor hiccup in an otherwise great game.
 

I’m not gonna lie, its very frustrating solving puzzles you’ve already solved. This repetitive chore caused me to go into Ninja destructive mode and led me to break my DS in half. No worries, Ninja’s are resourceful and I pieced it up again using nothing but gum and small twigs.
 

The boss battles are engaging and inspired. The bosses follow certain patterns but keep things challenging despite the predictability.
 

When I did get bored, I competed with friends via DS connectivity.
 

The visuals are superb and the sound is great. I never found the music repetitive.
 

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is one of the best games out there for the Nintendo DS. It continues the long line of awesome Zelda games. Definitely a must own for Zelda nuts and action-adventure fans.
 

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Black Mamba is running out of trees to jump on and would like to plant some more. You can help support his tree planting by purchasing The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass through our Amazon Affiliates Link, or buying the game at Play-Asia.com
 

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass Trailer

Coming this fall from PastaGames is a yet another amazingly original game that shows exactly how fun the Nintendo DS platform can be. If you enjoyed Rhythm Heaven, you’ll most likely go completely apesh*t for Maestro! Jump in Music. I’d try to explain how the game works, but it might be best if I just show you a demo. Read the rest of this entry »

Mario Kart DS offers something different compared to your Gran Turismos and Project Gothams. It features playful gameplay and easy-to-learn controls. It also helps me relax after a long day of handing out Ninja beatings. The premise is simple; race with your favorite Mario characters on insane racetracks.
 

There are a ton of characters in the game, each with their unique karts to race in. The characters and karts are balanced out so don’t blame Mario or whoever you choose when you lose.
 

At first that’s how I reacted. I would say things like ‘Mario’s a cheater, it’s his game, that’s why he is unbeatable, they wouldn’t name it Mario Kart and let Mario suck at his own game’. That’s the mini-rant I would go on when playing Mario Kart. But I soon figured out how to take advantage of other character’s strengths. For example I use Bowser because whenever he bumps into someone, he can knock them right off the track. The kart I choose for Bowser is speedy and light. His heavy body mass makes up for the balance and traction of the kart. It is details like this that makes Mario Kart deep and enjoyable for experienced gamers.
 

I had to figure out how to drift on my own because a friend didn’t want to tell me how (He is a selfish, selfish man). Drifting is an important skill in Mario Kart because some tracks curve too sharply and drifting is the most effective way to make sharp turns.
 

The power-ups are a nice touch to an already fun and deep game. The power-ups include stars, lightning, homing missiles, speed mushrooms and many more. My personal favorite is the homing turtle missile because it only attacks the player currently in first place. But this Ninja is always in first place so I get hit by the homing turtle missile most of the time.
 

The controls are tight and reacts great to the players reflexes. Mario Kart DS features one of the best graphics on the console. The graphics are clear, bright and kiddie-like.
 

After a while I got tired of beating on the helpless AI, so I called a couple of friends over and we played via DS connectivity. The game is more fun when beating on non-Ninja players.
 

There are a lot of inspiring tracks and unique characters to be unlocked. There were even secret characters I’ve never knew existed in the Mario universe until seeing them in the character selection screen.
 

Mario Kart DS is a must-own for every DS owner. It’s fun and quirky but it never gets old. So if you’re tired of all those simulation driving games, try out Mario Kart DS, I’m sure you’re gonna have a blast.
 

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Black Mamba is running out of trees to jump on and would like to plant some more. You can help support his tree planting by purchasing Mario Kart DS through our Amazon Affiliates Link, or buying the game from Play-Asia.com.

Mario Kart Trailer

If you’ve never tried playing Desktop Tower Defense on the Hand Drawn Games website, I’m going to advise you to proceed very cautiously. This is arguably one of the most addictive games that you’re ever going to come across on any platform. Be prepared to throw away at least a day or two before you start. And while you might be quite content to play it on your PC, if you find that you become so addicted to DTD that you need it on the go, there’s now a version available on the Nintendo DS thanks to THQ.



Desktop Tower Defense calls on you to strategically construct a maze of gun turrets all across a playing field. You are trying to create obstacles for an opposing army of baddies who are intent on breaking through to the other side. Your goal is to kill them before they can make it out. And you can use various strategies to do so. Head on over to HandDrawnGames and try the flash version of the game. If you find that you like it (I know you will!) and you’d like a portable version, you can pick it up for the Nintendo DS as well. We’d certainly appreciate it if you supported DS Ninja by buying through our affiliate link.

Desktop Tower Defense Trailer #1

Desktop Tower Defense Trailer #2 (Gameplay Demo)

While there are many websites out there that allow you to check train routes and maps via mobile phone or PC, there hasn’t been any way to check it on your Nintendo DS until now. Read the rest of this entry »

Since the planned third Ghostbusters movie was scrapped because the actors were too old (I don’t know the real reason so I decided to make one up), Ghostbusters writers Dan Akroyd (Dr. Raymond) and Harold Ramis (Dr. Egon) decided to turn the script into a video game.
 

Unlike the console versions, the Nintendo DS version of Ghostbusters gets rid of the rookie story line. Instead, you get to play as the Ghostbusters themselves.
 

Keep in mind that Ghostbusters DS is an action-RPG. Instead of slashing away at low-level monsters, you have fun blasting ghost with your proton beam. Egon, Ray, Winston and Peter have different skills that can be upgraded after every mission. The concept adds much needed depth to the game.
 

The story starts out by Slimer escaping and hiding out at a hotel. Obviously, who ya gonna call? The Ghostbusters have to make their way to the hotel by riding in the iconic Ecto-1. This is where it gets really ugly. The streets of New York are so dark, you feel as if a mugger is following your every move. Cars in the opposite lane seem to pop out of the shadows and bump into the Ecto-1.
 

Every time the Ecto-1 bumps into cars, it accumulates damage. With every damage to the Ecto-1, it slows down. Then you have to either go to the repair shop or back to the Ghostbusters firehouse to get it fixed.
 

While hanging out at the Ghostbusters HQ, you can switch between the Ghostbusters and slide down the poles. I found the sliding highly enjoyable. Each character has their own specialty in developing the Ghostbusters arsenal, for example, Egon is in charge of developing new ghost-busting items.
 

Missions can be found written on the bulletin board. After accepting a mission, a time limit is given to reach the destination. The Ghostbusters hunt and capture ghosts in sewers, hotels, museums and cemeteries. You have to drive to each destination, which makes it a real pain. Ample time is not given for driving to missions, especially when the Ecto-1 is heavily damaged.
 

I also found it annoying that the phone keeps ringing at the Ghostbusters HQ. I felt I was working at a contact center. The ringing is meant to indicate that new missions are posted on the bulletin board but it rings every minute or so.
 

 
You can assign the other three Ghostbusters to follow you or stand guard. This feature is very helpful since ghosts can pop out of nowhere. You also have to make sure that the traps have to be emptied before making your way to a new mission. I had to learn this the hard way. I was reminded to empty my trap during a ghost battle, which majorly sucked.
 

Another downside to a potentially great game is the inability to control camera angles. It is impossible to see where slime and ghosts come from. After ghosts bump into the Ghostbusters, they immediately hit the ground. It takes time before they recover and get up again. Control over the camera angle would’ve helped a lot and would’ve lessened the frustration of having to keep track of oncoming quick moving ghosts.
 

I have to admit though that playing Ghostbusters was nostalgic. Everything is authentic; the familiar Ghostbusters theme song, the nicely looking and sounding proton streams and the light emitted from opening the ghost trap. The game is also successful at capturing the Ghostbusters daily lives.
 

The animated graphics are detailed and in my opinion max out the hardware capability of the DS. Everything your proton stream hits, it breaks, that’s how detailed the graphics are. The dialogue is funny and has the trademark Ghostbusters wit. Capturing ghosts is easy and blasting them with your proton gun never gets old.
 

Ghostbusters: The Video Game has its moments but falls short of a potentially great game. I found it fun to play for the first two hours but the terrible Ecto-1 driving game play was too much for this Ninja to handle.
 

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Black Mamba is running out of trees to jump on and would like to plant some more. You can help support his tree planting by purchasing Ghostbusters: The Video Game through our Amazon Affiliates Link, or buying the game from Play-Asia.com
 

Ghostbusters DS Trailer