NGamer Issue 22

May 2007
Release Date: 26 Mar 2008
Pages: 116
Editor: Nick Ellis

Introduction

Okami featured on the cover of issue 22, as the team managed to get their hands on one of the Wii’s more understated games - which was lovingly ported from the PS2. The news this month looked at the reveal of WiiWare, as well as giving the Wii Fit balance board a date. Another preview of note was Samba De Amigo, making full use of the Wii Remote as maraccas.

The feature this month looked at the Evil side of Kiddy Gaming, and how things that shouldn't happen on a Nintendo console, happened, for example gory games like Manhunt, Resi 4 and No more Heroes as well as other things that probably need to be censored like the great mighty poo and the sword through the head of Ganondorf in the Wind Waker.

Mario Kart Wii was reviewed this issue, with Matthew taking a full look at every aspect of the game, including all the courses and all the weapons on offer. He scored it a slightly disappointing 88%, praising the general gameplay, as well as the innovation on offer from the online mode. He was disappointed at the offline multiplayer however as the Wii seemed to struggle.

The House of the Dead 2 & 3 return was reviewed on Wii, with the Wii remote providing a good alternative to the lightgun games of previous generations. Matthew Pellett scored it at 79%, with the main issue being the lack of graphical improvement compared to the original games - at this point HOTD 2 was 10 years old. There was a courtroom showdown, with the latest Phoenix Wright facing off against Apollo Justice, Phoenix was the slight victor, scoring 82% against Apollo’s 80%. Pro Evo 2008 was the only other big hitter this month, as Nick scored Konami’s Wii conversion 89%, with praise for the gameplay and use of controls, but as usual the commentary and audio generally put a bit of a downer on things.

World of Nintendo brought a number of interesting articles, including some of their previous comments about earlier Mario Kart titles, including many of the good and bad features of the games. This was one of the few times they would print portions of their magazine back catalogue. There was also a map guide to the elusive rubber bands in Bully, a showcase to some of the puzzles in Professor Layton, and a look at some of the Japanese Puzzle games that never saw the light of day in the west. On page 89 the team drew their very own fantasy Mario Karts.

Within Download this month, the history lesson looked at the Mother franchise, with details on all three parts of the franchise and the unreleased Earthbound 64. There was also a look at the mansion from Eternal Darkness, showcasing a map of the area and some of the common features of the psychological horror game. The commodore 64 was also launched on Virtual Console this month and they looked at the games released, and some of the key attributes of the 80s console. In the Meanwhile section, it was almost time for GTA 4, and as always it was very much anticipated.

Articles

Features

Sintendo - The Evil Side of "Kiddy Gaming"
The Bendy Course of Mario Kart...
Bully: Scholarship Edition - Fully Mapped
Professor Layton Bonus!
You've got to Fight for your Right to Puzzle
History Lesson 19: Mother
The Roivas Mansion - Eternal Darkness

Previews

Okami
Samba De Amigo
Death Jr: Root of Evil
Bangai-O Spirits
Our Video Game Exams
Deadly Creatures
Speed Racer
Band Mashups
Everyone's Pokemon Ranch
Lostwinds
Eternity's Child
Criminal Story
Sid Meider's Civilization Revolutions
Dungeon Explorer
Defend Your Castle
Metal Slug 7
Milestone Shooter Collection
Cid the Dummy
World Championship Snooker
A New Beginning

Reviews

Mario Kart Wii
Author: Matthew Castle
Country: Uk
Score: 88
The House of the Dead 2 & 3 Return
Author: Matthew Pellet
Country: Uk
Score: 79
Phoenix Wright: Trials and Tribulations
Author: Matthew Castle
Country: Uk
Score: 82
Apollo Justice: Ace Atourney
Author: Matthew Castle
Country: USA
Score: 80
Destroy All Humans! Big Willy Unleashed
Author: Nick Ellis
Country: Uk
Score: 51
Sega Bass Fishing
Author: Matthew Pellet
Country: Uk
Score: 59
Sega Superstars Tennis
Author: Martin Kitts
Country: Uk
Score: 74
Worms: A Space Oddity
Author: Alex Dale
Country: Uk
Score: 49
Ninja Reflex
Author: Martin Kitts
Country: Uk
Score: 15
The Spiderwick Chronicles
Author: Alex Dale
Country: Uk
Score: 69
Assassin's Creed: Altair's Chronicles
Author: Martin Kitts
Country: Uk
Score: 50
Space Invaders Extreme
Author: Chrissy Williams
Country: Uk
Score: 85
Pro Evolution Soccer 2008
Author: Nick Ellis
Country: Uk
Score: 89
Populous DS
Author: Martin Kitts
Country: Jap
Score: 64
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates
Author: Martin Kitts
Country: Uk
Score: 84
Meburi and Teburi
Author: Martin Kitts
Country: Jap
Score: ??
Zenkoku Dekotora Matsuri
Author: Matthew Castle
Country: Jap
Score: 40
Soma Bringer
Author: Martin Kitts
Country: Jap
Score: 73
Dr Reiner Knizia's Brainbenders
Author: Matthew Castle
Country: Uk
Score: 50
Professor Layton and the Curious Village
Author: Martin Kitts
Country: USA
Score: 86
Teenage Zombie Invasiin invasion of the Alien Brain Thingys!
Author: Chrissy Williams
Country: Uk
Score: 77
Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure
Author: Chrissy Williams
Country: Uk
Score: 45
George of the Jungle
Author: Chrissy Williams
Country: Uk
Score: 55
Snoopy to Issho Ni DS Eigo Lesson
Author: Chrissy Williams
Country: Jap
Score: 75
Crayola Treasure Adventures
Author: Chrissy Williams
Country: Uk
Score: 60
Simple DS Series Vol.32: The Zombie Crisis
Author: Chrissy Williams
Country: Jap
Score: 65
Bratz: Super Babyz
Author: Chrissy Williams
Country: Uk
Score: 65
Arctic Tale
Author: Chrissy Williams
Country: Uk
Score: 40
Godzilla Unleashed
Author: Chrissy Williams
Country: Uk
Score: 67

Staff

Martin Kitts Deputy Editor
Chrissy Williams Production Editor
Kim Bissix Designer
Matthew Castle Staff Writer
Andy McGregor Art Editor
Nick Ellis Editor