Batman Begins is easily the best of the Batman films, putting Burton’s shitful attempts to shame. I was honestly impressed by the way they handled 3.5 villains, outdoing the way most superhero movies handle one or two. The only thing I didn’t like about the movie was the fight scenes. Or rather, the way the fight scenes were filmed. I found the cycle of Big Blurry Messes followed by a fist or a dude falling over and another Big Blurry Mess incredibly confusing. It looks nice if you turn your brain off or something, but in the meantime, I have no idea what’s going on. I had the same problem with Alien vs. Predator (well, I had a lot of problems with Alien vs. Predator), only in that case fight scenes consisted of a Big Blurry Mess followed by a tail or an extended jaw thing. I know it’s fun to hide shoddy special effects or poor fight choreography behind lots of fast cuts, but it sure ain’t fun to watch. Unless you’re not me. Then you probably love it or something.

SWITCHING GEARZ

I finally broke down and bought myself a shiny electric blue Nintendo DS. Now that Super Mario 64 DS, a game I had no intention of paying for, is free with the system, and given the avalanche of titles hittin’ da streetz between now and November, it became impossible for me to resist the sultry system’s siren charms. The alliteration allows you to more accurately imagine the little console’s power over me. I also bought Kirby: Canvas Curse, which is a much less awesome title than Touch! Kirby! (or thereabouts) and preordered Meteos. After spending time with the two games I gotz and looking at screenshots/reading previews/NO HANDS ON EXPERIENCE, I’ve yet to see a really good use for the second screen. Something justifiable as necessary (hint: more than a map) would be nice. Though there’s the potential for new, crazy stuff springing forth from the development opportunities two screens provide, I think Nintendo would have been better off just giving us one PSP quality screen with touch capabilities. Because it’s really the touch screen, and not the two screen display that make the console. But enough of that. It’s time for…

IMPRESSIONS

Super Mario 64 DS is a retooled version of the original featuring three new playable characters (Yoshi, Luigi, and Wario), new levels, new stars, and lots of new mini-games, most of which use the touch screen in some way. It’s still a fantastic game all these years later, especially with all the added bells and whistles. Unfortunately, it’s basically unplayable. Given that one of the high watermarks set by the original Mario 64 was its fluid control scheme and seamless user interface, it’s rather ironic that the first (non-Chinese) port of the game is virtually uncontrollable. Despite throwing a barrage of control options in the player’s face, not one of them acts as a suitable replacement for honest-to-God analog control. Trying to move around with the D-pad is imprecise and clunky while the pseudo-analog possibilities of the touch screen don’t make up for the fact that trying to use it as a joystick is both counterintuitive and an ergonomic nightmare. To make matters worse, the game forces you to use the touch screen anyway, even when using the D-pad, as the only way to save or game (or not save your game) is through a touch menu on the lower screen. A touch menu they throw at you ever time you get a star, forcing you to dig out the stylus just to hit one button before you can keep playing. Nice work!

I’m still playing the damn game though, because behind the rough interface is a genuinely excellent game. And the mini-games are a tremendous amount of fun. In fact, I plan on playing just long enough to unlock all the crazy fun mini-games available. The mere thought of trying to defeat rainbow Bowser using only a D-pad gives me headaches.

Kirby though, is pretty hot. All they had to say to sell me on this game was “use stylus to paint rainbows, watch Kirby spin.” This is exactly the sort of new experience I bought a DS to enjoy. Rather than actually control Kirby directly, players draw rainbow lines along the screen with the stylus to act as ramps, bridges, and barriers. Additionally, touching Kirby with the stylus causes him to launch into a spin attack or use his absorbed powers while clicking on enemies stun them and clicking on certain blocks destroys them. It’s an interactive wonderland!

There’s also this boss fight that’s a rushed connect-the-dot puzzle ala Anticipation.

There really isn’t much else to say. It’s a charming little game that makes me smile.