Just incase you haven't noticed, The Game Previews section Has been Changed to the Game Reviews section. I felt that the previews were incorrect and would matter after a game was released.  But by making reviews, they'll be usefull for long. Artciles such as the Paper Mario one have been redone. But there will be less pictures though. Enjoy!

Nintendo’s newest RPG adventure takes you back into the world of Paper Mario. The sequel, Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door, was renamed from its original title, Paper Mario 2, for reasons unknown. But it is still they same exact game as seen at E3 (Electronics and Entertainment Expo) last May, although there are a few tweaks here and there.

The game is much like the original in its gameplay, battle system, overworld, and over all style. But unlike the first, we see a lot more elements added to it “paper” theme. Many things such as new transformations and special buttons show off that. For instance during the game Mario will be able to take on such forms as a paper plane, a paper boat, a tube,  the ability to ture side ways and fit through small openings, as well as a few other. But its not just Mario that’s has been “paperized” then environments will take on changes too. For instance, if Mario hits a certain switch, a bridge will form in the animation of flipping pages, or a stair case  will flip over and be in the opposite direction, and things like that. It may be a little too much but it really adds to the fun and trickiness of the game.

Like the first, Mario will have his allies fighting along side him. But in Paper Mario: TTYD you will be accompanied by only 7 party members, unlike the first where u had a total of 8. The first for main party members consist of a goomba, Goombella, a koopa, Koops, a wind spirit, Madame Flurie, and a runt yoshi, who is simply named Yoshi. Later you will be accompanied by an additional two characters, a shadow siren, Vivian, and a bob-omb, Admiral Bobbery. And if you are lucky you’ll be able to unlock the secret party member which is a mouse thief, Ms. Mowz. Each has their own special ability that will help u in your quest.

Having just recently buying and playing the game, to me it seems that it is slightly different than the first. For one, there still is seven stars you have find, just with a different name and appearance than the first game. Many of the worlds you encounter are just like the first. Most of the party members have the same ability as other those of the first game. And overall it just looks the same, sure there are some graphical enhancements and new features, but deep down its still the same basic game.

The music and sound effects in the game are quite good. Music wise, you get the same type of catchy tunes that you would in most Mario games. And you get many different types of music, some orchestrated, some just made out of beeps and boops, but it still varied. For instance in some battles you may get a hard rock like tune going on in the background, or some haunting music that you may here in dark places, to just crazy Mario music going on. But sound effects are a whole other thing. Many of the sounds have just been taking from previous Mario games such as Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, Super Mario 64, and the original Paper Mario.

Many puzzles and side quests will return as well. Such tasks as cooking for Zess T., working for civilians, and Peach and Bowser missions will appear during your quest some are required, some just for fun. The cooking one, which appeared in the original game, returns with a batch of new recipes as well as the ones from the first game. Again, you will have to find the chef’s cook book to allow you to use more than one item. As for helping out civilians, at some point in the game when you open the Help Center, you’ll will get the chance to help out villagers in need. Odd jobs mostly, finding a key or badge, pulling of a hit, or just finding people. That is also the same way to unlock the secret character. Returning to the game is the Princess Peach missions at the end of every chapter. Basically they are the same sneak in and out things as the first. As for Bowser, his quests, also at the end of every chapter, are mostly recreations of Super Mario Bros. levels. Many other quests are out there too, but that’s for you to find out.

Overall, the game shows that lots of work was put into it. You’ll get hours of action, adventure and fun out of it. And at some parts you may get a bit creped-out by some of the strange happenings. But its definitely worth a try if you are an RPG and/or Mario fan.~

Nintendo brings back another batch of NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) titles to the Game Boy Advance.  They include Metroid, Castlevania, Dr. Mario, and The Adventure of Link a.k.a. Zelda II. Half the amount that Series 1 contained, 8 total.

Metroid, the first in the 6 game franchise, is Samus Aran’s first adventure. Originally part of the NES’s Action Series, it takes place on a mysterious planet where space pirates have been testing on creatures know as Metroids. It is Samus’s duty to rid the planet of the Space Pirates and their leaders Kraid, Ridley, and the Mother Brain. Although it is being released for this special series, it will probably be the least selling of the four. The reason being is that is it is an unlockable in both Metroid Zero Mission and Metroid Prime. And people won’t want to pay 20 bucks for a game that you can just unlock. It’s an awesome game and all but 20 bucks for when you can just unlock it in another game? I think not.

Castlevania, the first of Konami’s best selling franchise, follows the adventures of Simon and Dracula’s castle. Based upon the Dracula books, you control Simon through a vast amount of puzzles and quests in the haunting castle. While fighting zombies, bats, evil dogs, and what not, you’ll encounter many challenging paths that may get you quite confused. During your adventure, you be able to find different weapons to fight of evil and make your way to Dracula’s Lair.

Samus returns in the second installment of the Metroid Prime series. This time the game drifts away from its Space Pirate hunting theme and brings Samus to a brand new world, Aether. Here Samus will arrive finding her comrades and their vessels destroyed. Now Samus must find the hunters, and have them hunted.

Soon you will meet up with the Luminoth, a species that protects the light from darkness on Aether. You will learn the story of the Ing, those who protect the darkness and spread evil. It is your duty as Samus to destroy the Ing and bring peace back to the Luminoth.

The game will have many new features, as well as ones from the previous game. There are also new shooting abilities such as multiple lock-on missiles. You will also be able to use new weapons such as the Light and Dark beams, which require ammo. There are also new suits as well, the Light Suit and Dark Suit. Samus will also be able to use the gravity jump, a classic of the Metroid series. The grapple beam, power beam, Varia Suit, and other will return as well.

Samus’s morph-ball abilities and puzzles have been tweaked a bit as well. Now there are many more morph-ball mazes and puzzle than the first Prime. And new things in the environment as well, such as morph-ball cannons that launch Samus into the air. The morph-ball bombs will also go a lot faster than the last game.

The game has a bit more of a haunting experience that the previous adventure. Large ferocious creatures attack, Ings controlling space pirates. The music also adds to the creepy experience. But now, Samus has a new foe, Dar Samus, who is a clone of Samus that is the exact opposite of Samus in everyway except power.

Also new to the series will be a four player multiplayer battle mode. You will have the ability to lock-o opponents, which is a bit unfair, but it can be evaded by going into morph-ball mode. The missile and beams will be the same as the single player made. And each character is represented by different colored suits, all of which are Samus. It is unknown if there will be any extra characters to use.

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes comes out this November, but may not be available, so pre-order now.~

*review coming soon(maybe)*