Back To Yoshi's Island (Yoshi's Island (DS))

Member Name: King-Jokesound

Product:	Yoshi's Island (DS)
Date:	02/08/09 (7 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Amazing Gameplay&Graphics&Value

Disadvantages: Lacklustre Music, Feels More Of An Update Than A New Adventure In It's Own Right

Written June 24th 2007:

Introduction:
Yoshi's Island was a brilliant game, it had brilliant levels, graphics, difficulty, and kept you playing all the time. When a follow-up, Yoshi's Island DS was released, I was initially skeptical, but decided to get the game, and see how good it was in comparison to the original.

Graphics:
One thing that you notice when playing Yoshi's Island DS, is that the game is incredibly similar to the original in most things. One of these things is the graphics. While the original was a game that pushed the SNES's graphical capabilities to the maximum, you don't get the impression that it does for the DS, especially when the GBA displayed the original's graphics perfectly intact. The main problem I have with Yoshi Island DS's graphics are that they're all too similar to the original, and don't at any point even try to change or evolve at all. It's disappointing, but at least it helps keep the same style, and when the original graphics were so good, similar means that equally good graphics are in this as well. Just don't expect anything new at all if you played the original.
9/10.

Sound:
The original's music was pretty good, and matched the environments really well, helping the game become more immersive. However, in Yoshi's Island DS, the sound seems to be one of the only things not similar to the originals. The problem is, this is actually for the worst, as while the main tune is actually good, and the music overall is quite good, while it doesn't grate on the nerves, the way it juxtaposes against certain levels does. Everything music wise in this version is happy go lucky and cheerful. The main time you will notice this is in the boss levels. In the original, you would have a dark tune to accompany you, reminding you of the fact it's a castle, and it's a boss level, if you understand what I mean. In the DS installment, you get the same happy go lucky tune you hear all the time, and if anything, it puts you off. I might say it for every game I review, but listen to something else while playing, unless you actually enjoy the music. Better yet, get the original's soundtrack, and then listen to that while playing.
7/10.

Gameplay:
I could tell you that the gameplay is almost identical to the original, and that would be enough to warrant you going out and buying it.
However, while the gameplay is super similar, there are also major changes at the same time. For one, there are the multiple characters available. When Yoshi is carrying a certain baby, he gets their powers. Baby Mario allows him to sprint and hit secret blocks, Baby Peach uses the umbrella to ride wind gusts, Baby DK uses vines and exploding eggs, Baby Wario uses a magnet to collect coins and attract magnetic platforms, and Baby Bowser shoots fireballs, but won't let Yoshi eat enemies. You're able to swap between the babies at multiple points per level, and so while the puzzles are sometimes difficult, they're not too much so. However, the disappointing thing is that Baby Wario and Baby Bowser are both in the game for a limited time, and you are not able to enter any levels they were not originally in with them. This is especially annoying when Baby Bowser is arguably one of the best ones, but not so much so when you consider that Baby Wario is the worst baby. His sections are clumsy, his magnet is not very useful, and more than often, you'll find yourself being annoyed by his puzzles than entertained. It feels a lot like his sections and his character were added at the last minute, and failed. Another bad part is the gap between screens. While its there so that firing shots on the touch screen is easier, it also makes the game harder, as often, you'll end up in the gap between screens, and often, you'll find yourself being hit by enemies and obstacles that you can't see, and what you can't see them, you can't fight back, and it makes the game frustrating when it happens, which thankfully, isn't enough to kill your enjoyment of the game. If they made it so that your character couldn't be harmed in the dead zone, then maybe it wouldn't be nearly as bad.
Despite this, the game is amazing. The puzzles are the right difficulty, the bosses are good, and while it's challenging, it's not impossibly so, and you always want to keep playing. The game borrows a lot from the original, and in many cases, it works, but the main drawback from this is while it's a brilliant game, you can't help but feel it doesn't change the original's master formula much, and you feel like you're playing an update than a new game. However, this game is basically essential for anyone who has a DS, especially if they played and loved the original.
9/10

Value:
There are about 8 levels per World, and there are 8 worlds. That makes 64 levels. Add two secret levels for each world, and that's about 80 levels. That alone is more than enough for most people to play through, but then there's the rewards for getting high scores on each level, minigames, and the way the games wants you to play more and more and more. There's more in this game than most, and for perfectionists, you'll be at this forever, for everyone else, you'll be at this a long, long time. This game is simply massive, and it does a great job in keeping you playing, arguably moreso than the original.
10/10.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this game is simply amazing. It's massive, challenging, and a follow-up to one of the greatest Mario games made. Everything reeks of good quality, and it works amazingly well as a game. Its amazing value for money, and one of the best DS games you can get.

Yes:
-Amazingly good gameplay.
-Graphics match the game well.
-Baby Bowser sections.
-One of the best DS games for value.
-Will keep you playing for a long time.
- (Mostly) Improves upon an already brilliant game.

No:
-The Music isn't as good as the original.
-Baby Wario sections feel tacked on and are often infuriating.
-The gap between screens.
-The graphics are the best part of it.
-Feels more like an update of the original than a new game.

Overall Score: 91%.

Summary: Amazing value for money, and one of the best DS games you can get.