Kyle McColl

Wow talk about a busy week in University and a heavy workload; I'm just thankfull it's nearly the weekend and I can finally relax and enjoy some cool retro gaming and chill with friends. My full Gizmondo collection finally arrived today and I've been spending a lot of time getting to grips with the system and all the games for it. The blog I did on it a while back was a bit thin on the ground when it came to the games and details so thought I'd try and give a more in-depth viewpoint here for the Crosseyedgamers! ^^

And just to let ya know, I'm listening to the Greatest Hits of Bucks Fizz while I'm writing this - love my 80s pop!

Hockey Rage 2005
Featuring a rather punk based soundtrack, the game is a rather simple yet hyperspeed version of the popular sport. If I were to compare this to anything, it would be Fifa Street, it's got a similar feel and style to it. The graphics aren't great but are no worse than some of the DS titles that have been offered to us over the last 6 years!

This game is superfast and you can't help but feel somewhat lost as you concede more goals to the rather demonic looking opposition. The controls are easy enough but trying to master them at the speed the game goes at is a nightmare! With a good bit of time the controls can be mastered but patience will be needed. There's a solid, though insubstantial game on offer here.

4/10

Sticky Balls
I loved this game the first time I played it and I still love it now! The premise is nice and simple - connect together all the balls of a same color with as little moves as possible. The graphics are really good in this title and would easily rival the PSP on a good day without too much hassle. The theme tune that plays when the game starts is also rather catchy and gets some plus points!

The gameplay is nice and simple; more importantly addictive. This is one of the few portable games that really feels like a pick up and play title. You can just dive in and play a couple of rounds to brighten your day or keep going until you lose and reach Game Over! A truly good title and deserves a Renaissance on the PSP in the future!

9/10

Fifa Football 2005
I'm really surprised that EA actually released a Fifa title for the Gizmondo - I can't imagine them gambling on a new handheld's success by developing a title for it. Mind you, when you play the game it doesn't come across as well made. There's a distinct lack of polish to the visuals, looking grainy and lazy compared to other Fifa efforts.

The controls aren't too bad but the system's D-pad isn't great and lacks the dynamic control other handhelds offer in similar titles. The music is your standard EA affair so don't expect anything different here! Having said all that, I did beat Tottenham with Arsenal 1-0 in my first match so I'm happy with it! I can't give it a good score though, but is an interesting look at an EA handheld football title.

4/10

SSX 3
Another EA title - one of the latest titles in the popular snowboarding series. This one adds more tricks to the gameplay and a variety of areas to skate though that twist and turn constantly, presenting a challenge to the player. One wrong move and you'll be punished with being overtaken very quickly by your competition.

The graphics are alright, though nothing special by any means. Once again on par with DS visuals, there's some neat visual tricks as far as the multitude of turns, jumps and valleys on offer! Gameplay is your usual SSX stuff, and plays remarkably well on the Giz, though occasionally the D-pad can offer stiff controls when it comes to turning. It's a fun enough title but better to play them on the PS2 I think.

5/10

Toy Golf
Exactly what it says on the title - a great game of toy golf that combines the home locales that would appear in Micro Machines with the game of golf. It's an incredibly fun, though frustrating title, as you have to be precise with your aim and power if you want to get the birdies and eagles you're looking for! Little chance of getting a hole in 1 here!

The graphics are pretty good and wouldn't be too far off a PSP title if a bit more polish was applied. The controls are simple to use, though total precision is needed with shots. The music is pleasant and doesn't distract from the main gameplay. There's also multiplayer on offer which makes for great fun with extra crazy golf lovers! A very fun title that rewards patience.

7/10

Trailblazer
A remake of an 80s title for the old computers, Trailblazer was meant to be given a new lease of life on the system. While the Gizmondo crashed, the game can't really be faulted. It's a total treat to play! Your goal is to guide your pod from the start grid to the end in the alloted time as fast as possible. In your way are a variety of obstacles that will try and make life difficult for you.

The visuals truly show what the Gizmondo can do and easily match the PSP without breaking a sweat. This is especially impressive considering how fast the pods go on the gird! The controls are simple, with left, right and jump being all you need in order to play this game. The soundtrack is suitably techno, considering it's sci-fi look, and is similar to the music featured in Tempest 2000.

The game is simple to play but on the later levels will punbish you constantly for any mistakes you make so you need to be sharp! It's a challenging but incredibly fun title that is truly a gem of a game for the system to have!

9/10

Richard Burns Rally
A portable version of the popular rally series, it remains pretty faithful to the original game. The graphics are reasonably good, though are bland in places and lack full texture. It's a pity but it doesn't do any damage to the gameplay.

There's little music, with the voice of your faithful co-driver being all you need as you drive through the countryside to complete the races. However, there is one rather annoying flaw to the title - the controls. Burns Rally is totally unforgiving when it comes to control; if you go around a corner even a little too fast, you'll be punished with a big crash and lost time. It's a nuisance but I suppose it is realistic...ish.

6/10

Classic Compendium
This title allows you to play five classic board games - Chess, Checkers, Backgammon, Reversi and Four In A Line. However I've got a funny story to tell you - I can't review the title as the game copy I got hasn't got the game in it. What's funny about that? The game was factory sealed...go figure...

Classic Compendium 2
I won't be writing on this one long since it's another five board titles, this time from the ancient East! Tai-Pai (Basically Mahjong), Chinese Checkers, Chinese Chess, Shogi amd Gomoku. I'm only familiar with the first title but the manual gives nice and simple instructions how to play each title, which is very helpful.

The graphics are pleasant enough and the soundtrack is boasted on the box as being "8 high quality ambient music tracks". They're actually pleasant enough and suit the gameplay that these titles offer us. It's a pretty decent collection of games that are worth a playthrough, and the fact it's two plaayer doesn't hurt either.

6/10

Interstellar Flames 2
Right, even I have no idea what IF 1 is - there's a mobile title with the same name but I have no idea if they're related in any form. A cross between Starfox and Afterburner, you control an experimental spaceship that has been tasked with stopping an Alien threat from destroying Planet Earth.

The visuals are pretty good though not great, with bland textures removing the polish that the box art cover shows. The music is very electronic and exciting and keeps you in the mood as you take on the multitude of enemies that keep trying to kill you. The controls are good, though the D-pad once again leads to stiff controls that hinder gameplay.

This is a solid Afterburner/Starfox clone that is quite fun to play and keeps your attention span well throughout. It's bloody rare though so if you see a copy, snap it fast!

7/10

Gizmondo Motocross 2005
A relatively no-frills version of the American biking sport, I can't see that this title is all that special, or indeed bad. It plays pleasantly enough, with an isometric view of the track, but the occasional points when you can't see the track ahead are a nuisance and lead to many crashes thoughout.

The graphics are actually a let down and don't take advantage of the Gizmondo's power at all, coming across as a bad PS1 title, or even worse, Jaguar. The punk soundtrack is also rather grating, though if you're into that sort of thing, you'll be happy with this!

4/10

Fathammer Classics
A collection of three titles on one card, the three games are Angelfish, Stuntcar Extreme and Super Drop Mania. The first title is a very 90s top-dwn arcade shooter that has pretty good graphics and plays pretty well, though it's very easy to die throughout. Stuntcar is a fun racing title that allows you to do stunts like driving through burning rings and avoid stopped container lorries. It's not very substantial but a good diversion. Super Drop Mania comes across as a Tetris clone, with having to match colored blocks and remove them as fast a possible to reach a clear point on the grid. This is the most fun of the three titles and is visually pleasing too.

Overally these three titles are quite fun to play and together make a good collection of titles.

7/10

POD - Point Of Destruction
A grid based version of Space Invaders, you control a little pod on a square grid and you have to stay alive for a predetermined period of time, while fending off the ever increasing number of enemies surging towards you. Graohically it looks impressive, with a multitude of colors and enemies on show. The music matches the futuristic tone of gameplay well, and the game is easy to master and enjoy.

Another good example of the pick up and play genre, the game differs from Space Invaders in that you don't have to defeat all the aliens to win, but survive for the time period the game decides. However, don't think the game will let you win easily - the enemies shoot back and will be happy to kill you quickly as you flail around the screen. It's really good fun and worth buying but once again it's hard aas hell to find!

8/10

Pocket Ping Pong 2005
The final title released for the Gizmondo is this affair, a very DS feeling ping-pong title that comes across as a poor man's DOA Extreme Volleyball with Ping Pong. The visuals are rather poor and the gameplay is simplistic and lacks any remote skill or indeed fun factor.

The girls featured look like the characters that appeared in Virtua Fighter and lack any real detail or beauty. If you want to see semi clad girls play beach games then get DOA Extreme Beach Volleyball 2 - much better gameplay and very good graphics

3/10

And there you have it! ^^ - Drop a comment if you feel like it, it'll be good to see what you think of the Gizmondo and it's range of titles! Catch you all later!