Release Archives: ... WEEK OF NOVEMBER 28, 2005 12.01.2005 Game of the Week Mario & Luigi - Partners in Time Developer: AlphaDream Publisher: Nintendo System: NDS MSRP: $34.99 This is one of the main reasons I bought my Nintendo DS. The first Mario and Luigi RPG on the GBA was one of the few games that consistently made me laugh out loud. You want an example? Check out this quote from Fawfal: "Princess Peach's sweet voice will soon be the bread that makes the sandwich of Cackletta's desires! And this battle shall be the delicious mustard on that bread! The mustard of your doom!" I'm sure the new title keeps the over-the-top dialog in tact and I know the phenomenal gameplay of the original has returned, so there's no reason this game should be left unplayed. Heck, as long as Baby Luigi struggles to say his own name - "Wee gee" - I think we can all be satisfied. Elf Bowling 1 & 2 Developer/Publisher: Ignition Systems: NDS, GBA MSRP: $19.99 Now this is why I love portable systems. Is there any way a ridiculous concept such as this would fly in the big budget world of consoles? I think not. I would love to wax poetics about the simple joys of bowling elves, but there isn't too much to say about this title. You play as Santa and launch yourself, via elastic underwear, down a bowling lane in attempt to knock over your poor, little elves. And that's about it. The two-player mode pits you against a rival Clause as you attempt to knock down your own elves while pushing his into the water. A must buy? Certainly not. But a $20 price tag on this is sure tempting... Dr. Mario / Puzzle League Developer: EAD Publisher: Nintendo System: GBA MSRP: $29.99 Fifteen years after the original Gameboy version of Tetris dropped into our lives, a new portable puzzle title is ready to lay claim to the coveted spot of Most Addictive Game Ever. A combo pack of Dr. Mario and Puzzle League almost seems cruel. It's one thing to have these games waiting under your TV when you're at home, but with a portable version you may find yourself playing in class, on the job or even while driving. It honestly doesn't get much better than this. Buy as many GBAs and copies of this game as you can carry, and contaminate all your loved ones. PoPoLoCrois Developer: SCEI Publisher: Agetec System: PSP MSRP: $39.99 Times have really changed. Back when Sony first burst onto the scene in the mid-90s, they didn't want any 2D games to hit their precious systems. Popular Japanese titles, such as the one I am currently writing about, were left overseas so American gamers could buy another Tomb Raider. But now Sony has a portable system, and while it has more power than Edsel Ford in his prime, it doesn't really have any games to speak of. So Agetec reaches into their bag on games from yesteryear, found a certain gem that never made it stateside, and decided to do our nation a service by bringing it our way. There isn't too much innovation going on in the crazy capitalized world of PoPoLoCrois, but it sure is pretty and should be quite fun as well. There is no reason not to buy this title; there certainly isn't anything else to warrant your attention on the PSP. Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones Developer/Publisher: Ubi Soft Systems: GC/PS2/Xbox MSRP: $49.99 If you were upset with the stereotypical angst bursting from every orifices of the Prince's body in Warrior Within, this title is the compromise to appease both fans of WW and its predecessor, Sands of Time. This time, via the wonder of time travel, a good version of the prince has to fight an evil side he never knew existed. As long as the dark elements are kept in check with plenty of whimsy, this should be a fun title. The Prince of Persia series is known for excellent platforming and clever puzzles, and while the tone may turn off some people, there is more than enough gameplay buried within its morbid exterior to appeal to more reasonable individuals.