Review : TouchMaster 2 on Nintendo DS

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TouchMaster 2

Your verdict [1 vote] : 6.0 Add to my collection Discuss

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TouchMaster 2

By Jay Acevedo (AnodaJay)
Posted on November the 3rd 2008 at 01:11:00 AM

If the ride on the bus is long and boring, you might be one of those bringing their Nintendo DS systems with them. And while you won’t have enough time to immerse yourself into your favourite RPG game, mini-game compilations like Nintendo’s Brain Age and Clubhouse Games will fit the bill just fine. Midway got into the mix with their Touchmaster franchise last year and while it received mixed reactions from DS users, Midway and developer Phoenix Soft released the sequel, Touchmaster 2. While it’s not the greatest game ever, it does show improvements and remains fun. Here’s our review for Touchmaster 2.

Gameplay

Aimed directly to casual and young gamers, Touchmaster 2 offers a nice selection of twenty mini-games that go from Mahki to Poker and Solitaire. Players won’t have to worry much about the difficulty because there’s none. And if you played the first Touchmaster game, you will have once again a similar, but a bit better, experience with this sequel simply because the developers have made little but noticeable changes and additions to it.

First, PhoenixSoft got rid of the unbearable Nintendo Wi-Fi mode and replaced it with a multiplayer system that supports single-card download play, a much more reliable multiplayer system if you ask me, especially for this kind of game. Of course, players of the first Touchmaster will complain about the missing hot seat mode and high score tables but frankly, I can understand the developers felt the need to go back to basics. But, I hope those two missing options make a return on Touchmaster 3 (if it’s indeed in development).

Graphics & Sounds

Graphically, the game doesn’t look to different from it’s predecessor. The menus, the presentation of each mini-game, everything is kept simple ans straight to the point, just like on the first game.

As for sounds, the cool music it’s sure repetitive and simplistic but it’s soothing and not irritating like some of the mini-games compilation games out there (you know those annoying MIDI soundtracks?)

Value

In order to keep you busy and interested, the developers have also included a trophy system that litterally encourages you to play all the games and collect the trophies. It’s definitely not the Klondike but for a game that costs between 20$ and 30$, this addition paired with the single-card download play system makes this sequel worth checking out. More than just 20 mini-games for next time?

Conclusion

Making a sequel to an average can either stay average or improve. Thankfully, TouchMaster 2 improves on the little things without making huge waves.. If there’s a third game currently in the works, it can’t do anything else than improve. If you’re looking a cool, simplistic and cheap game to add to your DS collection, get this one.

Your verdict [1 vote] : 6.0 Add to my collection Discuss

Pros

+ Single card download play system
+ Trophy system
+ Game aimed to everyone, easy to pick-up

Cons

- Hot seat mode and high score tables removed
- Music remains simplistic
- TouchMaster it’s TouchMaster
- We could’ve used more than 20 mini-games

Final Verdict

6.0

Breakdown :

Presentation :

6.0

Graphics :

6.0

Sound :

6.0

Gameplay :

6.0

Replay Value :

6.0

Our review : 6.0
Your verdict [1 vote] : 6.0
System :
Publisher :
Developer :
Category :
ESRB : E - [GameFocus' ESRB Guide]
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Here's a small guide to help you understand our evaluation of games.

PRESENTATION GRADE
Can be from the game's box to the contents of the booklet, and even the game introduction. (Intro, menus, options, etc)

GRAPHIC GRADE
Up to what point the graphics have been worked on my the developper. The design type, the effort used for textures and environments, as well as animations and framerate.

AUDIO GRADE
Is the soundtrack a good match to the game's style, he ambient sounds keeping with the gameplay and the sound effects clear and convincing?

GAMEPLAY GRADE
Placement of the controls and the inferface that the player with be using during the game.

REPLAY VALUE GRADE
The most important factor in the evaluation of a game. It identifies the lifespan of the game and the fun of coming back again and again.

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