Introduction: Think back to the launch of the DS and you'll find a truck load of doubt, fear and worry that Nintendo had gone a little crazy. Their follow up to the oh-so-successful GBA looked like a strange throw back to their Game and Watch handhelds of old. Even its name, DS, prompted confusion as it was unclear whether this stood for Developer System, Dual Screen or maybe even Double Super!

Amidst this fan-boy clammer arose a game that became the first title to embody Nintendo's new ethic for game development. It was able to represent much that they wanted to communicate about the new system. It was a quick play game. It used the stylus to control the action. It was developer by a small team with few resources. It was playable by hard-core and family gamers alike. It was what later would be called a touch generation title.

GamePlay: This game was obviously missed by many new DS owners as the console has become huge in pretty much every world territory. This release is essentially the same classic Meteos action re-bundled with a Disney skin and few tweaks here and there. The key gameplay values of the original remain intact. Blocks fall from the sky and can be shuffled around to make chain reactions. Each chain powers the blocks back into the stratosphere. The larger the chain the more boost is provided for the blocks. This simple dynamic is then extended as different zones have different amounts of gravity and a different array of coloured blocks with which to play. Each new setting requires that you develop new techniques to take best advantage of its combination of gravity and block falling variety.

Those of you that have played the original will know how addictive and compelling this simple set up becomes. Once you get through some training levels and acclimatise yourself to things, you will find hours disappear as you puzzle you way well into the small hours of the night. It was great to revisit this classic puzzler experience, and great to see so much care being taken with a repackaging of a game close to many Ninty fan's hearts.

Control: This release of Meteos does introduce some radical changes to the set-up. The biggest of these is the orientation of the DS itself. As we have seen with a lot of casual games, such as Brain Training, Disney Meteos is played by holding the DS sideways. This obviously plays to the casual feel of the action by making the hardware appear much more book-like. What could be more familiar or comfortable tot he casual gamer than the good old paperback. It is surprising how much of an impact this has on the gameplay itself. The whole game just feels a lot slicker as you tap your way, now in sideways fashion, through the different levels.

Graphics: Probably the biggest change to the game is the introduction of Disney's well worn franchises into the puzzler action. Gone are the distinctive planetoids and their long familiar block pieces. Gone are the galaxy and starts that used to adorn the top screen. In their place we have different Disney movie themes for each different setting. This works pretty well as they are both colourful and distinctive.

That said, the kiddie nature of the majority of the Disney artwork does mean that the game looks (and even feels) a little less grown up. You are going to be less keen to be seen playing this on the bus. The old Meteos had a cool retro feel that has been swapped out for cute and cuddly. This is not necessarily a bad thing as it should open up this great game to a whole new audience.

Sound & Music: Meteos always had great sound. At times, the sparse backing music combined with the sound effects of blocks falling and jetting into space, to produce an almost rhythm action effect. It really was as if you were not only playing a puzzle game but also creating some great music along the way. The move to the Disney franchise definitely diminishes this rhythm action feel. The tunes are more happy and up beat, and the background music unavoidably more fleshed out. Whilst this is a shame, the music does a good job of adding to the distinctive feel of each zone. The spot effects are also themed around each Disney film and again do a good job of moving the action along somewhat.

Dual Screen Use: Disney Meteos still employs the touch screen in the same way as the original. This is more a testament to the quality of the original than a lack of innovation on the part of the team producing the new version. 'If it ain't broke why fix it?' This is certainly a motto that can be applied to the title. You use the touch screen to easily move the various block around as you make you chains. This provides both a visceral connection to the on screen action and lets you quickly jump from block to block with out having to press buttons to navigate your way around the rest of the screen real-estate.

Final Comments: This is an interesting concept of revisiting an old game. The rework has been both well considered and fully fledged. No part of the game has been untouched. The switch to a book style use of the DS is inspired and I really hope this becomes a standard option for puzzle games. The kiddie graphics will be off putting to some, but should also serve to encourage a younger audience to enjoy what is still at heart an excellent DS puzzler.

Pro: All that made Meteos great is still here, intact and in book form.
Con: Childish visuals may be off putting to some.
Final Score: 8.1




Reviewed by: Douglas Andrews