Chris B.

I never played crosswords in my life until I bought the DS's New York Times Crosswords on a whim and was immediately hooked. So when Nintendo announced it was releasing its own crossword game I was ready to snatch it up at the earliest opportunity. Then I played the demo on the Wii's download service and was grateful I had waited. After being spoiled by NYTC's superb handwriting recognition and quick, no-nonsense gameplay, I found Nintendo's offering to be frustratingly slow-paced (zooming and square animations interrupt flow), convoluted (toggling between across and down), and buggy (terrible handwriting recognition). NYTC was a highwater mark and Nintendo should not have been afraid to emulate them. Thank you Wii/DS demo service, you saved me $20 bucks.

I'm not talking about what "can" be done. In a previous post somebody mentioned Contra 4 being only a few hours long, which is technically correct except when you spend days or weeks trying to finish it. My understanding is that Dragon Sword is five hours long in normal gameplay. I can't see any responsible reviewer rushing through the whole game to get the fastest time possible and then presenting that as the game's length. We're talking averages here.

And I don't believe the flip-side to a too-short game is one "double the length and mired in mediocrity," because I don't buy those either. It shouldn't have to be an "either/or" situation. If games like Phantom Hourglass, Animal Crossing, and Super Mario 64 can stuff a cart with entertainment AND reasonable longevity, I don't see any reason Dragon Sword couldn't as well. It seems like such a waste to put all that work into gorgeous graphics and fun gameplay without offering more world in which to enjoy them.

Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword was on my must-buy list until I read the reviews. Five hours of gameplay is, in my opinion, pathetic. It's actually worse when the game is so obviously awesome, because then the ride is over way too soon. Is this a game or a tech demo? Not worth it for me, sorry. Video games have been getting shorter and shorter over the past few years, and I refuse to support that trend.

I'm with Inez here. That screenshot alone guarantees that, barring any serious glitches or gameplay problems, I will buy this game.

"Oh Bwunhildaaa, you're so wuuuvwy!"

"I knowww. I can't helllp it!"

Classic.

Hey Carmack! While you're feeling generous, how about a free wand stylus for all the people who felt ripped off for paying full price for this game?

Me first! Me first!

This will sound cheeky, but in all seriousness: Having the willpower to stop playing Animal Crossing. (Without an intervention, mind you.)

At the very least, it offers a good excuse to say at this year's Christmas family reunion, "Now, I'll need a hundred dollar bill. Please lay it on the touch screen. Now I close the DS, say the magic words... ava cadaver... and YOINK."

In order, starting with the best:

Contra 4. (Game of the year, this one.)
Worms 2: Open Warfare.
Picross DS.
Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass.

Brello: Thanks. I was thinking the same thing. And kicking myself.

Archibold: Limited time. Mine didn't come with a stylus. Might have made the $30 price tag a bit easier to swallow.

As for the game, I'd say $20 is the highest "somewhat reasonable" price one should pay. It's a shallow game, but not total junk. Bear in mind that it was originally designed as a cell phone game, and it remains a cell phone game even on the DS.

I will not buy Orcs & Elves II.

I'm more shocked that 46% wanted neither. I didn't realize those 300 people polled were mental patients.