Thanks for the review man! I'm very very tempted by this. I've never imported a game and I LOVE my DS. How manageable is it for those of us who have NO clue about the Japanese language??
I wish I had known about it when it was slightly cheaper....The CheapAss in me has a hard time paying more
Thanks
Dan
[quote name='hwong3']It's the first thing I noticed when I got to the sale page so I thought I would highlight it for others. I ordered one right away since I've been waiting for this for awhile!
BTW, for all those who care about the NDS, I just wrote review re Guru Guru Nagetto:
Guru Guru Nagetto (Japan)
Graphics = 6
Sound = 6
Control = 8
Gameplay = 7
Touchscreen = 8
Multiplayer = Yes, multiple carts required
My Progress = Completed Competitions 1 and 2 and Summoning Training
Overall = 7.00
Summary / Description
This one is a weird one. I don’t think it’s likely to see a US release, even though it’s simple to play and is quite a bit of fun, the concept might just be too bizarre. If you’ve ever played Ribbit King on a console (PS2 or Gamecube), the golf game where you hit a frog around, you’ll kinda get the idea of this game. And as Ribbit King didn’t do well in the US, I doubt this game would either. But as I said, it is fun, so on with the review.
Basically, you control one of several selectable characters (4 to begin with, but 4 more are unlockable) which then train familiars (which look like round, fat rabbits) in order to throw them down a obstacle course ladened path and reach the end in the minimum amount of throws. It’s kind of the equivalent to minigolf mixed with shuffle board, where you’re actually throwing the ball.
Each character has three different signature throws which can be used for different situations (low trajectory with long distance, high trajectory with short distance, rolling on the ground, etc.). You accomplish throwing your familiar by draw a circle quickly on the touchscreen to build your red power meter on the left side of the screen, and then drawing the direction/trajectory of the throw (e.g. to the right and up). Depending on the throw type you select, you are shown the direction/trajectory range available to you and you must trace through that area to complete the throw. While in the air, you can scribble left/right on the touchscreen to make your familiar flap his wings and go higher, or tap one of two customizable special powers in the top of the touchscreen (e.g. extra jump, dash forward, etc.). Each of these will use your stamina up, signified by a blue bar at the bottom of the screen, so you can only fly and/or use a certain amount of special powers. The course has three paths to pick from with various obstacles. You can switch from one path to the other before a throw by pressing up or down on the gamepad, as long as the other paths are level with the path you’re on. Sounds a little complicated, but it’s actually farily easy to get use to.
Now just try and beat out your opponents by (1) getting to the end of the course in the minimum amount of throws (depending on where you land at the end you get anywhere from –3 to +3 to your score) and (2) collect more colored cubes for special items. When you complete a course, you get an item depending on how well you perform. You can combine three items to create a new familiar. Obviously, better items make better familiars. You can then train them to improve their stats, and play through the Competition mode (best score competing against 3 CPU players after 10 courses) or Challenge mode (50 short courses with specific requirements for winning, e.g., number of throws, number of cubes, hole in one, etc.). You can also trade items with CPU players occasionally during Competition mode.
Bascially, that’s it. It does have a multi-cart multiplayer option, but I haven’t been able to test that yet. If you need help with the game, feel free to emal me. If you’re looking for a quirky Japanese DS game that will likely never get a US launch, and was created by the people who brought us the addictive Zoo Keeper, here’s you’re chance. Besides, it's only $19.90 (it was $16.90 two weeks ago, but this is still a good deal).[/QUOTE]
