"Mario Kart: Double Dash!!!" Nintendo for GameCube ****
Virtually everyone has played "Mario Kart 64," and everyone who has loves it. So, at first glance it seems questionable whether or not it's worth it to shell out $50 for a copy of the latest version, "Double Dash." To put it plainly, multiplayer "Double Dash" is the epitome, the very definition, of fun.
There is no way to adequately put into words the sheer ecstasy of grabbing three of your best friends (seven if you can afford two broadband adapters) and plunging into the chaos of Bowser's Castle or Rainbow Road. Unlike past "Mario Kart" games, advanced players completely dominate multiplayer games, especially when you play cooperatively. In eight-player broadband races, the game doesn't even allow you to select your character, and suddenly you're racing with an unfamiliar character and car.
The character and car variation is an important departure from previous "Mario Kart" games. Characters can be heavy, medium or light, and their respective cars match their weight class. Small cars have better acceleration and grip while heavier cars have better top speed and are better able to withstand collisions. Each character also has his or her own unique weapon, such as Donkey Kong's giant banana peel or Baby Mario's chomp-chomp.
It's difficult to discuss the technical aspects of "Double Dash" because they seem so inconsequential. The graphics are on par with other "Mario" titles, and the music is mildly annoying. Single-player is a bit repetitive, especially since you must act as both driver and gunner for you kart, which is alleviated in multiplayer by cooperative play. While the single-play has problems, the multiplayer more than makes up for them. "Mario Kart: Double Dash!!!" is one of the best multiplayer games of all time.
- ANDREW McNAMEE
"Final Fantasy Tactics Advance" Square Enix for Game Boy Advance ****
If you are looking to fail out of school, "Final Fantasy Tactics Advance" is the game for you. "Tactics Advance," by "Final Fantasy" series maker Square Enix, shows why portable games can be so much fun.
The game focuses around the player, who gets sucked into the world of the video game "Final Fantasy." The world has creatures like lizards, wizards and moogles (a "Final Fantasy" series standard) roaming about, and our hero is trying to find the way back to his own world. The gameplay is the same as every other "Final Fantasy," and the player roams the world looking for quests to ultimately find the way home.
But there is one very important twist. Gone is the simple battle scheme of earlier "FF" games, and in its place is a strategic mode that requires command of your field of characters by having them move around, fight and cast spells in a turn-based fashion. If fighting is your least favorite part of role-playing games, this game is not for you. If you are a strategy and RPG fan, this game is wonderful.
Even though "Tactics Advance" came out late last year, it is still a wonderful game worth playing, and features large amounts of replay value. It is Square Enix's first Nintendo release in years and brings it back to Nintendo fans with a bang. Soon followed by "Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles" for the GameCube, it looks like Nintendo fans are in for a treat in the future, even though the "Final Fantasy" series in its purest form will most likely stay on Playstation 2.
- ROSS NOVER
