G. I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra Review for Nintendo DS

System: DS, X360, PS3, Wii, PS2	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Backbone Entertainment	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Electronic Arts	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Aug. 4, 2009	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1 (1-4 wireless multiplayer)	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Teen	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

Controls are generally sticky around corners or edges of obstacles. This makes it difficult for the wrong reasons; instead of cunning and strategy, many of the game’s challenges are tricky simply because of clunky controls. Movement, while otherwise crisp beyond the aforementioned sticky obstacles, is sluggish when in a vehicle. Simply moving forward can be a chore if you lose your momentum, and it may require a running start while pressing every which way on the D-pad to get moving again.

G. I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra screenshot

Sound also follows the trend of decent but unspectacular. Music is there but never outstanding, and it keeps to a low enough volume to fill the space but never contributes to the feel of the game. Sounds are your standard DS action game fare with the customary explosions and gun fire. It gets the job done but brings nothing extra to the table.

For all the game’s shortcomings, it is easy enough to pick up and play while never being overly difficult or challenging. There are certainly tough situations and boss battles along the way that up the ante, but it’s never to the point where you can’t quickly get back to where you were and finish the job you started. While rated for teens, younger kids wouldn’t have any problem picking up the game and shooting bad guys in cartoon-esque violence. The game has a solid play time with over 20 missions to complete and incentives to play, as each character can upgrade their abilities along the way.

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra is lackluster nearly across the board with nothing new or unique. Older gamers may find it overly familiar and hope to hear a “Green Elf needs food, badly!” thrown in to confirm their suspicions. Still, it may appeal and be an adequate game to the younger, casual game crowd who was enamored by the movie. Don’t get me wrong, due to all of its flaws and unrealized franchise potential, it certainly comes up short. But for a licensed movie game, it is possible to see a demographic that will enjoy seeing their big screen heroes brought down to the Nintendo DS and not care about the flaws that tend to influence review scores.

By Caleb Newby
CCC Freelance Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

2.5

Graphics
Average to the core. Doesn’t offend or impress.

2.0

Control
Vehicles are cumbersome, targeting can be difficult, and corners are sticky.

2.2

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Does what it needs to do and nothing more.

2.3

Play Value
Repetitive for older and more advanced gamers, it may be appealing to younger fans of the movie.

2.3

Overall Rating - Poor
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Unique top-down arcade shooter, built from the ground up specifically for the Nintendo DS.

Choose from six G.I. JOE characters and five COBRA characters.

More than 20 missions across four environments, plus playable vehicles.

Create your own G.I. JOE vs. COBRA battles with up to four players (via wireless play).