Marvel Super Hero Squad Review for Nintendo DS

System: Wii, PS2, PSP, DS	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Halfbrick Games	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: THQ	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Oct. 20, 2009	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-4	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

While playing single-player story mode, the game is a side-scroller of the simplest order. While controlling your super-powered mutant, you are charged with journeying from left to right in pursuit of the previously mentioned crystals. Along the way are several lackeys in need of quick disposal as well as a modest amount of platforming. Neither is a significant challenge though; the enemies are quickly and easily disposed of and the platform maneuvering rarely offers a real penalty for missing a jump.

Marvel Super Hero Squad screenshot

There are only a handful of “chapters” to the story mode, each focusing on the player controlling a particular hero or villain for the chapter’s entirety, such as Wolverine or Magneto. After making it to the end of each section of the level, the game cuts in with a small load time and more of the bizarre cutscene dialogue before putting you back on your never-ending quest to travel to the right. At the end of the chapter, a boss encounter takes place against another superhero in what amounts to a scaled down Smash Bros. battle. The Smash Bros. clone sections of the game are the most fun, if somewhat easy against the computer-controlled AI.

Battle Mode is the other option for gameplay and is just the Smash Bros. clone from the story mode. Seeing as this is the best part of the game, it’s nice to have it separated out from the rest and readily available. Even better, it can be played with another DS user via Download Play for a one-on-one Marvel-themed, Smash Bros. rip off … complete with item drops and power-ups. Battle Mode is the brightest point of the product and has the most potential for the future. Even as is, it’s an entertaining portable diversion when utilized with another player.

With all that said, you can probably see where this is going: unfinished presentation, subpar audio, goofy cutscenes, slightly excessive loading, graphics that would mostly appeal to kids 12 and under, and basic controls and gameplay should equal a subpar experience. So here’s where things get weird. In spite of all these flaws, I actually liked the game a little bit. It has a very unique feel to it that somehow comes across as friendly and personable. While all the things said are true, magically (and I don’t know how else it could have pulled this off, so I’ll go with magic), the complete package isn’t as bad as it should be. There is a peculiar charm here that could serve the developer well if this continues on as a series. They have their work cut out for them, though, as nearly every area needs significant work done, but likeability is high. And I don’t know why, but I suspect it has something to do with The Hulk’s chocolate chessboard. Still, Marvel Super Hero Squad can only be recommended for young gamers who enjoy their superheroes and would do better with a simple game.

By Caleb Newby
CCC Freelance Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

2.5

Graphics
Graphics are nothing special, particularly during gameplay.

3.4

Control
Simple to the nth degree and nothing noteworthy, but responsive and accurate.

2.0

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Basically non-existent, as music offers little and sound effects are run of the mill.

3.4

Play Value
While there’s a whole heap of room for improvement, it is somehow inherently charming. Still, it’s best for younger children looking for an easy superhero outing.

2.9

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

Game Features:

One Super Sized story and six action-packed campaigns featuring Wolverine, Hulk, Thor, Iron Man, Silver Surfer, and Falcon.

Team up with a friend to electrocute enemies, wrap them in webs, and save Super Hero City.

Go head-to-head with your friends and fight as your favorite Super Hero or Villain.

Choose a dynamic battle arena and trigger environmental events as you fight.