N+ Review for the Nintendo DS (NDS)

System: PSP, DS	Review Rating Legend
Dev: SilverBirch / Metanet	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Atari	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Aug. 26, 2008	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-2	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Everyone	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

My personal favorite co-op strategy involved me throwing myself at bombs and obstacles so that they would disappear and my partner could pass through more easily. Of course, this doesn't work as well on the Nintendo DS version because there is no voice chat capability. So, if you throw yourself onto a land mine, even if it is for the sake of the team, your partner may follow you out of confusion or think you are a supreme idiot. Either way, I have to say that the co-op does still satisfy my love of working together, even though it is much easier to execute on the Xbox 360 version.

N+ screenshot

But many people are not as into cooperation as I am, and for those people, there are also some competitive online multiplayer choices. First up is the Blitz mode. This mode is essentially the same as Race mode in the previous versions and tests which ninja can get to the door the fastest. There are also two new online multiplayer modes. The Tag mode is probably the most interesting of the new online modes and plays like the playground game of tag. You have to keep yourself from being the one who is "it" and whoever has the "it" status when time runs out is the loser. Sure, it might be a little immature, but come on, you know you haven't played good old fashioned tag in awhile, and it really is a bunch of fun. The next new mode is Domination. This mode is a little bit more conventional then tag and plays like a ninja capture the flag game. It is also pretty fun and still manages to keep up with the whole "playground" motif.

Overall, N+ is a must-buy for both those who love the N series of games and those who have not yet had the opportunity to check it out. The second screen really adds a great new dynamic to the gameplay, and the classic feel of the game is as sharp as ever. I really can't recommend this title enough; it is very fun to play, and the online modes provide endless replay value. And, when you factor in that the DS is budget priced at only $20, there really is no reason for you not to run out and grab this title. Unless you hate ninjas…you don't hate ninjas, do you?

By Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Staff Contributor

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.5

Graphics
The graphics look nearly identical to those on the PC and 360 versions. While the ninja crash animations are a little softer this time around, the action is just as satisfying.

4.8

Control
N+ is ridiculously easy to control during the regular level gameplay (you just run and jump), and the stylus controls for the level creator feel much more natural than the console version.

3.8

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Music is very generic and repetitive, but it exudes retro charm, which makes it fun to listen to nonetheless.

4.9

Play Value
There are more than 200 single-player levels to burn through, 100 multiplayer levels, and if you are still bored, you can go online and play through an infinite number of user-created levels. You can be a ninja forever!

4.4

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

Game Features:

Hundreds of Built in Levels: Conquer over 200 levels in single-player or play with friends in over 100 Cooperative and 50 Competitive levels!

PURE and PLUS modes: Play in PURE mode, reminiscent of classic "N", or try out the new enhanced PLUS mode, only in the handheld versions!

Ninja Techniques: Master stealthy ninja techniques like wall-climbing and missile dodging to get past deadly laser drones, homing turrets, and other deadly enemies!

Networked Content: Download new maps and replays from the N server. Design new maps or show off your slick ninja moves.