Pop Island Review for Nintendo DS

System: DSi	Review Rating Legend
Dev: ODENIS Studio	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: ODENIS Studio	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release:Dec. 7, 2009	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-8	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Everyone	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

Pop Island has a sweet presentation, with rainbow-style menus and unique character design. All the funny, cube-shaped animals are loaded with a nice pair of…ahem… wheels, skis, etc., which turns them into some fancy vehicles. The graphics in general don't have the "wow" factor, but they definitely have the "cool" factor, with plenty of colors, cute character designs, and diverse environments.

Pop Island screenshot

Also, the game sports some poppy, classy tunes - very suitable for the game, and some cool sound effects as well. But, visuals and sounds aside, the best part of Pop Island is its multiplayer gameplay. You can compete against not one, not two, not three, but seven other friends via local DS connection. Eight-player multiplayer is hard to come by these days, especially considering this game is not even asking the other players to own the game. The main menu lets you share the demo via DS Download Play, and anyone with a DS, DS Lite, or DSi can receive it and start playing. As long as they keep their system turned on, they'll be able to try out the solo mode and the multiplayer.

Another unique aspect of this awesome multiplayer is that the characters and planets are all unlocked, so you can have unlimited fun with it right off the bat. You may not have a whole lot of fun when playing by yourself, but playing it with other friends is a guaranteed blast. For a lower budget game such as this, especially at the $5 price tag, you can't really go wrong. If you have some DSi points to spare, make sure to invest them in Pop Island. Not only will you like it, but your friends will really appreciate it!

By Maria Montoro
CCC Site Director

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

3.9

Graphics
They don't have the "wow" factor, but they do have the "cool" factor, with plenty of colors, cute character designs, and diverse environments, all running at a smooth framerate.

4.0

Control
Vehicles handle like they should in each distinct terrain. Only issue is hand-cramping after a serious play session.

3.8

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Cute audio tracks and neat sound effects. They do repeat a little, however.

4.8

Play Value
Five dollars for a game you can share and play with up to eight friends is a small price to pay, especially when it's this fun!

4.0

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

Game Features:

Colorful and fun, Pop Island is an all-action capture the flag game where you pick which team to compete on before running, jumping and spinning your way around the island in an attempt to collect the priceless flags hidden throughout it.

Become a surfing penguin, a flying fish, or a waterskiing crocodile as you go all out for victory-unlocking 12 more joyful animals as you rack up points across eight different planets.

Playing alone is plenty of fun, but the madcap action reaches a new level when your friends get involved. By sharing the demo of the game via DS Download Play, up to seven more people can join you for some head-to-head or cooperative action.