TouchMaster 2 Review for Nintendo DS

System: DS	Review Rating Legend
Dev: PhoenixSoft	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Midway	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Oct. 21, 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

As you might imagine, most of these games are fairly simple, but this isn't Wario Ware, where you can learn a game in a fraction of a second. These games are a lot more complex and do require that you get a handle on the rules. That means burying your nose in the instruction manual for those games you can't easily figure out. It's not a difficult task, but it's annoying for those of us with attention deficit issues, who just want to jump right into the action. There are no in-game tutorials or instructions of any kind, and trust me, some of these games are almost impossible to figure out on your own. It's a pain to be sure, but there's no other way around it, you've just got to learn the rules first before you can break them.

TouchMaster 2 screenshot

Touchmaster 2 is colorful, bright, and clean. The graphics are simple, giving it a generic quality that just screams budget title. The music is also simple and repetitive, and the sound effects are barely on par with an early 80s arcade game. Once you get over the relatively low production values and into the actual gameplay, you will appreciate the uncluttered screen, smooth animation, responsive control system, and sound gameplay mechanics. Of course, looking at the game you would not settle for anything less than relative perfection. There's just no reason for this game to have any problems. At thirty bucks, this is not a budget-priced game.

You certainly can't go wrong with a rental of Touchmaster 2. But keep in mind that most of these games, or variations of them, can be found on the net for free. The only two factors that make this version unique is that it's portable and features the touchscreen control system. If you don't care where you play these games and can live with a mouse and keypad control system, then you might not want to reach out and touch this game.

By Cole Smith
CCC Senior Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

2.8

Graphics
Clean, bright, and simple. Looks like a budget title.

4.0

Control
The stylus works well but seems forced in some games.

2.2

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Budget-style music and sound effects. Primitive and repetitive.

4.2

Play Value
A variety of different, addictive mini-games extends the replay value.

4.0

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

Game Features:

Touchmaster 2, the personal arcade that fits snug in the palm of your hands!

Touchmaster 2 offers a collection of 20 new addictive, fun, and exciting card, action, strategy, picture, and puzzle games.

Play a quick round to beat your high-score or find some real competition playing head-to-head against other players.

Beam your favorite Touchmaster 2 game to friends for instant battles on the Nintendo DS.

Play with friends using local wireless Ad-Hoc play or by passing the Nintendo DS around.

Build up your Wizard Points and obtain all 60 platinum trophies to become the ultimate Touchmaster!

20 Brand New Games: Poker Slide, View Finder, Spellwinder, Scavenger, What is it?, Rampage Empire, Bowling, Speed Demon, Super Mahki, Picture Slide, Beaned!, Catacombs, Prismatix, Combo 11, Dice King, Speed Solitaire, Carpet, Catwalk Caper, Triples, Billiards, and Download Play.