"Pure cutesy poo side scrolling drivel"
The above quote is me taking the long view of this game. I am stunned and appalled at how this game turned out. It has nowhere the length or innovation of the first game. You cannot play through the whole game (every level) at any time. I mean, what is going on here? I thought this game was supposed to be an update of the first? As it stands it plays more like a pre-quel to the original SNES game.
What’s right with Yoshi’s story? Well the 2D graphics look amazing. The backgrounds that are made to look like paper cut-outs or other material is done to perfection. The control is spot-on like a Nintendo game should be. The gameplay mechanics are good, but nothing new is really brought to the table. They did get rid of crying baby Marioi which is a blessing. I HATED that sound of Mario crying in the first game.
What’s wrong with Yoshi’s Story? The level layout is poor because you cannot play through each level of the game at one sitting. The game is much too short even as a stand alone game, but if you compare it to the SNES original, the length of the N64 sequel is horribly puny. There aren’t as many bosses as the original. I HATE the singing at the beginning of the game. It is horrible. Worse than horrible. Contrary to popular belief, this is what the voices of demon’s from Hell sound like. High pitched, off-key harmonies that will send you running to play your "Fingernails on a Chalkboard" relaxation tape.
This game will appeal to the most of the younger generation, but I think they’d have to be really young. Most of the kids I know that have played this game think it’s lame compared to such offerings as Goldeneye. My neighbor kid bought it and finished it within hours of getting it home. He had saved up for almost 6 months to get this game. Pretty pathetic, isn’t it? Now it sits dormant by his machine while he plays a real quality title, Banjo-Kazooie. I expected a heckuva lot more from Nintendo on this one.
As a side scroller, it’s got what you’d expect. If you don’t know what to expect from a side-scroller by now, log off the Internet and go and rent about 3 different side scrolling games. You’ll get the idea. However, Yoshi’s Story doesn’t feature the "go from left to right and find the level exit" system. You just simply have to eat 30 pieces of fruit with your tongue and then you will be magically whisked away to another level. Pretty unimaginative and boring.
Sure you can find the secret black and white Yoshi’s but so what? I can tell you that I think this game was rushed like hell to get out the door before Banjo showed up, and that’s why it is uncharacteristically lacking for a Nintendo product. Let’s be honest, now that Banjo is here, who is clamoring to play Yoshi? Yes they are totally different games, but when Nintendo is only spitting out a couple of games a year, they expect each one to stand out. So far they’ve blown it with Mario Kart and now Yoshi. Let’s hope they succeed with Link and Mario 2.
It’s sad to see Nintendo, who practically invented side scrollers (with the exception of the Smurf game on Colecovision) poop out something this generic. If you want to look at the next level of side scrollers then check out Tomba! on the PlayStation, because you certainly won’t find any good ones on N64 yet.
Ultimately, if you are under 8 you will probably like this game. Anyone over and above that age will probably like this game too, I’m just not recommending a purchase. Weekend rental at best for everyone concerned. Case Closed.
Final Analysis: