Balloon Fight -E Game by Nintendo Reviewed by Philip "Pocket Squirrel" Wesley Size: 5 E-Cards/9 Dot Codes Save: E-Card Released: 2002 Works with: Game Boy E-Reader/GBA and Up **************************************************************************** Opening Snide Remarks: The E-Reader is out and I KNOW you're wondering how to handle reviews of the systems games on DMG Ice. You see, the E-Reader is a bit like a parasite system. It uses the Game Boy Advance as it's host and has a life of it's own.. even has it's own games. So, how to review the games? Easy! Just scan the cards in, and go to a review as normal! Oh, for those who may be wondering, yes.. I accept Sleep Mode Games for review. So, if you download Nights Time Challenge from Phantasy Star Online; you may review it as a stand-alone game. **************************************************************************** Gameplay Descripion: I never got to play this game on the old NES; but I do own the sequel "Balloon Kid" and I played a lot of Joust; which this game is most like. Balloon Fight has a two-player mode that I was unable to test at this time; but it should be fun. The game is pretty simple. Your character floats around with two balloons and tries to pop the enemy characters single balloons by hitting their balloons without them hitting his. There's a little mix added to it in the way of extra point bubbles which appear when you beat, an enemy, a bonus balloon collection stage, clouds that shoot lightening sparks, and bumpers that knock you back if you hit them. If you get too close to the water, a fish eats your character. This is what composes the main game. The secondary game is an auto-scrolling stage called Balloon Trip. Collect balloons and avoid the lightening sparks as you make your way to the left. This one is harder than the normal game and works well in my opinion. Liked: The Joust-like game play is fun and engaging. Hated: It's not terribly original is it? **************************************************************************** Graphics Description: If you look carefully, the game is a little squashed. The GameCube GameBoy player should fix the slight problem in the cartridge. For an NES game it looks pretty good and everything looks decent. The little bird bad guys look almost as good as they do in the Game Boy sequel. The colors are nice and vibrant and everything looks good enough. Liked: It works! Classic graphics for a classic game. Hated: Nothing to complain about here. **************************************************************************** Sound/Music Description: There's about two or three main music scores in here and they are VERY GOOD. The one for the Game Over and the one for when you first start it after scanning it in are exceptional. The sound effects range from working well to annoying. In particular, the score tally buzz after a bonus round and the twittering the enemy birds make. Liked: Great music, when it has music! Hated: Twitter, twitter..... **************************************************************************** Play Control/Game Design: While the game tends to immitate Joust, the play control and the new elements added to the classic gameplay make this a solid package and a great addition to your E-Card library. This game controls like it should and works very well in E-Card format. Liked: Good control, fun new elements, Hated: Not too original... **************************************************************************** Improve: Well, the sequel "Balloon Kid" improved on everything I would have mentioned here, so I won't mention them. RIYL: Joust, E-Cards, Balloon Kid. **************************************************************************** Final Words: If you own an E-Reader, you really have no excuse not to pick up this great little addictive title. For the price of a fiver, this NES classic is still great. An addictive game that brings the fun to the art of popping balloons. These are some fun balloons. Gotta pop them all! **************************************************************************** Score Gameplay: ***** Graphics: **** Sound/Music: ***** Play Control/Game Design: **** Personal Opinion: ***** Total: Final Score: 92% **************************************************************************** Currently Known Codes: nope.......................