Sometimes it’s pretty hard to comprehend why developers continue to churn out subpar games after subpar games that do not even measure to half of the better games in a certain genre. It is as if the publisher had a “me-too!” brainwave and while this can be good if they provided quality games in the first place, truth is these are shovelware.
Take for instance World Championship Games: A Track & Field Event for the Nintendo DS which will have you competing in several sporting events, utilizing the touch screen. While this might sound like the awesome New International Track & Field released for the same platform, the former really pales in comparison.
Usage of the touchscreen is pretty Ouendan especially for the running and jumping events. You have to tap on circles with each foot step and nothing gets boring faster than that. The rest of the events feature equally clunky controls (but not as boring), and one couldn’t help but wonder why the developers didn’t put in more graphical cues like the ones you can find in New International Track & Field.
But judging by the graphic quality of World Championship Games, one shouldn’t expect much. The game is downright ugly. The character textures look like something from the Quake era, and while that might be a compliment 10 years ago (no offense id Software!), looking like vormit in this day and age is just plain revolting.
The only event I had fun in was archery. While the other events will have you busy focusing on the touch screen with no time to watch the action unfold on the top screen, archery has that cool follow the arrow cam after you have launch the shot. Hitting the bullseye and getting 10 points, it’s just sheer satisfaction.
Unfortunately, that’s the only bright spot in this dismal outing for the Nintendo DS. So if you are buying this for your kid, it’s uglier than Pokemon and plays worse (most of the time). There are better and cheaper games out there, and the first thing you should do is to check out Konami’s New International Track & Field which sells for just USD 14.90 (click here for details).
If you are still interest in World Championship Games, it is available now. Click here for details.
I disagree with the review comments, World Championship games is one of the best track and field sports games available on the DS right up there with the best. As for graphic quality well lets face it the DS is no PS3…..
You know, I’m actually pretty sick and tired listening to excuses that the DS is underpowered. If you need to see a master class on what a track and field title can be on the Nintendo DS, go look under Konami 🙂