Buzz! Embraces Its Childish Side...On PSP

 Jungle Party, which is due to be released in the UK on the 8th of October 2010, is the first Buzz! game in the PSP series to be aimed specifically at children. However, it must be said that this title already forms part of the Buzz Jr collection on the PS2.

Essentially, the game comprises of a set of mini games which are played against jungle animals. These include playing basketball with an elephant and even taming a lion.

Each game can be played by up to four players on one PSP using the 'Pass around mode' so brothers, sisters and Mum and Dad don't have to miss out on all the fun.

In Jungle Party you play as one of four cheeky little monkeys. You must complete a set of 15 challenges to be crowned King of the Jungle.

This is a cute little title with the emphasis on fun but for anyone over the age of ten it can quickly become repetitive. Everything is already unlocked at the beginning of the game and a lot of the features are very simple and easy to use.

Furthermore tasks such as throwing coconuts or completing daring tasks like stealing an ostrich egg to gain maximum points have already been seen in other 'party' type games (albeit with a different twist to the scenario).

Everything in this game title is colourful and bright, which will certainly appeal to very young gamers. This is definitely a family title, with traditional host Buzz being replaced by a sweet (and sometimes condescending) host, Becky Boxer.

However, that kind of hits the nail on the head really - in reshaping the Buzz! series for children, this title has lost the essence of  what the main series is really about. This could be one of the reasons why the Buzz! logo has been removed from the PSP version of the game's packaging...  

That is not to say that this title is not humorous or fun at all, just that it has not got the kind of energy and replay value of the traditional games.

Nevertheless, when you remember that the game's core audience is young children then Jungle Party makes absolute sense. It is just a shame that there could not be a little something included for older children or adults as well. 

If you know some 'cheeky little monkeys' of your own and want a quick way to keep them entertained during school holidays and at the weekend, then this game is definitely worth considering. Definitely one for the kids. 

However, if you are more a fan of  the traditional Buzz! games instead, then do not despair, as another title Buzz! Ultimate Music Quiz will also be coming to the PSP and PS3 on the 15th of October. Look for a review of it on Mini Gamers very soon.

Game Of The Week: Tetris Party Deluxe (DS)

The classic arcade game of the 1980's is back for another round on the Nintendo DS. For those of you who might not be familiar with the game - is that even possible??? - Tetris requires players to strategically place different coloured blocks of various shapes and sizes in rows to create several straight lines. Every successful line of blocks earns points and the speed of the falling blocks increases with each level. It might sound easy but anyone who has actually tried this game for themselves will tell you that it is both difficult and very addictive.

Tetris on the NES

Tetris was created by Russian computer engineer, Alexey Leonidovich Pajitnov in 1984 and has been reincarnated in many forms during its twenty-six year history and was previously released on the Nintendo DS in 2006 under the name of Tetris DS and went on to sell 2.5 million copies worldwide before going out of circulation. However the original DS version remains a very sought-after item and can often reach up to £35 per time in online gaming auctions.

Tetris on the latest iPod system

The latest incarnation of the Tetris series is adapted from a downloadableWiiWare title, and promises to be even more successful than its predecessor.

Screenshot from Tetris Party Deluxe

With over twenty different modes of play, Tetris Party Deluxe is definitely worth a try. Some of the more interesting modes include Bombliss, which challenges players to create lines with pieces which contain animated bombs. The bombs then create chain reactions of Tetris points.

Sprint is a standard time-challenge mode. Players must try to clear forty lines of blocks in the shortest time possible.

Master is one of the most difficult modes in the game and should only be attempted by hardcore Tetris fans. In this mode, the game starts on the fastest speed and the highest level, which means that blocks merely appear at the bottom of the screen and players only have a few seconds to sort the blocks into lines.

Tetris Party Deluxe (DS) features several game modes

 The game also features different multiplayer modes for up to eight players on a single game cartridge. Furthermore, DS players who are connected to the internet can also communicate with other players via the DS microphone in the new Tetris Battle Lobby.

Tetris Party Deluxe Trailer

At its heart, this puzzle title is still the same old Tetris repackaged for the next generation of gamers, that said, this DS title may yet prove to be the biggest and best collection of Tetris games ever produced. Old and new fans  of the series are bound to enjoy hours of fun with this game. Overall rating: 8/10

HAVE YOUR SAY...

Have you bought the new Tetris game? What do you think of the new game modes? Is Tetris still as appealing as it used to be?

Why not share your thoughts with other gamers on this site by leaving a comment in the comments box (or by clicking on the 'comments' text link in the main window)? We welcome your thoughts.