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Just like the Wii version, Geometry Wars Galaxies comes down to “price vs.
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It's simple, but surprisingly fast and true-to-form for a portable system. You'll notice some slowdown issues when things get hectic, and the techno audio and sound effects often fight, having audio levels not always equalized as we'd like them (coupled with some weird cut-off and audio pops from time to time), but in general it's a decent effort as far as A/V goes. The colors are still bright, however, and these remain to be some of the best particle effects we've seen on Nintendo's handheld, so while DS is the smallest piece of technology Geometry Wars has ever existed on, it still hold on to the spirit of the game very well. Geometry Wars began simple, then blew players away with stunning HD on 360, was scaled down to Wii, but now is nearly back where it started with a more simple visual design overall. As far as the overall audio/visual presentation goes, you're getting generally the same game, though obviously toned down from the Wii version. within the original Retro Evolved after you've sent it to a friend.
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You won't get friend-specific leaderboards though, and DS download play takes place of the Wii/DS game sharing (basically the same thing overall though), though you can still piggyback the download play into letting you go co-op and vs.
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In fact, since the game's content is nearly identical to the Wii version, we'd say the DS product is technically a better deal. There are over 60 galaxies, each with their own medal system, leaderboards for each level (as well as multiplayer and the included original Retro Evolved game), and the added campaign progression which has you earning geoms – the cash of the Geometry Wars world – that can unlock new planets and missions. On DS, we've seen very simple concepts win players over, and as long as you don't mind dropping $30 on something that harks back to a $8.00 Live Arcade game, you'll get your money's worth with Galaxies due to the huge list of content. On Wii the $40 price point was a bit steep for what ends up being a deepened – but nearly identical – experience to the Xbox version. The other issue that still looms over Galaxies (something that, again, the Wii version had to deal with) was the price point. It isn't preferred by any means, but it does work, and it's the best alternative outside of dual analog. Is it the most comfortable experience on the handheld? No, but Galaxies makes the most out of what it has, since – some of you may have noticed – DS doesn't have analog to work with. In fact, at one point we even switched from the spongy DS Lite d-pad over to our classic DS unit, sacrificing the brighter screen for a control pad that was thinner, quicker overall, and a bit more comfortable for this type of game. We still had moments of serious hand cramping (Metroid Hunters players know these pains well) from holding the system with one hand and constantly mashing down on the d-pad to allow true twitch gaming which simultaneously tracing on the screen to shoot. It's far from perfect though, and the lack of the far more comfortable analog setup is certainly missed. Once you move away from the classic dual analog, however, DS is actually the best offering, as the touch control is more tactile and dependable than the Wii IR a small victory for the DS version. After going the distance with all versions (Xbox included, just to brush up) and all control setups, we'd put the original Retro Evolved experience hand-in-hand with the Wii Classic Controller as the best.
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Wii moved from dual analog to having only one analog stick and IR control in its default controls (something that worked, but was far from desirable), and on DS that morphing of control goes even farther, now dropping the other analog stick and expecting players to perform at their prime with a d-pad and either four-button firing, or touch control. Most importantly, the controls are certainly different from what Xbox owners know and love.
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There are two main concerns that factor into whether you should run out and pick up Galaxies though, and they're the same issues that we tackled during the Wii review.
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As long as you dig the core mechanic, there's no reason not to pick up Galaxies it's Geometry Wars, now with much more of the same. Throw in touch control for aiming, an upgradable drone that gains experience with every kill and acts as a customizable sidekick, and Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection support for online leaderboards and you've got a package that's packed to the brim with "retro" goodness. Rather than always basing gameplay around the same handful of enemies and patterns, Galaxies opens the design up, emulating classic titles like Galaga and Asteriods to put a unique spin on each event.
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