I Spy Universe Nintendo DS
Game Review: I Spy Universe NDS
I Spy Universe is a fun and simple game based on the children's rhyme game "I spy with my little eye, I see something" that takes the I Spy books and puts them squarely behind the Nintendo DS.
Ratings:
Graphics & Audio: 18/25,
Gameplay: 18/25,
Creativity 20/25,
Fun 18/25
Total: 74/100
I Spy is a series of books and now the third video game on the Nintendo DS that uses finding puzzle pieces in a bigger picture fun for kids and adults. The first I Spy came out as a book back in 1992 and with 13 books, eight CD-Rom computer games and eight other games the series is a well defined one.
The basic principle is based on that old rhyme game used on kids to keep them occupied, "I spy I see something with my little eye". The game simply puts a well concealed set of puzzle pieces like a guitar, a horn or a snail and makes you find it in a larger picture.
The picture can have dozens of various components and be used several times as the pieces are a variety of sizes and many are so well concealed even adults can find some challenging. The pictures usually have a theme and the first of any series of the puzzles will usually be simple and get harder as you move along the series.
The Nintendo DS game I Spy Universe has a set of twelve pictures
arranged in an unlock pattern using a space ships control panel and the various themes of space travel. You travel to the various puzzles by earning fuel after completing a mini-puzzle and finishing each main puzzle unlocks the next puzzle.
Each area has a mini-puzzle where you need to earn fuel to make it to the next main puzzle page with each mini-puzzle being a simple matching game or similar puzzle. These mini-games are pretty easy to figure out with mostly matching puzzles but a couple have you moving blocks to create a path.
The game is pretty simple and the controls to get started are easy to figure out, kids and adults should have no problems getting things going. The main puzzles and mini puzzles use the top screen as your information page or view screen for the mini puzzles.
When you're on the main puzzles the bottom screen has the picture and you can scroll the picture around to see the various parts of it. When you find an object on the list of the top screen you tap it and it will highlight the item on the top list to show you have found it.
After you accomplish each picture puzzle the first time the game goes back again to have you find different objects in the same picture. This gives you the value you want in a game with only the twelve picture puzzles for some additional entertainment but for adults you may get a bit bored after awhile.
The game is fun but does not change appreciably so it is basically the same after you have played it for five minutes, it does get a bit harder but not very different. Kids can have a fun time and this is a great game for travel or at those appointments to keep kids busy for a time.
Graphics look pretty good and with the one screen being the picture it works well, the only problem I had was a Nintendo DS problem. If you have the Nintendo DS in brighter light or direct sunlight it does make viewing the screen a bit harder but this is common for all games on the handheld system.
Sound is pretty good but like all Nintendo games pretty basic with good voice that is clear and is on many options when you try to click on things. I like the fact that it tells you something even when your choice is not available and the audio like effects work just fine.
I Spy Universe is the perfect little game for a mental and optical challenge that gives you a quick respite from the real world. I Spy Universe does exactly what you want in a fun and quick game that both kids and adults can play and enjoy, the game is easy enough to pick up and help your kids with if they need help.
I Spy Universe is a good game and fun enough for kids and adults to enjoy that makes a great take along game to keep kids busy and having fun.