Super Princess Peach (Nintendo DS)

Princess Peach finally gets to kick some Bowzer ass. After two decades of being captured, she has finally found a way to exact some revenge on the Koopa gang. By her side is a talking umbrella which Peach uses to kill all the classic baddies: from goombas and turtles to ghosts who are still when you look at them (or away from them!).

The game is a departure from the Mario Platformer genre in the sense that Peach utilizes her emotions to perform effects like berzerker mode, flight, excessive crying (emo kids beware!), and hp increases. Each time Peach uses an emotion, her "Vibe Meter" depeletes. Her vibe meter can be restored by catching enemies on her umbrella and "swallowing" them. These abilities help Peach on her quest and are invaluable in fighting each area's boss. There are eight areas in all, ranging from a volcano to a glacier, to a forest, to Bowzer's castle and are complimented by their own range of enemies.

The environments themselves are colorful, and run very smoothly (as what can be expected from a first-party game). The use of the touch screen is limited for the most part to performing the various emotions, but the microphone is also used to shoot bubbles from Peach's submarine (apparently Mario never taught her how to breathe under water).

This game is truly a fun and addicting platformer with a few minor hangups. You must find and free three toads per level or you will not be able to fight Bowzer at the end of the game. The toads can sometimes be difficult to find, but an alert appears whenever you are in the same room as them. Coins are no longer used to gain extra lives (you have unlimited continues) and instead are used to buy enhancements for your umbrella, extentions for your vibe meter and hp, and a myriad of in-game scores. You can also buy puzzle pieces for 7 different puzzles and 3 mini-games for Toad.

Though it appears to be aiming for the six year old girl market, this game can be tough at times even for a seasoned gamer. The single player alone will entertain you for a few days. Then, after beating the game, you can unlock new levels by going back and beating harder versions of the area bosses.

Overall, the game will be locked in your DS for the better portion of a week. Once you have completed the extra levels and mastered the mini-games, there is no real reason to go back for more. Princess Peach is a great first effort for our beloved "Damsel in Distress" and can be equally enjoyed by kindergarten girls and keg-stand loving frat boys.

It's a cute game kinda fun... no matter what age you are! Super princess is a cure character with cute moves in the game. I would recommend buying the game!

I really like the use of the touch screen in this game. The whole point of having a DS is adequete use of the touch screen and when you find a game that gives you a pleasant balance of all controls it is nice. The levels are easy to pass but finding all the toads can sometimes be difficult. Remember to try a few secret ideas that you have seen in previous mario bros games and enjoy a new twist to a classic style game play.