Nintendo DS

LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy

Just like the umpteen other versions of Lego Star Wars, Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy for the Nintendo DS is a kid-friendly action adventure game that depicts the exploits of Luke Skywalker and Han Solo out of plastic Lego bricks and people. The DS game retains much of the irreverent charm and play variety that its console and PC counterparts have, and it also flaunts some of the most detailed 3D objects we've yet seen out of the handheld.

If you love Legos or Star Wars, this is a must have, though you're going to have to come to terms with the numerous bugs in the game. I still grow bitter every time I have to restart, but there is something about the game that keeps me coming back time and time again, even if I'm frustrated.

Die DS-Fassung, wenngleich deutlich besser, steht ebenfalls nahezu unsichtbar im Schatten seiner großen Brüder. Zwar ist hier die Kulisse beeindruckend, die spielerische Vielfalt bemerkenswert und die Mischung aus Action und Puzzles fast genauso gut wie bei den anderen Fassungen - aber auch auf dem Doppelscreener steht die Steuerung dem unbegrenzten Spielspaß im Wege, von der missratenen Kameraführung ganz zu schweigen. Wenn ich eine Empfehlung aussprechen müsste, würde ich auf die anderen Versionen verweisen, die Handheld-Varianten sind LSW2 light. Mal sehen, wie sich die bald erscheinende PSP-Fassung im Vergleich schlägt.

Größter Kritikpunkt ist aber die Kamera, die euch verwirrt und die - zusammen mit der trägen Steuerung - manche Sprungpassagen zur Qual werden lässt. Da nutzen auch die Zwischensequenzen in Spielgrafik, der gelungene Original-Soundtrack und die beiden Multiplayer-Modi wenig (Letztere konnten wir noch nicht testen). Fazit: Wenn ihr unterwegs LEGO Star Wars II: Die klassische Trilogie spielen wollt, solltet ihr zur Game-Boy-Variante greifen.

After playing the not-all-that-good GBA version of LEGO Star Wars II, I wasn't looking forward to trying the DS version. Both games are, after all, created by the same developer (Amaze Entertainment), so I feared that the DS version would be just as bad as the GBA game. Imagine my surprise when I finished playing through the first stage of the game and had actually enjoyed myself. Sadly, that initial burst of enjoyment wouldn't last for long.

Cette version DS de Lego Star Wars 2 : La Trilogie Originale est bien loin de convaincre. On aurait pu passer outre son "petit" gameplay si on ne rencontrait pas des problèmes de jouabilité provoqués par la prise en main douteuse, la caméra à l'ouest et des bugs parfaitement impardonnables.

We've already established in previous reviews that the LEGO Star Wars series is a great, surprisingly fun franchise that extends the sci-fi epic into an unexpected direction. The console games, and to a lesser extent the Game Boy Advance conversions of that design, offers a lot of solid and tight action based off of the immediately recognizable scenes from each of the film. LEGO Star Wars II may be a sequel to last year's game that was based upon the prequel trilogy, but it's the first time that the game's been made for the Nintendo DS handheld. And though the entire DS rendition pulls from the same excellent design that the consoles, PC, and PSP systems are currently enjoying, it's absolutely riddled with bugs and glitches, and in many cases these bugs make some portions of the game -- mostly, the multiplayer aspect -- almost entirely unplayable.

Mr. Ward, you and your associates have produced some of the finest games I have ever played in over thirty years of gaming. There have been a few clunkers (I won't mention Force Commander … oops, too late!), but I have generally been pleased with the quality of your games. Even games released under time pressure - like Battlefront - turned out fairly well, but this game simply wasn't ready for release and I think it is an affront to gamers that you have put LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy for the Nintendo DS on the shelves in such a clearly unfinished state. I hope that you will take this message in the spirit that it is intended and rally your talented team to remedy the situation and make things right for those who have bought this game. Until then, all I can do is spread the word and prevent others from making the same mistake as I have. Sincerely yours, Michael Anderson.

The clean graphics keep the comical nature alive and well, while the adventure aspects create some superb replay value. However, if you want to run through this more than once, you need to head out and purchase some more games. There are far too many other near-classics on the DS that require your gaming time.

Luckily, this is the most fully cross-platform game available in 2006, so there are seven other versions of The Original Trilogy to choose from, all better than this shoddy rush job. Adding insult to injury, on any other console this is the best use of the Star Wars license out there - at least the good stuff is only a trade-in away.

As for the DS version, it's a thumbs down and prolonged raspberry from us. When the only thing you can applaud is the competent way the trademark music is used, you know you've a stinker on your hands.