Matt Johnson @JerseyBoy

Kirby: Canvas Curse (Nintendo DS)

Best use of the touchscreen yet!

The Good
Very fun game play. Most innovative use of the touchscreen yet. Gameplay is simplistic but challenging. Pretty and whimsical environments. Puts a whole new spin on Kirby.

The Bad
Has one of the hardest end bosses ever. It's almost impossible to play this game in a car or anything that's moving. Not much by the way of story. The game is very short.

The Bottom Line
Gameplay: 4 out of 5 Very fun and has the most innovative use of the touch screen yet. Graphics: 3 out of 5 Nothing amazing but it looks nice. Personal Slant: 4 out of 5 I've always been a big Kirby fan. Not many DS games use the touch screen in a really innovative way. Especially not like this. Sound/Music: 3 out of 5 Good music, but repetitive. Story/Presentation: 3 out of 5 Not much story but the game is presented very well.

By Matt Johnson on April 19, 2006

The Sims 2 (Special DVD Edition) (Windows)

Best character customization

The Good
The character creation is very customizable. The new AI can really help when taking care of your sims. Pretty graphics. Very fun gameplay. This game will suck you into hours and hours of fun, customization and keeping your sim alive. Doesn't lose the spirit of the old sim games.

The Bad
You need to constantly watch over your sim. Sometimes they can be very stupid. Obnoxious neighbors will come into your house, use your toilet and steal your freaking lawn gnomes! Takes quite a while to get to anything fun in the game, but when you do it's very enjoyable.

The Bottom Line
Gameplay: 4 out of 5 Very fun and Addicting. Lots of replay value. Graphics: 4 out of 5 Very pretty. Personal Slant: 4 out of 5 I love the sims games. Sound/Music: 5 out of 5 Great music in-game and you can even put your own mp3s into the game. Story/Presentation: 4 out of 5 You can make your own story! And the whole game is presented very well and is simple to navigate.

By Matt Johnson on April 19, 2006

Super Smash Bros. (Nintendo 64)

Best party game ever

The Good
For the time the graphics were great. Simplistic gameplay that anyone can pick up and enjoy. This game has amazing replay value and you'll find yourself and your friends in heated competition again and again. It has the nostalgia factor by including all of nintendo's best and most memorable characters from Mario to Pikachu. 4 player battle mode makes it the perfect party game.

The Bad
If you're a button masher this game will destroy your controllers. Some of the characters like Kirby are very overpowered.

The Bottom Line
Gameplay: 5 out of 5 Very fun and you'll be coming back for more again and again. Graphics: 3 out of 5 At the time they were great. But this game really shows its age. Personal Slant: 5 out of 5 This has and will always be one of my favorite games. Sound/Music: 4 out of 5 All your favorite nintendo themes return and the sound effects are very well done. Story/Presentation: 3 out of 5 No story but the game is presented very well. It creates a competitive atmosphere that will suck you into the gameplay.

By Matt Johnson on April 18, 2006