Music Reviews

Introduction-
Being a Samurai Jack fan since day one of it's presense, my review here may seem a bit biased. I'll try to be objective as possible.

Development-
When I initially became aware of this game, I heard it endured quite a tough development, making my appreciation for the game moreso in it's release at all. After I heard of the switch and that the team heading production was now SEGA of America, I was very excited. SEGA is responsible for creating some of the best action platformers ever, especially the new Sonic Heroes. I knew SEGA would be true to Jack's inherient sleek action style and lovely spontaneous humor that never dissapoints. I am not dissapointed. Shadow of Aku retains the unique feel and qualities of the show while basing the games interaction mainly around pure Samurai Jack action.

Control-
Sakai mode, which is the games slow-motion feature, allows for recreation of stunning Jack show visuals. The combo system utilized is nothing short of extraordinary. It is used in conjunction with Sakai mode and give the player the ablity to literally immerse themself in the Samurai Jack universe while performing a vast array of Jack moves. Control only falls short when Jack jumps and attempts to land. Each forward jump and landing requires the forward directional button to be released at exactly the right time, or Jack will take a step forward. This only makes control difficult for hopping moving platforms.

Story-
The story line is pretty sparce, which could be viewed as a flaw. I believe however that due to the action oriented nature of this game that too much story line would draw from the intensity and break the continuity of the game. This is not saying that the game is without Jackness, in fact it is beaming brightly with Jack traits and humor.

Graphics-
I've heard several rumours that Shadow of Aku is Cel-shaded, but I have confirmed otherwise. Jack's graphics are superior and breathtaking, especially while combo's are being performed. Scenery stays very detailed even while action is ridiculosly heavy. Fog only appears in respect to the Samurai Jack universe and does not cover detail. Jack's animation stays fluid and constant. In few words, the graphics are very impressive.

Sound-
Beautifully orchestrated and truely complimenting to the feel of Shadow of Aku. Being a musician myself, I appreciate the time spent in creating rather long peices which capture the atomosphere of an area well and loop seemlessly. Sound effects and music blend well and never pose an annoyance. Thoroughly enjoyable, especially when the trademark Jack Techno and Orchestra elements blend for action sequences.

Saving-
Arrgh, okay. This is probably the most frustrating portion of the game. I'm not sure if the different versions of this game for other systems have the same delay in saving as the this version, but it certain poses an annoyance on the GameCube. The game loads very quickly, but saving is a different matter. Saving occurs after a level and before a level. Each save requires an unusually lengthy amount of time, sometimes in excess of 1 minute. This is aggrivating and heavily hinders the brilliant and well-planned pacing of the game. I suppose patience is key here, but it shouldn't be so...

Overall-
This game in few words is genious and beautifully executed. The graphics are smooth (especially while in Sakai mode), the control is delicate and transition between CGI elements and actual gameplay are virtually seemless. Recommended buy. I bought this title the day it was released, I suggest you do the same. Afterall, you do have the ability to randomly open portals to different points in time, don't you... Aku?!

-draws sword-

This game is very good and very well done. I knew it would be great when I first heard about it. I first learned about it in a special gaming disney adventures magazine only in stores. It said there would be a samurai jack game and that it would release in November 2004. I guess they held up the release. Anyway this game is really cool. It's also cool that Sega made it because most of the time Bam Entertainment makes the games. The game has the real voice actors well at least Jacks because everyone else is new to the game. I'm sure that Akus voice is the same from the show too. The game loads fast but saves for a long time. You get to use weapons like a bow and arrow and diffrent kinds of swords. You also learn moves which help a lot. You can also enter sakai mode to slow the game down so you can defeat really hard enemies. It sounds like Jack was just sent to the future but when you start the game it starts as another story about Jack trying to get into the time portal. The game has four worlds and 24 levels. I must say for a teen rated game it is pretty easy to finish, I beat the first world in an hour or something and I was on normal mode. There are three difficulty levels: easy, normal, and hard. I may just be a very good gamer to beat the first world so fast or maybe it was just an easy level. I'm on the second world but I haven't started any levels in it yet. The game stays true to the series with the same cutlines and a slow motion mode. There is humor in it like the show. I really reccommend this game even to kids because it's not really violent because you kill robots not people. There is no blood in it. Overall this game is fun and if you're a fan you should get this game.

This game is heaps of fun. I could play for hours and hours and actually found myself doing just that. If you don't mind returning to town all the time to buy more health drops and to sell off extraneous items, this game is a must buy. The only qualm I had was that it seemed at times monsters could attack you from a diagonal but you couldn't hit them. Maybe just a bug or a quirk. Either way, fun, fun, fun. Finally, levels are easy to gain and the variety of weapons and items make the game a little more enjoyable.

Shining Soul II arrives on the GBA with more expansive content and features than its predecessor. Become a mighty Brawler, Priestess, Dark Wizard, Ninja or others for a total of 8 character classes. Each character has certain strengths and weaknesses that can mean the difference between victory and defeat in the exciting co-op multiplayer mode. Enter the Royal Coliseum and challenge the computer or your friends in a battle for special items and glory!

This is a great game and totally worth buying.

5/10/04
I just got this game today and loved it.It is just another imatation of sonic herous.Dont get me wrong this is a good game but I wouldnt recomend it if you arent a true shrek fan.Also if you didnt like sonic herous dont get this.Also if you hated shrek 1 your in luck this is like 10 x s better.

My Children Really loved it! I have 3 Children and I am very picky on what my kids play. This Title was very safe and they loved it so much I had to play it with them. Which was very fun! We Really are having alot of fun with this one. I recomend it to any parent!

It was the best game I ever played in my life.

SPIRITS AND SPELLS is a side scrolling action/adventure game with a Haloween theme. It's even politically correct casting the player as both boy and girl who have been hurled into the underworld to rescue their friends' souls from the Bogeyman. The twist is the two characters now have the powers of their costumes, and you alternate between being a witch and a devil as you search for the jars holding your now spectral friends.

If all this sounds a bit dark ... RELAX! This is a game that earns its E for EVERYBODY rating by being cute and fun. Fans of METROID FUSION aren't going to find it very challenging, but young gamers and adults who miss the days of MARIO WORLD will be pleased with it. Some will feel the elements are recycled. You gather sparks and trinkets along the way (Sonic or Mario), and you battle small henchman to big bosses (name any side scroller game). But it's all well done and good fun! I loved it! It's immediately playable but not too easy.

I want more games like this believe it or not. Fun, cute, and charming!

This is a very strange racing game. It is based in the future
with you driving a racer floating on air. Graphics are not that
good, however what can you expect from a game that retails for
$19.99. In a strange way this racer is enjoyable in mostly
the multiplayer mode. If you enjoy racing games like I do,
it is a good game for the money.

This game is FUN if u like racing games.

This is the worst racing game I have ever played! graphic is poor; it is extremely hard to control and it is not realistic; it is more like the $.99 PC game I used to play when I was a kid.
Avoid.................

Having played many different Rally games this is one of the best. Not as good as RallySport, but very close. Great Graphics, nice car models and great game play. This is a must have if you like the sport of Rally, and even if you just like driving games.

Good Job!

the graphics of this game r very good, better than i expected. i felt hard to control the car at first but when i master it, it become fun to play. if u like racing games, this game is for u. the only negative thing of this game is the road is too narrow. so i hate to race with computer's control cars. becuz 4 cars always crashing each other. and i couldn't get through them. but other than this, everything is perfect.

If you are looking for a great racing/rally title for the Gameboy Advance, this would be it.

Unlike many GBA titles, V-Rally 3 does not make use of a flat, rotating 2D image. V-Rally 3 features one of the most advanced engines I have seen yet on the GBA. V-Rally's engine is in full 3D: vast hills, blind corners, jumps, bridges, and canyons that tower above you -- all at a peppy 30fps. Impress your friends.

This title also has gameplay too. Choose various production cars, sign contracts, win rallys, time trial, race other cars or go solo. With multiple cartridges, you can race your friends.

Between various events you will be given various weather conditions and road surface types. You are given the ability to select tires, change gearing, modify the suspension, etc.

Take that corner too hard? Crashed into the wall? Damage will add up, and you will be given a certain amount of time to repair various items between events. But be careful -- you may not be able to repair all of your damage at once if it becomes too severe.

This is one of the most impressive GBA games I have seen to date. Get your copy today!

This game is so cool. I have only played it once, and already I would like to purchase it. It has coloring, puzzling, and even adventures. The only time that I ave played was when I was going to a DNA lab, and I had my GBA, with a not-so-fun game, so somebody let me play The Wild Thornberry's Movie Game, and now I would like to purchase it, once again to say that.

I got this 2 months ago the object is to save the animals from the poachers you need to play 12 levels of action kinda neat in it you need to save animals the main menu is neat it has these 3 choices they are Game Settings Options: Sound FX (Donnie)Music (Boko)difficulty (gorilla) Load Game (Shaman) and New Game Options: Path A (Mini-Games) Path B (Story Mode) Path C (multi-Player Games) there are control Cheat Codes For Example press the A button to swing the elephants trunk the mini-games and multi-player games are especially great all though it would be better to play the multi-player games if I had a GBA link Cable
Enjoy the Product

This game is one of the worst ganes i have ever played in my life.You should play virtua tenis instead of this one. Dont vbuy this game because it sockks.

This is the easiest Tennis game available for GBA (even Snoopy is harder). I like it partly for the reason that I am 30 & can't win very many of these things anymore (including Snoopy Tennis). Mostly though, I like the graphics & game play. The players are kind of cartoony like a Mario game, but paradoxically the feel of this is more real & smooth, not herky jerky like the Davis Cup game. At the same time, there's the realism of having to win tournaments to improve your ranking, & the "characters" are real players who are mostly still around & doing well. Younger gamers (even boys) might like the stylistic portrayals of the players (they sure are cute), even though it's not much of a challenge.

this is a great paddle. It has good response, it's smooth, and it feels just right. Nothing could beat the Controller S, but this one can compete. It's a little bit small though.

this controller is great for young ones or if u want to have something small.it is still fun to play with.