Like many others out there, I’m quite fond of digging out an old classic to see how it has aged.  I was over the moon when Lucasarts announced that they were re-releasing The Secret of Monkey Island and despite Dragons Lair being a game that is pretty much one long quick time event, I have bought the game on several formats over the past few years.

It’s important to remember games from your childhood, in the same way it is important to listen to some classic songs you liked as a teenager. Hearing those songs can take you back to how you felt when you first heard them.

And in the same way, playing Another World on the iPad I was instantly transported back 1991 as it brought back memories of when I first played the game on my old Atari ST.

Taking control Professor Lester Knight Chaykin, the stories protagonist who does an experiment and finds himself transported to a strange and hazardous world, the game is essentially a platform action adventure.

At the time, the graphics and cinematic animation during the cutscenes were somewhat innovative and the game was seen as a benchmark both in terms of gameplay and visual presentation.

In this day and age, the game looks somewhat quaint.  However, bizarrely the minimalistic approach of the game means it has actually dated quite well and it retains a surprising amount of charm.

Needless to say, the touch screen controls don’t do the original game justice.  However, with a bit of perseverance you can slowly get the hang of it.

Overall, I’d recommend this to any retroheads out there who are looking for a slice of gaming history.  First timers might find themselves a little lost on first impressions, but this faithful adaptation should do fans of the original proud.

Verdict: 7 out of 10

It rarely happens though. Most of the time, when facing off against either the computer or a real opponent, my character is usually outclassed in every way possible and slumps to the ground in complete shame.

If we’re going from previous experience, the Street Fighter series is one of those that I should avoid like the plague. I didn’t get on with the first game on my old Atari ST, I was pretty appalling at the second one down the local arcades and I didn’t have the courage to play the third one until I saw it for sale in a bargain bin on the PSP.

As for the fourth game, it slipped by me. It was one of those games that I always thought I’d pick up one day, but I just never got round to it. It also didn’t help that Capdom decided to release another version of the game with more characters and bells and whistles shortly after.

But my mind changed when I got my Nintendo 3DS – it seemed like a no brainer that I should get Street Fighter 4 3D edition to go with it.

In my opinion, the very nature of Street Fighter makes it the perfect hand held game. The plot is nonsensical and the fast paced fighting gives the game that instant pick up and play quality.

With the simple controls the game is as welcoming as you could hope for, making fans of the previous games and newcomers to the series instantly familiar. It’s not all perfect though – using the L and R buttons to perform special moves is a bit of pain.

However, to compensate this, players can set up to four hotkeys on the touchscreen for moves and combos. To enable them, you simply have to tap them and your character will perform a killer move. Needless to say, on the Pro setting this option is removed.

Visually, the game is quite strong and by now it is sure to be a show piece for many Nintendo 3DS owners out there.

The developers have clearly cottoned onto this and have included an option to play the game from an over the shoulder perspective. While it looks great, especially in 3D, I couldn’t get used to it and quickly returned to the traditional view.

Aside from the standard Arcade mode, players also have the option to play online and against other Street Fighter IV players locally.

Overall, it’s a pretty solid fighting package and while I am still as useless at it as I was when I played the original game back in the late 80s, I’d still recommend picking this one up.

Verdict: 9 out of 10

Lego Ninjago The Videogame - Nintendo DS

Based on the popular Lego series Ninjago, the game features a mixture of elements from both the traditional Lego games and the more strategy based Battle series.

A real-time strategy game, Lego Battles Ninjago tells the story of an epic battle between the Spinjitzu heroes and their arch enemies, the Skulkin.

Aside from the comical cut-scenes which are almost a Lego trademark, the game is presented in an isometric view – something that sets it apart from the likes of Lego Star Wars and Lego Batman.

As far as the plot goes, Sensei Wu is training a bunch the young warriors – Zane, Cole and Jay – in preparation for an upcoming battle against the Skulkin. The Skulkin are basically a bunch of skeletons intent on picking on villagers.

Visually the game is far less than pleasing when compared to the other Lego games out there on the market. The graphics are pretty basic and look pretty dated. In fact, they wouldn’t look out of place on an old mobile phone – we’re talking pre-smart phone days!

Having said that, the presentation of the game is pretty simple and clearly designed for the younger gamer.

Controlling the Spinjitzu Ninja’s couldn’t be easier – it’s basically a case of high lighting the warrior you wish to move and then tapping the area you’d like him to be in. If you want to move the group, you simply draw a square around them all and it will select all of them. It pretty much the same should you wish to have them attack as well – just select the relevant icon.

Unfortunately, the game does have its draw backs and one of the main ones is the fact that at times, you will not have a clue where you should be heading. The top screen is wisely used as a map, but sadly you cannot see exactly where you should be heading and this usually ends up with your warriors facing a brick wall just before they get to their desired destination.

After the initial levels, the gamer is presented with a hub that opens up a few more options.

Firstly, there’s the shop – a place where you can spend all those Lego studs you collect. There’s also a section that allows you to alter the settings of the game and an area that allows you to view your progress.

The game also allows you to play in 2 different modes – story or battle mode. Unfortunately, the battlemode isn’t very involving and I found myself going back to the story mode.

Lego Ninjago Battles isn’t a game for everyone. As mentioned earlier, it is clearly designed for the younger market meaning that there is very little here for older gamers to sink their teeth into. Whilst I would recommend it for kids that are looking to try something different, the older gamers may want to dig out another real-time based strategy.

Verdict: 6.5 out of 10

The Good
ideal for kids
simple presentation

The Bad
Not much for adults
Doesn’t look great

Super Monkey Ball 3D - Nintendo 3DS

Featuring 3 different modes – Monkey Ball, Monkey Race and Monkey Fight, you’d think Super Monkey Ball 3D would offer a substantial package to keep the average gamer busy for weeks. Sadly, that’s not the case.

If you’re not familiar with the decade-old series, the traditional aim of the game is to steer your simian in a sphere through a variety of maze-like courses, collecting as many bananas as you can before reaching your destination.

To make things complicated, you have to navigate your ball-encased chimp within a set time limit, while avoiding various obstacles that could push you off the edge.

The Monkey Ball mode gives you the option to play with two different control types – either with the motion sensors or with the circle pad.

While the motion sensor option gives the best gaming experience, it does mean that you have to switch the 3D off. The fact that you have to tilt the console to move your monkey means the 3D effect is lost. So if you wish to experience the Monkey Ball mode in Super Monkey Ball 3D, you have to play the game with the circle pad.

Easily the best mode available, it is sadly lacking in any real challenge. The other two modes available aren’t really much to shout about either.

The racing mode, while doing it’s best to ape Mario Kart, is just not to up to scratch – marred by unresponsive controls and some pretty lacklustre track design, you never get comfortable with your kart and as a result you find yourself racing the tracks relying on memory, and not reactions.

As for the fighting mode, it’s just a complete mess and most certainly not worth your time. Again, this mode tries to copy its competitors, and proves itself to be a weak imitation.

Visually the game does its job quite well, giving everything a quirky nature. As mentioned earlier, it generally works better with the 3D turned down slightly, as everything looks a bit softer on the eye. During the faster segments, such as the races, the 3D effect can give the game a cluttered feeling.

Overall, Super Monkey Ball 3D is a bit of a let down. It’s light on content and the modes that are on offer are lacking in depth. Out of the three modes only one is worth checking out – and it’s not even that challenging.

Verdict: 5 out of 10

The Good:
Nice presentation
Monkey Ball mode is fun

The Bad:
Race and fight modes feel like fillers
3D can be a bit much