GAME
Nanostray

Format: Nintendo DS
Majesco Entertainment
£24.99

4 005209 072557
Age Restrictions: 3+
Available
10 February 2006


Slowly awakening from a blast to the side of your ship, your memory is jumbled and you can't remember what just happened or what you're doing in this sector. Instinctively, you check your console; a destination is still plugged in. You must take action; the enemy is starting to swarm..
.

Nanostray is a 3D shooter designed exclusively for the Nintendo DS. Supporting touch screen input, network play and dual screen support, this title includes unlockable features and game modes to add re-playability once players complete their campaign.

In short, Nanostray is an old school game on a new console. Hmm, the jury's still out on whether that this is an inspired move, or just incredibly stupid. While anyone who was a child of the '80s will probably lap this up in a wave of nostalgia, I doubt it will hold much appeal to today's younger generation.

It's all very simple. You fly through the levels shooting the enemy with your various weapons and after a bit you progress to the next level. There, it's not rocket science is it? Oh, I suppose it is, kind of.

The lack of any real story is a bit of a sticking point and to be honest this is just an incredibly beautiful version of one of the hundreds of mini potable gaming machines you can pick up from most £1 shops - you know the ones I mean. The ones with blocky graphics and terrible '80s beeping every time you fire a missile.

You can play 2-player co-op and head-to-head missions using the Nintendo DS's wireless functional. And there is even an online ranking system where you can post your high score so that others from around the world can see what a god you really are.

At the end of the day there's little, if any, real originality here... but, for some unfathomable reason, if you are in your 30's you'll keep being drawn back to this game time and time again. But in truth it's probably not worth splashing out £25 for.

Nick Smithson

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£19.99 (Amazon.co.uk)

   

£17.99 (Blahdvd.com)
   
£21.95 (Foxy.co.uk)
   
£24.99 (Gameseek.co.uk)

All prices correct at time of going to press.