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Mere seconds into the DS adaptation of Pixar's latest visual marvel, I was looking for my copy of New Super Mario Bros. to put right back in. See, when I first unwrapped Cars, I was optimistic, thinking that it could possibly be a fun little racer like the kind I grew up with; R.C. Pro AM maybe, or even reminiscent of racers like Micro Machines. Heck, I'd settle for another Mario Kart clone.
As soon as the game fired up, I knew "none of the above" was my only choice. Where was the game? That was my first question. I wanted to race. I wanted to be one of the many charismatic characters Pixar created for the movie. I wanted the same level of ingenuity and technology-pushing visual quality. Of course I didn't expect the DS to keep up with Pixar's perpetually ground-breaking standards for realism, but it does a darn good job at using what 3D muscle it can muster to make character models and double-screen action clean and colorful.
The problem is that Cars is a small collection of mini-games that, for the most part, aren't worth the price of admission, especially since bigger collections such as Wario Ware have already perfected the mini-game genre. Even New Super Mario Bros. has mini-games, and recent hits such as Brain Age and Big Brain Academy make their mark by reinventing the mini-game. Had there been a solid racing mode with selectable cars and a robust engine, the inclusion of mini-games would be a nice bonus. As the main attraction, I can't help but feel a bit cheated, especially since the DS is capable of so much more.
There is a racing mini-game called the Piston Cup, where you utilize both screens to swerve in and out of traffic—very reminiscent of Spy Hunter without all the cool weapons. The bottom screen zooms in on the car and once you reach the top DS screen, the car shrinks to more of an overhead angle. I spent a lot of time straddling the line, which proved to be annoying. Two screens are fine, but leave the perspective the same on both, thankyouverymuch! Some of the other mini-games include: a tire stacking competition, a car jumping contest, fishing, a couple of other race modes (one where you race backwards), a rhythm game, and a "Simon Says" style game.
There is a wireless racing mode, but I wasn't able to test it out, and I doubt that it could save this game, especially since it is the same as the main single player racing mode. So there you have it. Cars is what it is: a collection of mini-games that neither excel nor set new standards. The 3D graphics are solid, but nothing compared to the film. Overall though, the problem is simply that the DS already has outdone everything Cars attempts to do.
Mario Kart DS is a better racer. Brain Age, Big Brain Academy, Wario Ware, Super Monkey Ball, New Super Mario Bros. and more (I'm sure I'm missing a lot of other GBA/DS games with fun mini-games) already have the mini-game avenue covered. If you're buying this for a little one, what I've mentioned above, plus the many other excellent DS games, such as Nintendogs, Super Princess Peach, etc., will fit the bill. But, should you have a Cars fanatic on your hands, this game will pass the time and provide 12 mini-games that do entertain. But then again, kids are also entertained by cardboard boxes, so take that as you will. As a package, there is little to recommend for anyone but the easily -- make that very easily -- amused.
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