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Sonic Team's Feel the Magic XX/XY was in the right place at the right times. System launches provide a unique opportunity for games to get exposure that they wouldn't otherwise. Feel the Magic was a stew of goofy mini-games that made the perfect showcase for Nintendo DS's novel touch screen and microphone inputs. Coupled with some very stylish silhouette-based visuals and a unique sense of humor, Feel the Magic managed to breakthrough to mainstream success. Hoping to continue their fledgling series, Sonic Team returns to the well for another round with a prequel, Rub Rabbits.
Love is in the air, as you take control of a nameless (and faceless) lad as he sets out to woo a silhouetted beauty, compete with rivals, and fend off the advances of a jealous neighbor girl turned mad scientist. The story, told through comic book-like still panels, sometimes teeters on coherence and serves mostly as a vehicle to set up Rub Rabbits' 38 mini-games. Expect to give your stylus (and occasionally your lungs) a work out fighting off robots, shooting down sky divers, and engaging in an epic battle of rock-paper-scissors between bouts of lovey-dovey silliness.
Perhaps the biggest flaw with Rub Rabbits is that it feels like such a retread. To be fair, it might just be the nature of the format. Most of the games in Rub Rabbits don't particularly resemble any of the segments in Feel the Magic but since it was always a variety pack to begin with, the flavor is much the same. While rival series Wario Ware was able to stave off feelings of déjà vu by offering new means of input, all the components of Rub Rabbits feel fundamentally the same.
Now, this doesn't mean that Rub Rabbits is useless. On the contrary, it's a worthy continuation of the original and as a prequel it serves as a great entry point for those new to the series. But for those hoping to feel the magic all over again, be warned that the novelty has worn a little thin. That isn't to say there's nothing new to be found. Rub Rabbits serves up a smattering of new 4 player mini-games. The wacky atmosphere and lack of real "rules" to its universe are perfect for some multiplayer fun, but don't expect this to be the next Super Monkey Ball. There's also a provocatively titled "baby making" mode that tests the romantic compatibility of two players by asking them to co-operatively cut a wedding cake. The resulting infant can then be saved, to be looked at later, or sent to play with other babies on other DS systems.
After completing the games in the main scenario, there are still plenty of goodies to motivate the diligent player. Completing various challenges, earning points, and discovering hidden "rabbits" in the cut-scenes will unlock various accessories for a sort of virtual Barbie-doll mode that allows you to create the silhouette of your dreams. Unfortunately, you won't see her in the main game, but she shows up when you challenge the individual stages in memories mode, and can be seen lounging around during mid-level "break time." A challenging "hard" mode and a frustrating "Hell" difficulty should also engross those looking for more of a challenge, and a goofy side-story involving a robot intent on wooing the evil genius girl from the main scenario rounds out a nice smattering of "extra" content.
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