This Game is Sickeningly Cute <3 [A Review on Yoshi's Island for Gameboy Advance]
All right, I first played Yoshi's Island when it came out on the SNES, back in the day when I was like ... twelve. Or something. I forget. Anyway, as a kid, I didn't really think the game lived up to the standards that was a "Super Mario Bros." game, and traded it in at the local Microplay.
Needless to say, I regretted the decision later in life. When I found out Nintendo rereleased the game, I decided to pick it up. Boy, am I glad I did!
Plot [5/10]:
Okay, so Mr. Miyamoto is a fan of using fairytales and mythilogical stories for the basis of many of his games. I'm not sure if Yoshi's Island was a product of this inspiration, but I do know that it has been done before. Also, the continuity errors between SMW and YI could have been done without. Sure, the idea of revisiting Yoshi's Island was a good one, but the fact that Mario and Luigi end up there as kids, then visit the island again as adults, to "Discover the Yoshi's for the very first time" is ... well ... Blarg. I don't know how else to say it.
Also, Kamek's dialogue seems stiff and contrived at points. I had a really hard time imagining him calling Yoshi "Baby".
Gameplay [9/10]:
The controls for this game are actually quite nice. The only problem I had was making Yoshi glide in the air repeatedly at some points. I don't know if it was me or the engines I played them on, but I had a harder time doing the gliding on my GBA, than I did on my Gameboy Player.
Graphics [10/10]:
I hate playing videogames based on their graphics, but I do have to take note on YI's colourful look and the use of 2D sprites interacting with 3D objects, such as the spinning wood beams/floors, and many of the bosses. Also, I just adore the backgrounds in this game - especially the ones for World 1. The art designers of Yoshi's Island seriously put in a lot of effort to create a bright, beautiful world full of colour and detail, as oppose to Super Mario World, where a lot of the surfaces and backgrounds were quite bland-looking.
Soundtrack [7/10]:
Music and sound can be the maker or breaker in many cases. I've read a lot of reviews where people have said they can't stand the game, or have to put it on mute, all because the soundtrack can be so annoying.
Yoshi's Island has many memorable songs in it, but there should have been more, not just repeating the same ten tracks over and over. Also, the soundclip for Yoshi transforming seemed out of place.
As many of you know, the GBA ports of Super Mario Bros. games have had voiceclips added to them - and personally, I feel it was a mistake to do so - but the voiceclips for Yoshi's Island are a breath of fresh air, and add a considerable amount of cuteness to the game. I love the sounds Shyguys make - whether they're popping out of pipes, or laughing at you - and Mario's crying isn't as annoying as it was in the SNES version.
Difficulty [9.5/10]:
I don't know if Nintendo changed the difficulty setting on Yoshi's Island for the GBA, but I remember the SNES version being considerably harder. Maybe it was just because I was a kid...
Anyway, I'm a big fan of games that are a challenge, but aren't stupidly hard (coughcoughMetroidFusioncoughcough).
If you're new to gaming, or don't have much time and want something fun and easy to play, Yoshi's Island is for you.
Fun Factor [9.5]:
I had a lot of fun playing this game. There were a few instances where I did get frustrated, but that's to come with any game. I will say this ... with levels where the screen is auto-scrolling, or there are falling platforms, or both - relax, play through the level as best you can, and if you lose, turn the game off, take a deep breath, and come back to it later. You need to have a clear and calm mind to beat levels like those.
Replayability [3/10]
There's a lot of junk to go back and collect, so if you're a perfectionist, you'll love this game. If you're like me and want to blast through a game as fast as possible, and don't care about getting all the extra stuff, you may not get much after beating this game. Sure, it's fun to go back and replay your favourite levels, but other than that, there's no reason to replay this game from start to finish.
Rent/Buy/Disown:
If you're a collection geek, like me, and must own every game in the series, obviously buy. The same goes for if you're a parent and looking for a low-difficulty game with good, clean fun for your kid.
Otherwise, rent this game. I don't know your gaming tastes obviously, and the fact that you play as Yoshi, Mario and Bowser are babies, and the game is quick and easy may be a complete turn off.
Overall Score [9/10]:
There are a few things that could have been better, such as the handling between the Gameboy Advance and the Gameboy Player, and some of the music, but overall, Yoshi's Island is a barrel of fun.
Needless to say, I regretted the decision later in life. When I found out Nintendo rereleased the game, I decided to pick it up. Boy, am I glad I did!
Plot [5/10]:
Okay, so Mr. Miyamoto is a fan of using fairytales and mythilogical stories for the basis of many of his games. I'm not sure if Yoshi's Island was a product of this inspiration, but I do know that it has been done before. Also, the continuity errors between SMW and YI could have been done without. Sure, the idea of revisiting Yoshi's Island was a good one, but the fact that Mario and Luigi end up there as kids, then visit the island again as adults, to "Discover the Yoshi's for the very first time" is ... well ... Blarg. I don't know how else to say it.
Also, Kamek's dialogue seems stiff and contrived at points. I had a really hard time imagining him calling Yoshi "Baby".
Gameplay [9/10]:
The controls for this game are actually quite nice. The only problem I had was making Yoshi glide in the air repeatedly at some points. I don't know if it was me or the engines I played them on, but I had a harder time doing the gliding on my GBA, than I did on my Gameboy Player.
Graphics [10/10]:
I hate playing videogames based on their graphics, but I do have to take note on YI's colourful look and the use of 2D sprites interacting with 3D objects, such as the spinning wood beams/floors, and many of the bosses. Also, I just adore the backgrounds in this game - especially the ones for World 1. The art designers of Yoshi's Island seriously put in a lot of effort to create a bright, beautiful world full of colour and detail, as oppose to Super Mario World, where a lot of the surfaces and backgrounds were quite bland-looking.
Soundtrack [7/10]:
Music and sound can be the maker or breaker in many cases. I've read a lot of reviews where people have said they can't stand the game, or have to put it on mute, all because the soundtrack can be so annoying.
Yoshi's Island has many memorable songs in it, but there should have been more, not just repeating the same ten tracks over and over. Also, the soundclip for Yoshi transforming seemed out of place.
As many of you know, the GBA ports of Super Mario Bros. games have had voiceclips added to them - and personally, I feel it was a mistake to do so - but the voiceclips for Yoshi's Island are a breath of fresh air, and add a considerable amount of cuteness to the game. I love the sounds Shyguys make - whether they're popping out of pipes, or laughing at you - and Mario's crying isn't as annoying as it was in the SNES version.
Difficulty [9.5/10]:
I don't know if Nintendo changed the difficulty setting on Yoshi's Island for the GBA, but I remember the SNES version being considerably harder. Maybe it was just because I was a kid...
Anyway, I'm a big fan of games that are a challenge, but aren't stupidly hard (coughcoughMetroidFusioncoughcough).
If you're new to gaming, or don't have much time and want something fun and easy to play, Yoshi's Island is for you.
Fun Factor [9.5]:
I had a lot of fun playing this game. There were a few instances where I did get frustrated, but that's to come with any game. I will say this ... with levels where the screen is auto-scrolling, or there are falling platforms, or both - relax, play through the level as best you can, and if you lose, turn the game off, take a deep breath, and come back to it later. You need to have a clear and calm mind to beat levels like those.
Replayability [3/10]
There's a lot of junk to go back and collect, so if you're a perfectionist, you'll love this game. If you're like me and want to blast through a game as fast as possible, and don't care about getting all the extra stuff, you may not get much after beating this game. Sure, it's fun to go back and replay your favourite levels, but other than that, there's no reason to replay this game from start to finish.
Rent/Buy/Disown:
If you're a collection geek, like me, and must own every game in the series, obviously buy. The same goes for if you're a parent and looking for a low-difficulty game with good, clean fun for your kid.
Otherwise, rent this game. I don't know your gaming tastes obviously, and the fact that you play as Yoshi, Mario and Bowser are babies, and the game is quick and easy may be a complete turn off.
Overall Score [9/10]:
There are a few things that could have been better, such as the handling between the Gameboy Advance and the Gameboy Player, and some of the music, but overall, Yoshi's Island is a barrel of fun.