Girlie Gamer

As more time passes, video games become more mainstream and accepted as a valued form of entertainment. Since the dawn of video games, the gaming field has been created for the male gamer. Male designers, male programmers, and male artists would create games specifically for the younger male gamer. However, since games are in just about every living room across America, more and more females are playing games. It is rare, however, to see a game specifically targeted for younger females to be accepted and played by older male gamers. The Kim Possible series is one of the few who can pull off this feat. Although not as good as the GBA adventures, the DS game still has a few entertaining values that even male gamers can appreciate.

This game is a 2D side-scroller but built with a 3D engine. Everything is created with 3D models that run off a 2D plane. All aspects of the game are animated quite fluidly, including Kim?s animations, but some effects are a little on the plain side. The fire hazards are one such example. However, Kim?s games are built around performing simple but fun platforming feats, something every solid platformer needs. Double jumps, wall kicks, and several ways of attacking enemies are the basic necessities of any platformer.

Kim has all of these moves at her disposal. However, the transition between these moves is often stunted by a slight delay. Perhaps the reason why is through the use of the 3D character models as the GBA games run more fluidly thanks to 2D sprites. These slower transitions may seem like a minor flaw, but it becomes a problem when you sustain cheap hits and deaths because of it. Also, possibly due to the 3D models, hit detection is also a problem. Since most of Kim?s attacks require her being within close proximity of her enemies, she will often take damage when she shouldn?t. Sometimes attacks will not register, sending Kim?s combos to come up empty.

Most levels require Kim to reach the end of the stage by grabbing platform after platform. Unfortunately, while this worked in the GBA version thanks to more original level design, the DS version suffers. It seems like many of the game?s platforms are a bit over occurring and wind up becoming annoying and tedious. The game even breaks up from controlling Kim to controlling her little pet gerbil/hamster looking thing. These levels do break up the action, but they also suffer from a weaker level design ideal. The best level in the game has the player blow into the microphone to control Kim on her hang glider. The game should have had more levels like this, taking advantage of the DS?s hardware.

The game?s audio is also disappointing. Each stage is nothing more than typical and the lack of more voice work is insufficient. The sound quality might even be a slight downgrade from the GBA versions.

All gameplay takes place on the top screen while the bottom screen displays a list of items available for use. It is nice to see that Kim has a lot of items, like the returning grapple hook, but it is a shame that there wasn?t a little added to the combat. Fighting requires nothing more than button mashing, but even still, this is flawed with the wonky hit detection.

Another huge upset is the game?s replay value. The game can be beaten in messily two hours, and once completed, there is little reason to go back. Plus the lack of any type of multiplayer mode only brings disappointment to the overall experience.

A2M made some sweet GBA games using the Kim Possible license, but fails to deliver the same amount of quality in this DS game. All the basics are there, but the game needs a thorough ironing out because of the little flaws add up to one major let down. This game is really only worthy of a purchase if you see it in the $10 bargain bin and are a fan of the games on GBA. Since the game can be beaten so fast, it cannot be recommended for a purchase at full price. If you want to play a fun platformer aimed toward younger females but can be played by anyone of any age, play Kim Possible 2 for GBA.