Game Info

Developer : Ninai Games / Vasara Games / Fathammer

Publisher : Fathammer

GPS: No

 
Game Brief / Options

AngelFish: Pure 2D blasting fun in this vertical shoot-em-up, make you way through 5 levels of oncoming enemies. Little options to select from, though there are 3 difficulty levels to choose from.

Super Drop Mania: Simple puzzle game, by matching the falling blocks together will link them together, but only when they are hit by a matching coloured block with a star inside will they then disappear, simple idea but fun and addictive.

Stuntcar Extreme: 3D racing simulation on a series of stunt tracks, collect points and letters to earn extra points, compete in racing leagues for new cars.

Fact: These games are older than the Gizmondo name itself, originally being shown for the now defunct 'Gametrac' name back in early 2004.

 

  Screenshots

 
Graphics / Presentation

AngelFish: Nice hand drawn backgrounds scroll by smoothly as you would expect as this game never even uses the nvidia chip. That's not to say its always a bad thing, as sometimes its nice to have a change, but on the whole its pretty amateurish looking. Some of the sprites could have been a little better with a few jaggies looking obvious against the backdrop, same again could be said for the explosions, but if you like you games raw looking then it's not too bad, a little out of date maybe.

Super Drop Mania: Nothing amazing as you would expect from a puzzle game, but what it has is pretty nice looking, very colourful which always brings attention on itself, the rendered backgrounds look pretty nice and don't do anything to confuse the game-play as some puzzle games have done in the past. The board itself is nicely animated with a rocking effect causing motion sickness to the mildest of wooses! and the blocks spin, bounce and explode in a satisfying manner.

Stuntcar Extreme: Has been spruced up a little with the addition of the nvidia chip, the textures have been smoothed out and generally it runs faster than it ever would have. You could argue the other way the developers have had an age to get this game running even better than it does, the textures although smooth, constantly break up leaving black lines where the polygons meet up, also cars bounce and physically go through polygons on the track, which is pretty unacceptable and should have been sorted out before release.

  Video

None Available

 

Music

There is not a mp3 track currently available.

 

 
Music / Sound Effects

AngelFish: Not bad considering, there's some nice catchy tunes to be heard here. Effects are nice as well with a plethora of different explosion sound effects and metal clanging as you collect power-ups.

Super Drop Mania: Very cartoony music to match the colourful graphics, sounds very similar to the sort of music pumped out by Digital Illusions of Pinball Fantasies fame, which is funny when you think both developers are of Scandinavian origin. Effects are very nice with pops and boings sounding remotely like they have lifted out of a Super Mario game!

Stuntcar Extreme: Nothing to be overwhelmed about here, the music is some sort of shaft rip off, but ten times worse and is a disgrace to your ears. Effects aren't any better with engine noises really grating on your nerves, even effects like tyre screeches and gear shifts just sound poorly done and only serve to give this game a bigger slating.

 

Availability

Release UK : 19th March 2005 / £19.99

 

Release North America: Never had a US release.

 

 
Playability / Controls

AngelFish: This is one of the better games in this collection, the craft you control is pretty responsive allowing full movement of the playing area and nice easy controls with only 2 buttons being used (one main fire, the other used for smart bombs) and with dodging the massive amounts of bullets on screen the control system is certainly easy enough to do this.

Super Drop Mania: Plays as well as any good puzzle game would, its so simple anyone can get straight in and play, simply use the d-pad to move and one button to change the blocks you hold, then all is required is to press down to release its that simple.

Stuntcar Extreme: Plays like a very poor mans Stunt Car Racer, feels like you are controlling the vehicle by sitting on the roof, it lacks any excitement and real sense of speed and certainly won't make you return for long.

Marks For:
  • SDM is addictive.
  • Angelfish is a nice playable SEU.
Overall:

AngelFish: A nice little game, addictive and overall is a decent SEU, nothing amazing but has playability in abundance, worth a look. 6.5/10

Super Drop Mania: Currently the only puzzle game on the Gizmondo, so if you brain is suffering from lack of stimulation give this a shot. 7/10

Stuntcar Extreme: The first game ever seen running on a Gizmondo in early 2004, pity it turned out to be this shockingly bad! 3/10

Overall none of them are hardly 'classics' but its not a bad little pack if your after a puzzle game and a simple SEU, don't expect state of the art and you're have some old fashioned fun for a while, a little overpriced at £20 though.

Marks Against:
  • Aging titles.
  • Stuntcar Extreme!

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