Gamertell

Title: Ninjatown
Price: $29.99
System(s): Nintendo DS
Release Date: October 28, 2008
Publisher (Developer): SouthPeak Games (Venan Entertainment and Cashmere Productions)
ESRB Rating: “Everyone” for Crude Humor and Mild Cartoon Violence
Pros: Incredibly clever writer, unique art style, great game-play, wonderful characters and lots of options to win each level. Also it comes with a Ninjatown window cling!
Cons: Later levels can get challenging and Master Ninja microphone activated powers are annoying.
Overall Score: Two thumbs up, 95/100, A, **** 1/2 out of 5

I can’t get enough of Ninjatown. Even when I had to replay “The Loop” level in the Business District three times, because the various business devils kept speeding through my defenses, I still couldn’t bring myself to get annoyed with this incredibly charming and funny tower-defense strategic RPG based on the Shawnimal toys.

Ninjatown may not be perfect, but it sure comes close. It is delightfully challenging, has a clever script, adorable characters, lots of unit options and special abilities which can single-handedly turn the tides of battle. If it weren’t for the occasionally frustrating Ol’ Master Ninja powers, Ninjatown would easily have earned a perfect score.

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In the great internet debate of pirates vs. ninjas, pirates just got a little boost. 1up has a very funny little feature on the 5 worst ninja games ever made, calling out everything from the abysmal PS1 title Ninja to last year’s butt-of-every-Wii-joke Ninjabreadman. As much as lists can be a little cliched, this one is dead on, poking fun at one of gaming’s most ubiquitous figures (next to the zombie and the space marine, of course).

I have to say I agree with every choice, including the semi-ballsy move of putting classic NES pain simulator Ninja Gaiden high on the list. Cheap games are not fun, people.

Read [1up]

• Jeff Green leaves 1Up
• Gamertell Review: Ninjatown for DS
• Big ol’ list of Trophies for Resistance 2

Gaia Online has announced its first virtual water balloon fight with millions of teens and gamers online starting August 27, 2007. I should know since I’m also a Gaian and I’ve been stocking up on virtual water balloons since the event was announced several weeks ago. There’s nothing more dangerous than a ninja loaded with water balloons. And what better way to celebrate the summer festival than with a big fat water balloon and thousands of victims ... er ... Gaians online.

Over the years, the Gaia community has grown from a small avatar community to a site with tons of games, puzzles, online comics, movies and more for memebers to enjoy. Chat with people in the towns, purchase clothes, homes, furniture and cars for your avatar. They are steadily creating the ultimate hang out…

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