Gamertell Review: 101-in-1 Explosive Megamix for DS

Title: 101-in-1 Explosive Megamix
Price: $19.99
System(s): DS
Release Date: April 21, 2009
Publisher (Developer): Atlus (Nordcurrent)
ESRB Rating: “Everyone” for Comic Mischief and Cartoon Violence
Pros: You get 101 games for $20. Some games have the potential to be fun and/or addictive.
Cons: Only 10 games available initially. Some games are dull and/or difficult to beat. The games aren’t organized into sections and genres.
Overall Score: One thumb up and one thumb down, 77/100, C+, * * 1/2 out of 5

Since the DS is one of the more accessible video game systems on the market, it has become home to a plethora of mini-game collections. Typically, these games include between 10 and 30 minigames from all different genres for players to enjoy. Occasionally, they’re shovelware. Touchmaster and Touchmaster 2 are examples of some of the better and well received collections.

Atlus has decided to enter the ring with Nordcurrent’s massive 101-in-1 Explosive Megamix, a gigantic minigame collection that boasts 101 minigames, all of which with touch screen support. Unfortunately, you need to unlock almost all of the minigames, there controls can be finicky and there’s no organization what-so-ever.

101 possibilities to play.

101-in-1 Explosive Megamix is a pretty basic game. There are 101 games included in the collection, with 10 available initially. Everything uses touch screen controls. You swipe left or right to bring the minigame’s icon to the center of the screen. Little icons at the bottom let you check instructions or begin playing the game.

Each game has a target score. The first 10 games all have a target score of 4,000 points. If you pass the game, you receive coins that you can use to purchase/unlock more games. If you play again and pass your top score, you get more coins.

101-in-1 Explosive Megamix* (* 10 available, earn the other 91)

My main issue with 101-in-1 Explosive Megamix is an issue I have with many games and minigame collections – unlocking. 101-in-1 Explosive Megamix has a bit of replay value, but only because you have to keep playing and replaying the game if you want access to all of the games. It feels like false advertising when a game claims to have so many minigames included, then makes you jump through hoops to access all of them. It was like I was playing Family Party: 30 Great Games (Wii) all over again, expecting 30 games and only having about half available at the start.

There’s also very little organization. All the games are accessible from the main menu, and you have to slide left or right to search for the one you want. They aren’t organized by genre, cost or even difficulty. It’s very cumbersome, and it can take quite a while to scroll to the game you want to play.

Despite all that, it does offer everything it promises. There are 101 games included in 101-in-1 Explosive Megamix and quite a few of them are entertaining. Since it is a budget title, it does make sense to pick this up as a casual game to play for a few minutes if you’re bored and don’t want to get drawn into a deeper or longer game.

Slightly better than the standard budget mini-game collections.

If you’re a casual game fan who enjoyed Midway’s Touchmaster games, then by all means pick up 101-in-1 Explosive Megamix. It offers a wide variety of minigames that motivates you to play, and keep playing, by rewarding high scores with coins that can unlock more games. It suffers from some bad organization, but is still better than the majority of minigame collections released for the DS. Some games are hits and others are misses, but with 101 there’s sure to be at least 10 that you’ll enjoy.

However, I’d recommend 101-in-1 Explosive Megamix for older gamers, not children. Kids may be disappointed by the fact that only 10 games are available at the start, and not have the patience to read the directions (a necessity at times) or unlock the other games.

Site [101-in-1 Explosive Megamix]