G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
© 2009 Electronic Arts, Inc.
If you're looking for a fast-paced shooter for 1-4 players, you'll find no surprises with G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra. We reviewed both the Xbox 360 and Nintendo DS versions and found the DS version to be more rigidly designed, with a top-down view of the maze-like levels. The console version, on the other hand, is rendered in beautiful 3D graphics which offers a richer experience (ratings apply to the DS version). Content for the console version includes 16 playable characters, vs. 11 for the Nintendo DS. The controls are easy to pick up and play and there's a versatile cast of characters, with a variety of weapons to blow up just about everything. Testers grew tired of the bird's eye view of the mazes in the DS version, however, and noted that the gameplay feels one-dimensional. Also, the meters for health and ammo could be clearer. The bottom line? The gameplay, while enjoyable, is not all that original; there are plenty of games that will offer similar experiences, likely for less than $60. Still, a game like this can certainly take the sting out of a long weekend, especially if you have some friends to share the fun. There's no formal educational value besides all the reading in the DS version. Visit www.gijoe.ea.com.
$30, Nintendo DS*, Xbox 360*, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PSP, Wii
Teaches: logic, spatial relations
CTR Rating: 86%