Sushi, kimonos, giant battle robots... some things just scream Japan. That was the thought that came across my mind as I fired up my copy of “The Legendary Starfy” on my DS. Cutesy music immediately greeted me along with a full cast of undersea creatures sporting “chibi” faces, there was no escaping it. In fact, the little star-shaped prince from Pufftop was kept out of the United States for seven years, excluding minor appearances in games like “Super Smash Bros. Brawl” as a trophy, for that very reason – would American gamers be willing to try such a game?
I jumped at the chance to get my hands on a game whose online screenshots reminded me of my old Kirby games for Super Nintendo. The levels and enemies brought back plenty of memories of my favorite pink fluffball from Pop Star, and Starfy's end-of-the-level dance on a seashell certainly gives a nod back. However, Starfy doesn't split into three of himself, which never made sense to me. While the similarities are fairly unavoidable, Starfy can hold his own against his aquatic-themed enemies.
The story is presented in scenes like a comic book with panels of speech bubbles and sound effects written out. Starfy and his friend, Moe the clam, are literally attacked by a shadowy gang and are knocked into the sea where they meet the gang's real target – a spacesuit-wearing rabbit named Bunston. Bunston has lost his memory and has no information on his pursuers, but his memory reacts to a silver crystal shard – thus beginning the main quest of the game.
Most of “The Legendary Starfy” takes place underwater and the player controls Starfy using the directional pad. Gameplay is on the upper screen, while the touch screen can be set to different options such as a treasure finder, current key item collection or hints from the mermaid who saves your game. Starfy's main 'legendary' attack is the “Star Spin,” which can take down nearly anything in your path. However, doing a few in succession sends Starfy into a dizzy stupor for a couple of aggravating seconds. He also recieves special abilities after a few levels are cleared.
Levels are designed on a simple overworld map where secret areas appear as dark circles until they are unlocked in the main story. There are five or six levels in each location of the game that end with a boss battle, then Starfy heads to the next place a crystal shard has been sighted.
New side characters are introduced at each location and some inspire Bunston to create a new ability for Starfy. The two can combine powers and become a fire-breathing dragon or an ice-shooting seal. These could sound somewhat fearsome, but the sight of Starfy's face showing through the dragon's stomach is almost too much to take. Unfortunately, a dense, purple fog before each boss battle negates Bunston’s abilities.
Although gameplay is simplistic, it’s accompanied with a load of special features which can be accessed from the overworld map through “Moe's Chest.” There are five mini-games which can be played individually or through a local wireless connection. My favorite is a race against the timer to stack octopus dumplings. Another feature is the “Stuff” menu where Starfy and his sister Starly can be dressed in outfits found throughout the game in treasure chests. These outfits show up on the pause screen. Special combinations will unlock more options.
Soon after Starly’s early introduction, the option to play certain levels two-player is available. The game’s option allows a friend with or without the cartridge to play. Starly has her own set of abilities and can sometimes fit in areas Starfy cannot to find treasure or health items.
Though the extra features help, nothing about “The Legendary Starfy” is complex. The story isn't crucial to playing. If tons of blood, guts and gore are more your style and you don't think you can handle the cutesiness, Starfy probably isn't the game for you. Starfy is a great platformer that reminds me of simpler times, and it’s a great way to pass a bus ride or the time until the latest reality show is over and your mom, sister or girlfriend stops hogging the TV. It took a while for the “legend” to arrive in America, but I hope to see more of Starfy in the future.
Rating: B
Platform: Nintendo DS
Price: $34.99
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: TOSE
Players: 1-2
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