My favorite game beginning with the letter "Y"

The second to the last entry will be featured today but if you missed the previous entry, "X", you can find it here: http://screwattack.com/node/25241

The letter "Y" is often associated with a certain Mario character so it should come as no surprise that one of his games makes it to this entry.

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One thing I want to get out of the way right now is that this game begins with "Y" and is Yoshi's Island DS. The original SNES game was titled Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island so it isn't qualified for the letter "Y" entry.

Yoshi's Island DS is simply a throwback to the SNES game with new levels and new kids to look after. The SNES game is often heralded as one of the best platformers on the SNES, often beating out the first Super Mario World due to how awesome the sequel was. The DS sequel is a great addition to the series and plays just as good as the original ever did but with new twists.

It's kind of ironic that the DS houses one of my favorite gaming designs and one of my most hated gaming designs. Yoshi's Island luckily utilizes my favorite with how it uses both screens to display the action of the game, rather than using one of the screens as a simple map or progression bar like NSMB did. What it doesn't do is make you control the character with the stylus which is one of my most hated gaming designs today.

A lot of complaints tend to center around these dual action screens, such as in Contra 4 or the Sonic Rush games, but I absolutely love having two screens to actively watch. It makes the game that much more interesting to play as you are constantly shifting your eyes to follow the action. It also allows for more creative design ideas in terms of levels and bosses. Some people say that the gap throws off the balance in the game but I never had that problem. Anticipation is key and it works here.

Another addition to this game from its SNES predecessor is the use of additional characters. This time around not only do you have a baby Mario to hear wail at you but you also get Baby Peach, Donkey Kong, and Wario. Baby Luigi is around but he is who you have to rescue. While the ear shattering wails of the baby returns in this game, each kid has unique powers such as Peach's ability to float and Donkey Kong's ability to climb vines. It really adds a lot to the game which makes it more enjoyable than simply having the dead weight that was baby Mario in the SNES game.

The same very kid-friendly art style makes a return to the DS which may turn off some people but the gameplay and level design is once again top notch. Both Yoshi's Island games have always had a good feel to them that made them that much more fun to play. Really the only thing missing from the game is the return of "Touch Fuzzy, Get Dizzy" effect which is sorely missed but can be lived without.

I really enjoyed the level design because they made me feel like I was a kid again playing the SNES version which is still one of my favorite games to this day.

Some people might state that the SNES game is much better than the DS sequel and they might be right. I can see where they are coming from without a doubt. However, Yoshi's Island DS is a great game that has a lot of throwbacks to the SNES version while adding some new elements to the play. Its fun levels and dual screen action is what makes Yoshi's Island DS my favorite game beginning with the letter "Y".