Spider-Man 3 for Nintendo DS is a 2.5D platformer beat 'em up, with a sort-of open world element to it. Compared to Spider-Man 3 GBA, the game seems to follow the plot of the movie much closer. I noted that version as one of the best licensed games I've played on my journey, does the DS version hold up as much?

The game includes obligatory touch screen controls where you flick the stylus in different directions or patterns to attack enemies, while D-Pad or face buttons are used for moving around. I think the touch screen controls make this game far clunkier than they should be. Since the combat is fast paced, I end up swiping in different directions for attacks, making these encounters a war of attrition. The game does encourage mixing moves up to avoid repetition (and because enemies would block the same moves) but it's hard to strategize with these controls. The movement is also a bit clunky at first, but its easier to adjust since it's using buttons. I did note the controls in GBA version's review, but at least with that version, I can see mastery of the movement leading to satisfaction and potentially fun speedrunning. I can't really say the same for this version.

I noted earlier that there's an """open world""". Basically, the game's hub is segmented into multiple areas that you can visit and all of these operate in the same side-scrolling environment. As you progress, you unlock races and challenges based on previously beaten levels. There are also hidden collectibles for 100% completion, though they can also be found in regular levels. You can also do crime watches where you beat up bad guys or rescue civilians to normalize crime level. They're optional, but I didn't ignore them, as that wouldn't be very hero-like, as the game puts it. As for the normal levels, they are linear affair. All the objectives are pretty much the same. Beat bad guys, destroy stuff or rescue civilans. Maybe flip a switch to progress further. The level design is nothing to write home about most of the time. The bosses are a little more interesting, most of the time you can't take them head-on, you usually need to find a way to weaken them, then figure out a way to actually damage them, then it becomes routine.

As I said, the game is set in a 2.5D space, the graphics look decent and the perspective is used well enough. The cutscenes are presented in a newspaper article style with moving parts. The graphics themselves look GBA-like. Compared to the GBA version, there’s a bit more story going on. You won’t find Kingpin, but there is Dr. Curt Connors with his Lizard cosplay and detective Jean DeWolfe who asks us to do some chores due to the lack of man power. Yeah, sure. The music is ok. A few good tracks in there, but I didn’t think of It as anything special.

I should note in-game shop that uses hero points. You obtain them by simply hitting baddies and racking up combos, or completing missions, and finding collectibles. In this shop, you can unlock more combat moves and expand Spidey’s health bar. It’s not very difficult to gain enough hero points to get all of the moves and then some. After you beat the game, the cheats are unlocked which are also purchased with dollarydoos. And they’re surprisingly cheap, I had quite a bit of spare change, and still left with a bunch of points left. These range from actual cheats, like invulnerability and black suit always on, which normally requires you to fill the rage meter by beating up enemies and it depletes. There’s even a collectible which is normally obtained only if you have black suit on, so this cheat can aid in 100% completion. Others are cosmetic, like changing all of the city to night time or changing bottom screen’s BG. Lastly, there’s Robot Mode, which replaces all thugs with robots that beep and boop. I like silly cheats like that.

In the end though, I think Spider-Man 3 DS is a mid experience. The controls make this game more frustrating than engaging, perhaps they’re not really fit for a fast paced game like this. I do admire the game’s ambition, but I would rather go with GBA version, even if that version isn’t as content rich, at least it’s more functional and enjoyable. Sometimes, less is more.

Reviewed on Aug 05, 2023


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