There isn’t a gaming experience that matches up to this. A once in a lifetime gift from Junichi Masuda and Game Freak. A battle of idealism and truth with some of the best cutscenes in any game I’ve experienced. N is a being that feels so untouchable and ethereal, with his game intro, battle music, and moments where his entire portrait consumes the DS screen. Unova really feels like you are traveling, that you’re making progress as a trainer, becoming closer to touching the concept of who N is. Ultimately realizing how alike you were in inferiority.

My DS nostalgia game. A refined 2D platforming experience that I enjoyed as a kid and love now. SSU is what video games should look and sound like to me. As glamorous as Great Cave’s Crystal Area and as foreign and euphoric as Milky Way Wishes’ Halfmoon. This game is ever so welcoming but rewards perseverance and practice like nothing similar I’ve experienced. The Arenas are difficult and I could not beat them by myself and although that makes me feel somewhat inept, the DS nostalgia in me is ecstatic to be able to give my DS to someone else and let them have a try too. SSU unites.