by Vinson Chen

Created on: August 19, 2009

Yoshi Touch & Go was a Nintendo-made game that was based on the original Yoshi's Island made for the Super Nintendo. However, instead of focusing on its story's gameplay like Yoshi's Island did, the game simply doles out mini-game type play to players that focus on using touch screen only gameplay. Unfortunately for Yoshi Touch & Go, it received significantly poorer scores from gaming reviewers than the original and successful Yoshi's Island.

Gameplay

As stated earlier, the gameplay involves touch screen of the Nintendo DS without the use of the buttons. The player moves around Yoshi and his baby Mario companion by drawing clouds with the stylus. The Yoshi automatically moves left or right depending on the clouds drawn out on the screen. This severely simplifies the game by reducing the actual player interaction with the enemies. The whole point of the game now falls to simply attempting new high scores on previously completed maps. Although an incredibly original game and the first of its kind in DS gaming, Yoshi Touch & Go simply does not make for an entertaining game.

Gaming Modes

There are four different modes available for play in Yoshi Touch & Go. They include Score Attack, Marathon Mode, Time Attack, and Challenge Mode. In Score Attack players attempt to collect 300 points worth in coins in order to pass the level. In Marathon mode players try to carry baby Mario as far as possible without being touched by an enemy. In Time Attack the players to knock down the Toadies that are carrying baby Luigi away by throwing eggs at the enemies with Yoshi. And finally, in Challenge Mode, players try to run away from Kamek the Magikoopa before their timer runs out. All in all, the four available modes of gameplay in Yoshi Touch & Go are unique in their own way, yet still the gameplay of drawing clouds and touching enemies to throw eggs is incredibly limited and dull.

Lasting Appeal

The only reason to play this game several times through is to attain new high scores on old maps and to obtain the other colored Yoshis by playing through the game. At first, the game seems somewhat entertaining due to its unique gameplay and incredibly nostalgic music, but the game still falls short of the original Yoshi's Island. After all, there really is no set story since players play through the story in each of the different modes. Over all, the game is does not deserve a second play through.

Finally, the game receives a 6/10 for its lack of story that the original Yoshi's Island had and for its repetitive gameplay. The only pluses are its great music and originality.

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