I Spy Review

Platform: Nintendo DS
ERSB: E for Everyone
Genre: puzzle
Number of Players: 1
Publisher: Scholastic
Official Website
Writer: Trina

Rating: 6.0

I Spy a difficult game to play

I Spy with my eye something that is small, for kids, and difficult to play. I Spy is a mystery game for children that can typically be found in a series of books. Children are given a bunch of images and then told to find specific items within the pictures. The Nintendo DS version holds true to the tradition of I Spy. On the touch screen of the DS, you are supposed to circle the items on the list as you find them. The items are listed in riddles.

Graphics:
The graphics are fitting for the game. I Spy doesn?t need extravagant graphics. I Spy needs really good pictures with all the items in them, which is what it has.

Controls:
The controls for I Spy are where the game falls flat. This is a game that is almost perfect for any age or gender. I Spy could be a perfect intro game for any young gamer, but the controls are maddening! I had an extremely difficult time circling items so that the game would recognize it. At times, I was pressing so hard with the stylus that I worried I might break the DS touch screen. Any young child – or adult – will run into the same problem and will probably also worry about breaking their DS. Other DS games that ask players to circle items are extremely responsive, so I know it can be done and is not a limitation of the DS.

Sound:
The sound consists of pleasant background music.

Flow:
The game itself flows well and has many levels for you to go through. There are also a variety of modes to try. In one mode you toss items into the circle of items that they belong in. Unfortunately the controls can break the flow of the game.

Fun Factor:
I Spy is an incredibly fun game, when you aren?t having control issues. The mini-games are great, and the riddles are very well done. As an adult, I found myself wanting to play more and more and find everything I could.

Female Aspect:
This game is excellent in that it has no gender bias or slant. It’s just a great game for anyone.

Replay Value:
There could be replay value in the mini-games.

I Spy could have scored higher and been a top-recommended game for anyone to play. But the controls are so frustrating that you may find yourself throwing the game and your DS. Until the controls are fixed, it’s only recommended to hard core lovers of I Spy games.