Mister Slime Review

Nintendo released the DS promising innovation. Many games, including ones released by third parties, have delivered on that promise. Others have fallen way short using touch-screen controls even when it would be better to use the d-pad or face buttons, using the second screen for a map or throwing together a compilation of poorly designed mini-games. Mister Slime tries to stand out. Does it deliver the goods?

You play as Slimy, a gobble of goo that is capable of stretching long distances. Your goal in this platformer is to guide him throughout each level until you reach the end. Of course like other platformers you have to collect things along the way. The point of the game is to use Slimy’s body to maneuver through the levels while avoiding hazards and disposing of any bad guys (although you can avoid them too if you wish).

Unlike most other platformers, there is no jumping involved. Slimy gets around by grabbing on to pegs. In other words, he’s a good distance above ground and climbs around to get to where he wants to go. If you have ever played Donkey Kong King of Swing you have a good idea of what I am talking about. In order to move Slimy from peg to peg you have to grab onto his body and pull it to where a peg is located. To generate momentum forward you will have to release other pegs and shoot him forward.

Slimy has a few powers that help out. Like I mentioned before, he can spring forward. This ability can be used to reach otherwise inaccessible areas. It can also be used as a weapon against enemies by slamming into them. Unfortunately it is not as easy to do as you would think, often resulting in Slimy getting injured. Stretching his arm helps you swim through water sort of like a fish would with his fins. There also isn’t a map of the level, so it is quite easy to get lost.

I commend the developers at Lexis Numerique for trying something different. Mister Slime is a great concept that was executed poorly. Add to the fact that the graphics and sound quality are even subpar for Nintendo DS standards and you can see why I can not recommend this game to anyone. Even at a bargain bin price Mister Slime will fail to entertain you beyond the first few levels. After that there is very little that will keep you interested in playing.