Update: November 9, 2005
NCS Synopsis: To engage groups of up to four players in assorted mini-games, D3 Publishers packs 40 multi-player games which star various polygon animals such as a fox, a rabbit, and a frog. Invariably of the button mashing type or simple timing + push button action, the mini-games require fast tapping and controller destroying smashing for successful completion. Although single gamers may play the games, every mini-game can accommodate parties of four. There's a little of everything to hold the interest of jaded gamers such as 100 Meter Dash / Shot Throw / Shooting Clay Pigeons / Dunk Shot / Swimming / Batting / Golf / Kite Flying / Goal Tending / Tug of War and many, many more. View the back cover and screenshots on the main NCS site. NCS Game Notes
* The first mini-game is a Taiko drum exercise where one simply has to follow what the drummer on the right is doing. Watch as he hits the top or the side of the drum with the drumsticks and then follow accordingly. * In the soccer ball kicking game, press the "X" to launch the ball between the barriers and run to the ball to collect and kick it again. * The stair climbing mini-game requires quick mashing of the "O" and "X" buttons together to rise up. Press improperly and your animal athlete will fall to the floor, face first, while emitting a painful squeak. There is a 99.99 time limit but you can spend an hour trying to get up the stairs if you wish since the game won't kick you out and there is no way to exit. * There is a mini-game where the player uses the L-Analog stick to rotate an animal quickly around a stake on the ground. Once dizzy enough, the stake will disappear and the goal is to maneuver the teetering animal (loss of balance from the rotating) through a course to reach the finish line. * In the basketball hoops shooting challenge, one has to hit the "O" button rapidly until the animal reaches the line drawn near the basket. Once at the line, hit the "X" button to perform a dunk. Falter in hitting the "O" button however and the ball will clank to the side of the basket instead of in it. Successful dunks will be congratulated with a "nice shootaw" sound bite from the female announcer. * In the normal game mode, tHe mini-games move along in rapid sequence and there are no retries or practice runs. Before each game, you may press the "TRIANGLE" button to view the rules and controls. * The new collection of mini-games are charming for the most part. Some are fairly difficult however - the tug of war challenge comes to mind. The controller cues scroll too quickly and if one cue is missed, the game won't register any button presses for a few seconds which eventually ruins the pace of the game.
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