One of the best new features of the Nintendo DSi is the ability to go online and download exclusive new games to the system. While many of the current selection of titles are chopped up portions of existing games, demos really, there are a few quality titles. One of them comes from the 2D powerhouse, Wayforward Technologies titled "Mighty Flip Champs". A unique action-puzzle hybrid that takes full use of the DS system.
Graphically the game is pleasant but not mind blowing. The title is entirely 2D sprite based. Each level is a series of the same room, with each room featuring a geographical alteration of the last. Think of it like going between alternate dimensions of the same area. Each dimension is colored with its own specific hue. The characters animate well enough, with a particularly interesting bit of animation of hip swaying when the main character is climbing a fence or ladder. There is some small effects such as the wavy distortion of the upcoming room on the bottom screen and some nice background details. Nothing is here graphically that could not be done on a GBA, but at the same time its also so colorful and well done your not going to care in the least.
The music turned out to be a nice surprise. It really echoes the catchy midi beats of the bygone 8 and 16 bit eras. I am not sure who did the compositions, but they certainly seemed to channel the rhythmic techno glory of the super nes days when game music would remain playing in your head long after the power was turned off.
In the game you play as Alta, a girl who posses the warp wand. The warp wand allows Alta to travel between dimensions of a level to reach her goal. Which is to reach the fishman somewhere in each stage. Sometimes the goal is to simply reach fishman, other times you will have to collect other flip champ animal friends who are lost within the level before completing. Controls are pretty simple, you move left and right with the D-pad, any of the face buttons make Alta flip the level, and the touch screen can be used to write on upcoming dimension areas, giving yourself visual clues like "The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass". Each level has a timer and counter for how many times you use the warp wand. There is no time limit, but the amount of flips you take and the amount of time factor into your score at the end of the level. Each level has its own ranking system. Instead of boss stages, there are "?" stages at the end of each world. These stages will forcibly use the warp wand every few seconds, and you have no control over it yourself. These levels up the speed factor as you begin outrunning the warp wand so as not to get stuck in a wall and die.
As you progress through the game extra bits of gameplay are added in, such as color blocks and warp portals. The starting levels are pretty easy and do a lot to help ease the player into wrapping their head around the concept of the game. The levels then begin to ramp up with some added challenge, and by the end of the game you will be scratching your head around some incredibly fiendish puzzles. The real brilliance of the game is that the puzzles never appear to vague, though you will come to some levels with the initial thought of "How in the world am I supposed to get there?". Admittedly, the concept does run its course, and the game does wear out over a while. The beauty of the title though is that it is a DSi ware title, and it can be saved and beaten over a stretch of time anywhere you take the system. It does offer plenty of levels for a DSi ware title and the scoring system will make replaying it a factor for some. The title seems ripe for a sequel with even more great ideas waiting to be explored.
