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Yoshi Touch & Go Preview

Writer: Nick Schaedel » Blog
Posted: 1st Feb, 2005

Publisher: Nintendo
Website: http://www.nintendo.com.au One of the earliest and most basic demonstrations for the Nintendo DS system at E3 2004 was a little game called Balloon Trip. In it, players used the stylus to guide Baby Mario (who was falling towards the ground) through the air into coins while avoiding enemies. Who would have thought that Nintendo would transform such a simple concept into a full-blown game?

Balloon Trip has been revived as Yoshi Touch & Go. Not only that, but the original demo on contained half of the gameplay that you'll find in Touch & Go. Once you've safely manoeuvred Baby Mario to the back of Yoshi on the ground, the game will progress in a side-scrolling manner to the right until the end of the level. You'll use the stylus to draw paths and take out enemies on the way to the finish line>

In the first part of each level you're preventing Baby Mario's life-saving balloons from being burst by enemies and simultaneously guiding him towards coins. The two screens are essential for this game. You'll draw lines that will float up to the top screen and (hopefully) will carry Baby Mario to safety. You'll also draw circles around enemies to protect him. An enemy that gets surrounded by a tight enough circle not only makes it impossible for it to hurt Mario, but also nets him lots of coins.

Once you finally hit the ground, you'll gain control of Yoshi. The screen will constantly move across, as will the loveable green dinosaur. You'll draw cloud bridges to get him over chasms, protect him from enemies by circling them, collect coins, and fire eggs by tapping the screen. If you make it to the end without getting hit (once hit it's all over), you'll hand over Baby Mario to a stork who'll transport him to the next level. And then drop him.

The stylus and touchscreen are heavily used in the game. Put simply, the game could not be made for any other system. It needs two screens and the stylus. While in the first half of each level - the falling part - you'll drag lines with pinpoint accuracy - so if you fail to line up a path for the falling toddler, it's because of your bad drawing, not the game's recognition. It's kind of cool to see your lines floating up to the top screen.

The graphics look like they have been ripped straight from the SNES favourite Yoshi's Island. Of course, the SNES would have no chance at displaying all the detailed and colourful creatures and items floating on screen. Yoshi and his baby friend look great, as do the amazing backgrounds and worlds. The game really is a tribute to what the Nintendo DS can do.

There is also a two player multiplayer mode. The top screen on your DS shows what the other player is doing. Basically, you just race to the end of the ground portion of the race. But of course, you'll be competing against the other player. Yoshi (continued next page)