The Table Football League

A book by Chris d'Lacey

I’ve seen books about football (argh!) but this, a book about Subbuteo (table football), is something new.

Normally, if you see the words ‘football’ and ‘league’ on the cover of a book you should avoid it at all costs unless you are a boy whose main Christmas present request is a lock of hair from Ryan Giggs. Not this time.

Through the rich medley of humour, and... well, more humour, a wonderful plot sparkles. All the boys apparently hate but in fact adore the only girl in the league: Janice ‘Jumble’ Sale. This plot twist tangles the already funny mesh of the characters thoughts and feelings.

I would strongly recommend this book to girls and boys of around 8 to 12. And if they enjoy it, there are many other wonderful Chris d’Lacey books out there.

Enjoy!

My Score: 93%

Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 DS

Rayman without Rayman? On the DS? Argh!

Despite a complete lack of the title character, Rayman, this game proves funny and inventive without including anything that might be referred to as plot. ‘How?’ you may be asking... but only if you have never heard of the Rabbids. Many of the jokes are as flat as a piece of paper which has been sat on by an elephant with unlimited doughnut resources. But the appearance of the Rabbids is absolutely hilarious. Nobody under the age of thirteen could keep a straight face when the Rabbid restroom door creaks open.

OK. Funny. But what about the game? Is it good? Does it last? Sadly, no.

It is a collection of mini-games. It would take an experienced eleven-year old about an hour to get through 90% of the it but the remaining 10% is almost impossibly hard, which gives it a difficulty curve so jagged it is dangerous to touch.

In terms of graphics, this is a good game but Ubisoft could have done so much more with what they had available.

So... the verdict: I would recommend this game, but only to gamers who are good for their age and don’t mind trying to beat their scores again and again: everyone else I would warn to avoid it!

My score: For under 11s: 64% For over 11s: 86%
And for all the 11 year olds out there, make up your own mind

Super Mario Galaxy

When I heard there was a new Mario game coming out, I wasn’t surprised or excited in the least. When I heard it wasn’t a mini-game compilation, but a true Mario platformer, I was.

The game, as usual, starts with Princess Peach being kidnapped. But Boswer (the kidnapper, in case you hadn’t guessed) has obviously been thinking things over more carefully this time. He hasn’t before brought along a fleet of airships and a flying saucer.

Despite an incredibly dramatic start, the plot is negligible and at times (namely the trial galaxies) non-existent. So, the plot is rubbish. But what did you expect? It is a Mario game, and whatever you buy Mario games for, it is not plot. Despite this, it is a great game and, whilst I have so far been brooding over the bad points, I now have to stop because I’ve run out.

The gameplay is truly wonderful and, while still sticking with the old Mario basics, Nintendo have managed to incorporate the idea of changing gravity into their game without making it feel tacked-on and gimmicky, therefore adding a whole new dimension to the already unusual experience.

You may think that with this wonderful new development in the gameplay Nintendo may have neglected the graphics of their Mario extravaganza . Have they? No. It has the best graphics of all the Wii games and is one of the most stunning. Mario actually has expressions now – amazing .

The difficulty curve is very smooth and it is well within the reach of a child of 8 or more to beat the final boss. But nevertheless, an immense challenge to complete all the galaxies.
Now ( having rambled on so long) I will give you the verdict of this eleven year old: supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! So... go buy it!

My score: 96%