Disney’s Bolt

Disney’s Bolt

Hollywood sheen gives this likeable mutt more than enough charisma for a Nintendo DS triumph.

Bolt on DS captures the spirit of this week’s blockbuster with plenty in reserve. This is also true of the PlayStation 3 version, which we enjoyed last week, but believe it or not the DS handles it all so much better. Visually it’s nowhere near, but in terms of gameplay and long-term appeal there’s no contest.

As with all Bolt games released to coincide with the film, the DS edition gives you starring roles as either Bolt or his best friend Penny in the lively Bolt television show. The duo make like special agents on a mission to rescue Penny’s scientist father from the clutches of evil entrepreneur Calico. Their missions take them around the world, stopping at Italy, Oceania, Belize, Russia and China and there are 25 in all. For a DS action game you get a lot of hours for your money in single-player mode.

One of our complaints with the PS3 version is that Bolt, because he’s so tiny, was often lost in the action. But on DS he’s always nice and big on screen, and fun to control using the mic to blow into for a Sonic Bark, tapping his back using the stylus to trigger invulnerability or drawing a line to unleash laser vision! Similarly Penny can stun her foes using a smoke bomb via the mic, or spin attack by tapping her head.

With Bolt on screen you’re guaranteed non-stop action, head-butting Calico’s guards into a daze while searching for switches and so on. Penny plays things slightly more strategically however, and uses her wheelbar gadget to slide along balconies or zoom between walls onto rooftops. There are also computer-hacking mini-games for Penny to complete that open electronic doors or disable security devices.

The one-player game has good pace and a decent narrative with a pleasant line in humour. But Disney goes the extra mile by offering some entertaining mini-games outside of the main adventure, such as a Hamster Ball rolling game (a la iPhone Monkey Ball) and a two-player battle arena allowing kids to team up via Wi-Fi.

There are areas in which Bolt for DS isn’t quite perfect – the camera angles can be obtrusive for one thing. However as an all-round celebration of a successful new hero it couldn’t have panned out much better we feel. You’ll have fun.

4 out of 5