Kiddie games aren't usually thought of as being robust. Kids certainly wouldn't use that word to describe their favorite virtual plaything. But that word is somewhat fitting to Shining Stars: Super Starcade, a kid-targeted mini-game collection for Nintendo DS. It looks like a Build-a-Bear knock-off (or Care Bears, if you're old enough to remember them), and could be written off as another one of "those" games. But while it features all the flaws you'd expect (it's a knock-off of other products, the mini-games are super repetitive, etc.), Shining Stars is slightly better than the average mini-game menagerie.
Gameplay: 6
Graphics: 4
Sound: 2
Difficulty: Easy
Concept: 3
Multiplayer: 5.5
Overall: 6.0
In the end, Shining Stars: Super Starcade is an overall average mini-game collection on the DS that scores a little bit of extra positive praise for being well representative of its brand. The game should earn some sales on its own merit, as said above, from parents whose kids are already established fans of the Shining Stars world. And from the fact that, at 20 bucks, it costs only a little more than what one more of the toys would go for anyway.
Presentation - 7.0
Graphics - 5.0
Sound - 5.5
Gameplay - 5.0
Lasting Appeal - 4.5
Overall -
Diehard GameFAN feel bad giving such a negative review to a bunch of stuffed animals. It's like punching out Barney the dinosaur only to have a room full of kids ask you "why?" The game is only 20 bucks, and you can probably have fun with it if you are the sort that enjoys mindless flash games or organizing your sock drawer.
The Final Rating: Pretty poor game.
