Developed by: Rare Published by: Nintendo Official website Genre: Action - Adventure Number of Players: 1-4 ESRB: Teen 9 Graphics:....................9/10 Sound:.........................10/10 Documentation:.........9/10 Getting Started:.........9/10 Gameplay:..................10/10 Value:..........................9/10 The Good Press: Amazing sound, fun gameplay, great graphics, crazy, big bosses--everything you could want in a Nintendo game. The Bad Press: "Is this the way I came in?" Supports: Rumble Pak

Pure Nintendo fun.

I had the opportunity to check out Jet Force Gemini two times before I got my review copy. Once at an in hotel meeting with Nintendo and the second at a press party celebrating its release. Each of those two times I thought to myself-So? Then I got my copy and I realized the answer-Wow! JFG is too much fun. The Nintendo sensibility is merged with a smart, fun shoot 'em up with tons of tough, diverse puzzles.

The story goes as follows: Cute, fuzzy civilization of Tribals is invaded by big bugs, (who are kinda cute too). Enter The Jet Force Gemini, a crack team of space-heroes dedicated to ridding the universe of evil (insert theme music here). The Force is made up of: Juno, the imperiled hero, who had the misfortune of watching his parents killed before his eyes by space pirates; Vela, his trusty twin sister whose aquatic ability and high pitched grunts make her a blast to play, as well as Lupus, their loyal rocket-powered dog. Together they are-(insert theme music here, again) The Jet Force Gemini. They are joined later in the game by Floyd the robot, to complete the team.

Through out the game you have the opportunity to play as each one of the characters, with each having special abilities as well as being able to access areas that the others can not. All three are trying to make their way to Mizar's palace, (Mizar being the giant bug who commands the invasion) for the final confrontation, while freeing the enslaved Tribals along the way. The Tribals crack me up. They are a cross between Ewoks, Furbies, Magwai and any other cute and fuzzy movie character you can think of. Every time you encounter them they let out this little high-pitched-gurgle-squeal that makes me smile each time I hear it.

The Drone Raiders are the main source of trauma for the little Tribals. There is nothing more satisfying then ripping through those gun toting ants with your machine gun. They splat with a delicious sound and squirt green bug juice every where, and at times even attract flies. The AI in this game is amazing. The bugs run, hide and learn your shooting style. If you stand and unleash a slew of bullets they will learn and run away. Some bugs have shields and use them well. They really pose a good challenge.

Technically, JFG is stunning. The graphics are some of the best I have ever seen on the N64, even without the Expansion Pak. The lighting effects are too cool. You even have the option of viewing the game in widescreen mode. I am not sure why but I chose that mode. It just sort of makes it seem more cinematic. The sound is by far the best I have ever heard on the N64. It is Dolby Surround compatible and if you have the system to support it, it really makes a difference. Floyd's propeller chops through the air like a copter coming in for a landing. Footsteps in water plink, plink , plink in a clear and distinct way, drawing you more and more into the game. I just can' t say enough about the sound.

The gameplay rocks as well. Each level poses more and more puzzles that are diverse and reasonably difficult. Each time I entered a new room I came in with mild trepidation, cautiously scanning for bugs from above, below and in the corners. It isn't just blind shooting either. There's a plot, and new and exciting characters to meet and random tasks to perform (such as finding some fuzzy guy's thermal underwear). The dialogue is cheesy as is the case in these types of games, but it was self-aware and occasionally actually funny. The bosses, oh the bosses-they're huge. Giant, ugly, bugs-everything you could want in a bug boss. They are all designed well and much scarier than the drones. Each boss can be defeated only after a multitude of weaknesses are found. You couldn't just take out your rocket launcher and blast till they popped. (Which I tried to do several times.) I was satisfied with every aspect of this game except one.

The main problem I had was this: "Wait a second--is this the way I came?" or "Have I been here before?" or "Is this a new door or one I've been through?" I cannot count the amount of times those phrases or ones like it floated through my mind. The level design is just too puzzling. Each level has a distinct feel to it and they are huge, but at the expensive of confusing the bejesus out of me. Twists and turns are great and all but it was too labyrinthine at times. I thought the level design could have been a little more intuitive. I understand that it was supposed to be like that to a degree, and I'm not asking for arrows or anything, but boy do I hate running around in circles.

I guess I should mention the multiplayer aspect of the game too. But truthfully I couldn't care less about it. I mean, how many games do we need to have that you can shoot each other in? This is not Quake; this is a different game with a totally different feel. Why does there have to be that option? It doesn't bring anything new to the genre. It's not even that exciting. It just seems like a waste of memory to me. But not the cooperative play, that's awesome.

When you assemble Floyd, your robot, later in the game you are given the option of having a friend control him with the second controller. He can't die and he only has one weapon, but it's still fun. You and a friend can fight bugs together. Floyd has his own aiming site, which can be annoying till you get used to whose site is whose, but it sure helps to kill. I had some good times with my buddies screaming orders and cutting down bugs.

Overall, this game does not disappoint and neither does Rare. They consistently put out quality titles. I can't even begin to think how cool Donkey Kong 64 is going to be, especially since it uses the Expansion Pak. This game is a prime example of why I love Nintendo. I know that a lot of people disagree with me and find their games too cutesy, but I say bring 'em on.

Tips:

• When ever possible grab a friend to play Floyd, it can be confusing with the two sites but the extra fire power is worth it.
• Strafe like the dickens, if you are moving and shooting the bugs can't shoot you as easily.