DS Daily: Getting it right

by Alisha Karabinus { Apr 28th 2008 at 9:00AM }

Just yesterday, we were talking about some of the worst offenders in stylus-based controls, so it's only fitting that today, we should discuss the best. But let's not focus on the obvious answers. With adventure games, for instance we expect good stylus controls; point and click isn't difficult when your method of input is a pointer with which you click things. What are your favorite other games that use primarily stylus controls? Elite Beat Agents and Ouendan come to mind; while it seems like the stylus would make rhythm games ridiculously easy, these games manage to keep it fun and challenging while presenting a great interface. We're also fond of the punishing brutality of Trauma Center, which made us swear the first time we sewed bad stitches and got lectured about it. The recent NInja Gaiden: Dragon Sword boasts stylus swordplay that is unstoppable. But that's just the tip of a very large iceberg. For as much as we complain about bad stylus controls, so many games do it well.

Tags: controls, stylus

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Madhatter @ Apr 28th 2008 9:09AM

i really liked the way the stylus was used in the world ends with you, so many different ways you could use it!

man that game is one of those amazing ones i'll remember for years and years to come :)

Madhatter @ Apr 28th 2008 9:11AM

PS: Did you mean to have two capitials in "The recent NInja Gaiden" ?
Looks like it's early for ya up there in fanboy country :) hehe, sorry to come across as finicky tho :P
Love your work!!

BiboPenta @ Apr 28th 2008 9:24AM

I haven't played that many games, but Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword and Mario Hoops 3on3 played really well with the stylus.

In the end, being a very different method of control, it's about your ability to adapt and enjoy. Many people hate all games using the touch screen.

miruki @ Apr 28th 2008 10:01AM

Yeah, I really like the use of the Stylus in TWEWY too... I also liked both of the Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side DS games coz the whole skinship thing is so much fun..

Eleniel @ Apr 28th 2008 12:15PM

Obligatory Puzzle Quest mention! Honestly I can't imagine playing Bejeweled with a d-pad/analog stick.

The Theory @ Apr 29th 2008 11:11AM

my first thought as well.

and since it is the best game of the century, well, that places it at the top of the list.

Professor Lario @ Apr 28th 2008 11:38AM

Ninja Gaiden: DS and Zelda *duck* both did a great job with stylus control.

Eleniel @ Apr 28th 2008 12:21PM

Don't duck! Stand proud for what you believe in!!111

Zelda has fantastic controls, except maybe the whole rolling thing, but you never need that, so who cares?

Darklighter @ Apr 28th 2008 1:02PM

I have yet to find a game that uses the stylus that would not be greatly improved by having normal controls. Keep in mind I would never bother with a puzzle or other casual game. Nintendo should not try to incorporate the stylus into hardcore games they should just use it for brain age and other garbage titles.

Texpundit @ Apr 28th 2008 3:50PM

I actually like the stylus-based swing controls on Tiger Woods '08. The putting can be a little wonky, but it really does even the playing field when it comes to actual skill at using the stylus as opposed to just learning certain combos on the buttons.

Jacksons @ Apr 28th 2008 4:34PM

I liked the control in Meteos. I can't imagine that game being as fun using the dpad controls.

Dio @ Apr 28th 2008 4:58PM

Ouendan 1+2
Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales
Phantom Hourglass(though it would have been nice to use the d-pad/buttons for movement)
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
Hotel Dusk: Room 215

Morose @ Apr 28th 2008 9:22PM

Drawn to Life - using the stylus not to point and click on things, but to actually draw my own sprite and various level-elements (and weapons!) was vastly etertaining. I have everything from Super Mario themed debris blowing in the wind to UFOs and some things that definitely changed the ESRB rating, and I chortled and sniggered like a 12 year old over it.

Chibi Robo Park Patrol - yes, it had some pointing and clicking, but the stylus-controlled vehicles and dancing are lots of fun.

Professor Layton - disqualified according to the post because it is a point-and-click adventure game, but it is also Professor Layton, which means jam-packed with great puzzles and cutscenes that were enjoyable rather than annoying.

Frastoglegnia @ Apr 29th 2008 1:21AM

The first Trauma Center isn't a good example of the DS stylus used perfectly. It's an example of a perfect stylus *concept* burdened with unintentional difficulties. TCutK2 has a far better shot at being perfect.

I'm only half-way through The World Ends with You, but so far, I'm amazed at how well the ideas fit the controls. It's the equivalent of a piece of music written so idiomatically for an instrument that the notes are said to "sit on the keys." Our favorite cheap stylus becomes an expressive instrument, the endlessly varied strokes, intuitive and natural.