DS Daily: Fan of the controls
by David Hinkle 
{ Oct 14th 2008 at 9:00AM }
Which DS game (recent release or older title) do you think really has the right stuff in the controls department? Is it a matter of touch-screen controls or plain old use of the d-pad and buttons? Why do you feel it's a great control scheme? Is there an upcoming game you're excited for that looks like the controls are really spot-on? Lay it on us!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ducksauce @ Oct 14th 2008 9:33AM
I really thrive when playing Geometry Wars, using the d-pad to move and the touch screen to aim/shoot. I've never felt like it was anything less than my fault when I died (on the Phat at least; the diagonal movement issue on the Lite is a problem. Anyone know if this is getting fixed on the DSi?).
tamriel @ Oct 14th 2008 9:36AM
I think Lock's Quest nails the controls quite right. Lock is directed using the touchscreen, but while dragging to move is supported, only clicking on the destination works even better for me. Then, assigning him tasks is only a matter of contextual clicking, which works really right in the middle of the action. Using the buttons to pan the overhead camera strains the hand a bit (which may be alleviated by resting the other side of the DS on a surface or one's lap), but I feel it's a good compromise if it would have otherwise made a full-stylus control scheme more complicated.
Lau @ Oct 14th 2008 9:50AM
I personally loved the controls for Final Fantasy III. None of that scrolling through spells and attacks with the cursor, you just picked the one you wanted on the touch screen and picked who or what to attack the same way.
m-p{3} @ Oct 14th 2008 10:05AM
My favorite control scheme is the one for Mario Kart DS. Nothing really innovative, but works very well.
Tyler @ Oct 14th 2008 10:16AM
probably the only good touch screen controls are in Phantom Hourglass.
It's true!
lincruste @ Oct 14th 2008 10:20AM
Sorry lad, didn't had the time to see your pos while answering! (see right below)
Maz @ Oct 14th 2008 10:47AM
Seconded, the controls in Phantom Hourglass were awesome.
Microx @ Oct 14th 2008 11:31AM
Agreed, I loved the touch controls in PH, they were quite easy to use and felt natural. The one thing I didn't like is that like in previous Zelda games, the item screeen doesnt act as a pause screen so you'll be running around and trying to dance away from an enemy while trying to select a weapon.
lincruste @ Oct 14th 2008 10:18AM
My best DS exeprience is Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, a fully touch-playable game. It seems like Dragon Ball DS has the same type of control, can't wait to get it in english!
My worst DS experience is on right handed-only controls. There are a few, like those f***ing M3 firmwares or SnemulDS (scroll bar).
Make me want to kill a random right-handed coder.
Jangles @ Oct 14th 2008 10:23AM
I have two favorites. The first is The World Ends With You. Each pin has its own way of activating with the stylus though sometimes I want to move the character and I use a pin instead. Also, I haven't quite mastered the use of the partner and the D-pad yet.
The other game is and old forgotten one titled Lost Magic. You play a young wizard who has to save everybody and you have to use use magic spells by drawing a symbol on the touch screen. There are 18 different symbols that you learn through the game and you can one, two or three of them in any combination. There is a total of 360 pells in the game. The only flaw is that every battle in the game is limited to 5 minutes which you see counting down. That is why I havn't beaten the final boss yet because she is tough an 5 min has not been long enough.
chibi_wings @ Oct 14th 2008 1:08PM
i agree with the lost magic comparison, the touch screen was made for RTSs. And the rune drawing adds a nice touch to the stylus-driven gameplay ^^
TWEWY is so a good stylus controlled game =)
David @ Oct 16th 2008 4:54AM
The World Ends With You was a "holy shit" moment for me. It was incredible to realize that a game had been designed so centrally around the controls and layout of the DS -- I just couldn't think of anything else quite like it. Other games use the stylus well (Metroid Prime: Hunters and Trauma Center come to mind) but they usually don't know what to do with that second screen -- map, score, progress info, whatever. TWEWY is different. The combat revolves around using both screens simultaneously, in a careful, rhythmic, balance. It's totally system-centric, completely tailored to what the DS does well. For me, it has more or less defined what devs can -- and should -- do with the DS platform.
Hamster @ Oct 14th 2008 10:42AM
I would say any of the games where they've gone with whatever control scheme best suited the game. Normal button controls are perfect for New Super Mario Bros and Mario Kart DS, etc. touch-screen controls are perfect for Nintendogs, Wario Ware Touched, etc.
Conversely, the game I'm playing at moment is Zelda: Phantom Hourglass and though I'm prepared to get used to it, so far I hate it. It's clearly a great game, but unfortunately trapped in a horrible control scheme that's awkward, uncomfortable and gimmicky. For one thing it's pretty hard to enjoy a game when a large part of the screen is obscured by your hand. It may be novel for non-gamers, but there's no way anyone can tell me that it's better than traditional button controls and whilste playing it I long for the accurate, comfortable, tactile, sensory pleasures of normal button controls. Controlling Zelda with a pen just doesn't do it for me. It's such a shame that Nintendo would sacrifice perfect control and compromise such a beloved gaming franchise for the sake of non-gamers. Very sad indeed.
Jangles @ Oct 14th 2008 10:59AM
I didn't have a problem with PH's stylus controls. Maybe you could hold the stylus different so that you can see the screen? The way I hold the stylus is with my pinky pressed against the side of my DS so I gat a two-hand hold and my fingers are about halfway up the stylus giving my full view of the screen except for the part the stylus coves up but that isn't much.
Jacksons @ Oct 14th 2008 11:14PM
Haha, couldn't agree more, Hamster. I didn't hate the game, but I can't see myself ever playing through it again. Even by the end of the game I was still having accidental inputs now and then(rolls and attacks mainly.) It just didn't seem optimal to me.
As for favorite? Well, I love Meteos, and I can't imagine playing it with the D-pad (although they do allow it)
aj @ Oct 14th 2008 11:16AM
I haven't played any games that had really, really bad control schemes. Most games have decent control schemes.
My only complaint is with games that force you to use the stylus. Magical Starsign is one such game. It had brilliant touch controls, but why, oh why, were you forced to use the stylus and not the buttons? It made no sense.
I really like the stylus in Summon Night Twin Age, as well. It feels a lot like playing a PC game with a mouse. It's nice.
But nothing has really been outstanding, which isn't bad, I'm more worried about the AWFUL controls. The worst I've experienced so far is Rune Factory, which isn't bad, just hideously complex (EVERY. SINGLE. BUTTON. Has 4 different uses. Good lord.).
obis666 @ Oct 14th 2008 12:45PM
Geometry Wars and metroid prime. Also I want to just say, why are the not any good first person shooters like metroid prime? We know its possible because of the release of metroid prime,.. so what is the hold up? Are you really just letting all of you FPS fans move over to PSP? I really dont like RPG's (turn based especially) and than seems to be every other title that comes out for the NDS. I'm just saying they need to produce more games along the lines of metroid prime, I would buy them. I really feel like nintendo think a majority of its users are like 5 yrs old. 3d not 2d, use those 2 processors for something other than just a fancy spec sheet.
Jacksons @ Oct 14th 2008 11:28PM
Yep, that's the exact reason I picked up a PSP to go with my DS. I love action titles, and after trying Ratchet and Syphon Filter on the PSP, I picked one up the next day.
ga.wright @ Oct 14th 2008 1:09PM
both of the existing castlevania ds titles pleased me. soul bubbles and n+ are controlled nicely.
the legend of kage 2 fails, although im early in the game and im hoping some upgrades will help.
chibi_wings @ Oct 14th 2008 1:21PM
Most controls have been good; there has not been a game where I hated the controls, if there were such a game, it would probably have been long since traded in. The closest I've gotten to playing with awful controls was in Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness. The controls are awesome, but it takes an hour or two to get accustomed to them. And in that hour or two, you are hopeless cursing Natsume for using stylus based gameplay.
I will praise both Animal Crossing and Phoenix Wright for the use of optional touch-screen controls. Switching between the two control schemes is so simple and easy that it adds to the experience of both games. Especially if I am in a mood to play AC using only the stylus one day, while the next I feel like using the buttons. Having more then one control scheme is good, it lets you use the one your most comfortable with.
cheesecakes @ Oct 19th 2008 8:22AM
I'd have to agree with HM:IoH, I got used to it after a while, but it definitely was a pain. I'd keep forgetting to use my stylus to move my character and would end up using a tool which would deplete my stamina xD
On the other hand, I really liked TWEWY's controls and how both top screen and bottom screen were used quite nicely. Though using both screens in battle were hard (I probably went cross eyed trying to master it), I really liked the concept of touching the screen in different ways to trigger an attack.
Felipe @ Oct 14th 2008 2:19PM
Wow, I'm surprised no one has mentioned Ninja Gaiden yet. Definitely toe to toe with Phantom Hourglass as the best "touch screen only" game on the DS.
Simon @ Oct 14th 2008 2:37PM
Personally I hate having to use the touch screen to navigate, unless it's just a menu based game like Phoenix Wright. That being said I think Phoenix Wright nailed the controls just right, good use of the touch screen but if you don't want to use the touch screen you can just as easily play it using the dpad.
Looking forward to this Edgeworth game!
RasenganFury @ Oct 14th 2008 3:01PM
I recently picked up The World Ends With You and it's controls are really great. They take a bit to get used to but once you do, the game becomes a lot of fun.
polymetrica @ Oct 14th 2008 9:19PM
My favourite controls are definitely the ones in Soma Bringer. No other d-pad control is as smooth and responsive as this game's. Really perfect, and just because of this, they should localize it already! (Plus the gameplay is SERIOUSLY impeccable.)
Worst control experience would probably be Contact. Terrible D-pad and hard to move around. I stopped playing the game within 5 minutes of getting control of the character.
M @ Oct 14th 2008 7:29PM
Best controls - New Super Mario Bros. It feels as good as Mario did on the SNES which is saying a whole hell of a lot.
Worst - Starfox. Why did I have to use the stylus for this game?
Anonymousaurus @ Oct 14th 2008 10:35PM
Kirby Canvas Curse & Meteos
the touch screen controls were spot on and were quite the original ideas when they hit the scene.
the d-pad's been fine for metroid hunters and cod4
I am looking forward to GTA: Chinatown Wars to deliver good aiming and quick selection/seedy minigames/map marking (I definitely dont want the touching to be overdone).
Ryan P. @ Oct 15th 2008 7:38AM
True Swing Golf!
Forget Tiger woods on Wii, the stylus swing was great in TSG. You really got the feel that our swing was good as your swipe on the touch screen, and the putting, unlike tiger, felt true to life...hence the title True Swing Golf...Awww.
If you ever see it in a bargain bin get it.
I saw it for cheap at best buy but that was a while ago. It may be lost now.
RedCdude @ Oct 15th 2008 5:54PM
I'd have to say Age of Empire's: The Age of Kings because it is easy to move using either the d pad or the touch screen
Zhal @ Oct 17th 2008 12:35AM
Metal Slug 7. Pretty much because it let's you choose which buttons do what. And that, unfortunately, is really rare in console games, in general.
If I recall correctly previous DS Castlevanias had nice controls, so I'm looking forward to see how the new stuff add to that.
I hate it when games have some gimmicky way of forcing the use of touch screen. Like Nanostray with its stupid weapon changing on the touch screen.