Gaming to Go: Exit DS
by Matthew Madeiro 
{ Jan 12th 2009 at 12:41PM }
Sometimes the stylus is a beautiful thing. Such a tiny white stick has infinite potential for interaction, introducing new control schemes and input methods to a industry clinging dearly to its buttons. Nintendo clearly has no qualms taking a risk with its input devices, if that semi-popular magical remote thing is any indication, though its more diminutive sibling demands its own share of the limelight. When it works, it works, and the stylus becomes an indispensable part of the gameplay.
Sometimes it doesn't work as well as it could. For exhibit A we have Exit DS, a poster child for the "Buttons are Best!" camp. Call me picky, but the option to select a more traditional button control scheme is Exit's saving grace, since I don't think I would have made it very far in were I forced to wield the mighty stylus through all one hundred and fifty levels. It helps too that there's a pretty interesting game behind it all, one that's easily worth checking out if you don't mind putting up with a few control quirks. That game happens to be very well-suited for Gaming to Go, as you might have guessed. Want to hear more? Hit the A button to advance to the next screen!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
elsng @ Jan 12th 2009 12:50PM
Love this game.
I'm using the stylus control to complete the game. It's frustrating and harder to use than the control pad, but I like being able to move the camera view with the control pad when using the stylus control mode.
eugaet @ Jan 12th 2009 1:56PM
Agreed, it's a pretty fun title.
I'm playing through w/ the stylus controls as well, even though it's the more frustrating/finicky option. You get used to them after a while and it's not as bad as it is in the beginning. Moving the camera w/ the buttons while using the stylus is a definite plus. You'll probably be able to get better times with button controls, though.
Highly recommended for the $10 price at GS.
Jarlino @ Jan 12th 2009 1:26PM
The horrible controls was wat killed the game for me.
Either that, or a slow pace, which isn't what I'm looking for in my DS games.
PMB @ Jan 13th 2009 4:47AM
I'm playing the game, currently doing situation 13 levels, and always played it with the stylus. I'm getting lots of 100 scores in the levels, so i don't think the stylus is a bad control system.