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Platform: GameCube
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Publisher: Bandai
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Developer: Eighting
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Medium: DVD-ROM
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Players: 1 - 2
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Online: No
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Also on: (n/a)
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An ultimately forgettable combination of Super Smash Brothers with a traditional 3D fighter.
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Imitation isn't a bad thing, especially when properly done. In fact, it's how games have evolved since the very beginning. One developer does one thing, another developer sees some unrealized potential in the concept, another sees a way to expand upon their effort, and so on. Unfortunately, for every forward step, there's a lot of missteps along the path, games that just didn't live to whatever inspired them. Unfortunately, Zatch Bell Mamodo Battles! is one of those missteps.
That's not to say Zatch Bell is a horrible game. It fares slightly better than that, ending up as a decent, yet ultimately forgettable, fighter that fans of Zatch Bell will surely dig. But unless you're a huge Zatch fan, you're not going to care one bit that this is a Zatch Bell game. Rather, you're scoping out the gameplay, hoping this is one of those rare licensed games with such awesome gameplay their appeal extends to those not familiar with the license. And that's just not the case here.
That's because after the first ten minutes, you've come dangerously close to mastering the game. The control scheme is simple, one button for physical attacks, one button for spells, a block button, an evade button, and a super-attack that must be charged for a few seconds before use. Without complex combos to memorize, most fights can simply be won through mashing the two attack buttons.
Much like Super Smash Brothers, there's not a lot of variation in the execution of moves among the different characters. Instead, the same button combinations are generally reused throughout the repertoires of the different characters. But unlike Super Smash Brothers, the fights of Zatch all take place on a flat surface, so the chosen level really doesn't matter much. Zatch also doesn't feature any items that would help to elevate the experience from simple button-mashing or the repetition of the same move over and over again. So it's a very simple game to learn, to master, and ultimately, to forget.
Still, fans of Zatch Bell will absolutely adore the game for the simple fact that it’s Zatch Bell. They'll enjoy that the vocal talents used here are the same from the show. They'll enjoy the point system, which allows them to power-up characters and buy cards the more they fight. They'll enjoy the stylish, cel-shaded graphics. They'll enjoy the wide array of unlockable teams, all cameos from the series.
Yet I have to question if even Zatch Bell fans will enjoy hearing the same battle taunts used over and over again. Just because Zatch wants Kiyo to help him doesn't mean he should remind us of that every possible chance he gets. I also have to wonder how much of the story mode the devoted fans will be able to take.
You see, the layout for the story mode used is a bit odd. A variety of locales are presented, and upon choosing them, the level is loaded and then, and only then, do you discover if there's an opponent at that stage. If not, which happens rather often, you sit as the game loads the selection screen and then try your luck at one of the other locales. Eventually discovering and completing a fight may be satisfying at first, but it's lessened once you realize you may spend more time hopping through levels looking for an opponent instead of actually fighting one.
Like I said before, Zatch Bell Mamodo Battles! isn't a horrible game. It is, however, not worth playing for most of the adult gaming populace. The gameplay feels like someone tried to mix the gameplay of Super Smash Brothers with that of a more traditional 3D fighter and gave up half-way through, while the design of story mode is likely confusing and potentially frustrating for the younger crowd. And though there's a good chunk of unlockable characters, the only people that will really care are the devoted Zatch Bell fans that would play this regardless of what I say here. So if you're looking for the next great fighting game, keep looking. But if you're looking for a game with Zatch Bell slapped on it, go ahead and check this out.
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