Appreciate it, thanks for the info, Yosh. I just meant, I hope those games allow you to use the d-pad rather than requiring you to use the analog stick. I definitely prefer the PS2 d-pad to the GCN one, for example. The Wii d-pad might be my favorite console d-pad, though.
Come to the d-pad side, Yosh >:} Almost all games are better played with a d-pad....
Sorry, but a properly designed 3D game plays a lot better with full analog control imo. The pure joy of controlling Mario in Super Mario Sunshine is unparalleld and the full usage of the analog stick is
the reason for this (mind you, I don't want to state Sunshine is the best Mario, it is not, but it is the single most compelling game in regards to player movement). Of course, an analog stick is not a good thing if a game is not designed to be played with it.
The games were designed to be played with the d-pad, not the stick. Not sure how you're getting that it's easier to hit the diagonals with a stick, anyway -- with the dpad you just have to hit two buttons at once, but with a stick you need to make sure it's angled properly at all times, and a slight involuntary adjustment can send you straight to your doom.
Good to know, thank you!
Now to my comments for the Crash games I have completed so far:
Crash
Bandicoot
PSX
D-Pad controls? Yes
Stick controls? No
A very focussed, almost 2d platformer with a strange saving system and quite a few challenging levels. Many levels are a lot of fun, but the game tends to have some stinker level design at places too, in particular the invisible bridge parts with holes in them that come into play several times. However, I guess everyone here, in particular you, Max, knows this game anyway, so I'll keep this short and continue with the less-known games
Crash Bandicoot Fusion
GBA
D-Pad controls? Yes
Stick controls? No
While it looks like a traditional 2D Crash platformer, it is actually quite a bit different. THere are only five levels and the levels themsleves are not very tightly designed or challenging at all. Instead, they serve more as hub worlds for the mini stages you need to complete in order to get all crystals and games in the game. Typically a gem is awarded if you destroy all crates within a mini stage and s crystal is awarded for finishing a mini stage.
However, Crash Bandicoot Fusion is not a minigame collection in the traditional sense. Instead, the mini stages offer a combination of several different types of mini games that get increasingly more difficult as you progress through the worlds. So you have a small set of mini games that get developed further over the game. About half of those mini games are a lot of fun and serve as a selection of classic Crash bonus room style levels or something at least similar. There are free fall levels in which you fall down a hole an need to crash all crates, mini-platforming levels in which your mission also is to destroy all boxes (and get to the goal if you're only interested in the crystal, which you shouldn't). Moreover, there are levels in which you ride a fast running ice bear - again, destroying the crates yields a gem, getting to the finish line yields a crystal. These are very much reminiscent of the animal riding levels in PlayStation Crash games. To conclude the selection of fun minigames, there are quite a few mini levels that play exactly like DKC Tropical Freeze's rocket barrel levels - although much easier.
On the other hand, there are also a lot of stinkers. In particular there is a tank minigame, either playing a literal tank or playing a boat that controls like a tank. These mini games are not difficult, but tedious and boring. The same goes for a shooting style level where you need to shoot down paraglider or sheep. Fun, but strange in a Crash game: An Asteroids game that plays like Breakout.
Overall, the game is short, easy, and not a full platformer, you can play it if you are a Crash fan, you will not hate it, but it's no where near essential.
Crash of the Titans
NDS
D-Pad controls? Yes
Stick controls? No [Yes, if you play on 3DS of course, but the game does not use the analog information then]
Basically a classic Crash Bandicoot game with a bigger emphasis on fighting. You can feel the developers really liked working on a Crash game, but on the other hand, the heavy pop-ups of relevant collectibles, the too long and too few levels as well as the unremarkable and simple level design bring the game down considerably. However, it's not a bad game by any stretch, if you like Crash-style linear platforming in a semi-3D world, you'll feel right at home here. You need to keep in mind that the trademark spinning attack was exchanged for a standard kick attack though. Looking for crates and masks (both required for 100%) feels a lot like traditional Crash platforming and also the ratio of well-hidden and obviously placed items is comparable to the PSX-games.
There are two more notable aspects of the game, one being that you play short levels with Nina Cortex every once in a while which make the Crash levels seem like wonderfully creative masterpieces (they are just dumb lines for you to walk along and shoot enemies) and each of the eight Crash levels has a (most of the time) touch based mini level attached to it which you can select serparately and which houses several additional masks (i.e. for 100% they are obligatory). Luckily, those mini levels are all quite fun and certainly do not overstay their welcome.
Overall, if you are looking for a traditional style Crash and have already played the first four games, Crash of the Titans certainly is a good choice. Don't expect a (somewhat) modern classic though.
Currently, I'm playing through the Wii version of Crash of the Titans with my fiancée and it is a lot less traditional than the DS game and from my experience so far (5/20 levels done) it's also worse. Still fun enough though.
