Rainbow Islands Revolution brings an update of the classic arcade game to the DS and adds a little special touch – the ability to completely control the game using the DS touch screen and stylus.

Now, some people get all nervous and jittery when classic and much-loved arcade games are ‘updated’. Certainly in this type of case, where Rising Star games go so far as to describe Rainbow Islands Revolution as ‘daringly experimental’, the purists think that their beloved games are being tamper ... more >>

Rainbow Islands Revolution brings an update of the classic arcade game to the DS and adds a little special touch – the ability to completely control the game using the DS touch screen and stylus.

Now, some people get all nervous and jittery when classic and much-loved arcade games are ‘updated’. Certainly in this type of case, where Rising Star games go so far as to describe Rainbow Islands Revolution as ‘daringly experimental’, the purists think that their beloved games are being tampered with in some way, and thus cheapened, devalued, made worse.

This is far from the case with Rainbow Islands Revolution. Rising Star Games really has retained the spirit and feel of the original, whilst updating it for use with a totally new control mechanism. They have definitely stayed true to their stated aim, which is to bring classic gaming properties lovingly up to date. The Taito diehards can rest in peace.

Rainbow Islands is all about three things - intense platforming challenges, a delightfully cute visual style and, the best bit, firing out rainbows all over the shop. The original game was based on a ‘run, shoot out a rainbow, jump’ mechanic. Rainbow Islands Revolution differs from this in that your character - Bub or Bob - sits in an eternally floating bubble and you move them around the levels by touching and dragging their little bubble with the stylus.

Instead of shooting out rainbows, you now draw them directly onto the field of play – and picking up various power-ups along the way enables you to draw longer rainbows. You can also trap individual enemies, groups of baddies, or - if you have enough rainbow power - clear the whole screen of the critters.

Two brand new secret character sprites have been designed by well-known Harvest Moon artist Igusa Matsuyama. Plus, the original's enemies and bosses also return in their vintage guises, as does the bonus-item frenzy of Rainbow Island's immensely satisfying "Goal In!" level endings.

You can play the game in single-player Story mode or Score Attack mode, or try out the wireless multiplayer races with up to three friends. << less