GENRE
	Action
	DEVELOPER
	Vicarious Visions
	PUBLISHER
	Activision
	LOCAL WIRELESS MULTI-PLAY
	Yes
	Wi-Fi/GLOBAL ONLINE MULTI-PLAY
	No
	MICROPHONE
	No
	BUY NOW AT

While superhero films may rise and fall in quality, their games usually stay consistent. Superman, for instance, has one of the worst track records of any comic book character. Marvel's spider-enhanced flagship vigilante has had better luck as of late. Both Spider-Man 2 and Ultimate Spider-Man fared much better critically than Superman Returns, not to mention the mystically abysmal Superman 64. Unfortunately, this round of console Spideys have fallen short, so it's up to the portable version to pick up the slack. Look out! Here comes Spider-Man 3 for DS.

visuals

Ol' webhead has been starring in DS games since the system's launch and has used the same engine since. Though the action takes place in 2D, the visuals are entirely in 3D. As Spidey slings through the streets of New York, occasionally the backgrounds will shift while the characters remain in the same position relative to player. It's a trick that's been used since the days of Sega Saturn, but it's remained effective. Both Spider-Man and his enemies are small, which is a necessary concession that keeps the zoomed out perspective to capture all of the web-slinging action.

Keeping the characters and the world polygonal gives the game more gravity than it would have normally. Punches have more impact in battle, and throwing characters around seems more satisfying than it would with 2D sprites. Soaring high up above the city gives players a view that isn't seen often in side-scrollers. Technically, each building and character model isn't impressive, but the sum is more than the parts. Rounding out the nice visual presentation are the newspaper clippings from the Daily Bugle that replace comic book panels in cutscenes. There's nothing here that will impress some of the more jaded gamers, but their kids should be just fine with it.

audio

Amazingly, the film's actors actually lend their voices to the scenes throughout the game. It's not so amazing when it becomes apparent that this was obviously a contractual obligation, as the voice acting leaves something to be desired. Tobey Maguire does an okay job; he seems like he's used to this kind of thing and delivers Spider-Man's one-liners with a forced undertone. Going from the few lines she had, Kirsten Dunst sounds like she's above the preteen Spidey fans this game is targeting. The rest of the audio is fine, but unremarkable. Gunshots and webslings go off as they should with menacing Saturday morning cartoon music in the background.

gameplay

There have been three other Spider-Man games on DS since 2004, and they've all used that same type of gameplay introduced in Spider-Man 2. Each has used different touch gimmicks to enhance gameplay, but ended up being useless distractions instead of vital additions. Spider-Man 3 goes for broke in that the only way to attack is to swipe the stylus across the bottom of the screen. The d-pad controls movement: up for jumping and any direction in the air to webswing. Swiping different directions on the touch screen controls different melee attacks, with Spidey's webbing deploying with any double-tap. Though the action takes place on the top screen, the double-taps are made on the corresponding spot on the touch screen.

This sounds disorienting, and it is at first. Most will catch on quickly, though, and should be kicking henchman butt in no time. Combos are rewarded with cash, which can be used to buy special moves and stat boosts at the Spidey Store. Giving the combat just the extra oomph it needs is Spidey's much-ballyhooed black suit. Donning it when his emo, er, rage meter is full, Spidey's black suit makes him much more powerful. Attacks do much more damage to enemies and combo much easier. Players can basically keep the black suit on non-stop once they get it, which makes defeating enemies a bit easy. Stylus controls keep it fun, though. Spidey can uppercut an enemy into the air, shoot a web to pull him down only to send him flying again, followed with midair punches -- and it all feels more satisfying than just tapping a few buttons.

The gameplay is a bit more routine. Spider-Man swings through levels, pulls switches, saves citizens in distress and beats up a few goons along the way. There are a few more supervillains in the game than are featured in the newest movie, but none prove to be any trouble. At least the structure is interesting. Players can roam through New York at their leisure, clearing areas of thugs or running a race for some extra cash. Though after the five-hour story mode is completed, there's little reason to revisit these bonus levels.

multiplayer

Two players will have to have a cart to play in a few minigames. The minigames aren't anything special, but it's nice to see any multiplayer content at all, even if it might be rare that two people with this game meet.

overall

As usual, Spidey delivers a decent handheld experience that will be great for kids. The unique control scheme might amuse hardcore gamers for a while, but the gameplay won't make them put down Lunar Knights or Castlevania. Unless the tykes are hard-pressed to play with the black suit, it might be better to find the now-bargain-priced Spider-Man: Battle for New York from late last year. Either way, Spider-Man flies way above the typical licensed schlock.

7.0/10