E3 2008: Hands on with N+ on DS

Arcade hits have found a new home on handhelds, where their simple gameplay makes perfect sense for portable play. Atari's long-awaited retake on the N platforming game finally comes this summer with a wealth of new features justifying the addition of a 'plus' in its name. Hands on with the DS version had us pulling our hair due to the tough-as-nails levels, but that doesn't stop N+ from being one of most feature-rich handheld games of the show.

Not content with slapping N+ onto portables, Atari has taken the time to craft an enormous amount of exclusive content for both DS and PSP versions. You'll run and jump using a miniature ninja through dozens of 2D levels packed with ridiculous obstacles.

Chief among the additions are 200 new levels for both versions of the game; to be more specific, that's 200 for DS and another set of totally different levels for PSP. Additionally, there are 150 bonus multiplayer levels that have been designed just for DS and PSP.

If that doesn't satisfy you, then you're going to get a lot of mileage out of the game's full level editor. What's great is how Atari has worked around the need for friends codes, so you're able to share custom levels via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection without the need to share codes. Even better, shared US-European servers allow levels to be shared internationally. This also works around memory limitations on the DS, where only eight levels can be saved on the cartridge.

Complementing the new multiplayer levels is a suite of four modes: Race, Domination, Tag, and Co-operative. Obviously, co-op has you teaming up with a pal via local wireless to collect gold pieces scattered about each level.

The other three modes take a competitive slant. Race pits you in a straightforward dash to the end of a level. Domination involves collecting gold in order to push your chum's screen space. Each piece you collect slowly moves the screen's edge until the entire view is obscured. Lastly, Tag mode requires running away from your buddy who attempts to tag you. If he or she does, a counter starts that signals game over if it runs out.

Bonus content abounds in N+ as well, running the gamut from different colored costumes for your ninja to new levels. Extras are unlocked by the amount of gold you've collected. You can also enter classic arcade-style button codes to access some of the most secretive content, we're told. Atari promises to give clues regarding codes to those pre-ordering the game.

Given the game's late-August release, however, there's not much time left to pre-order the game. Fear not. As solid as N+ looks, you're probably safe biding your time and not rushing to the store for this difficult, yet highly polished platformer.