Summary
- Release Year: 2006
- Genres: Fighting
- Platforms: Nintendo DS
- Developers: Arc System Works, Studio XELFLEX
- Publishers: Majesco Entertainment
Guilty Gear Dust Strikers: A Blazing Beatdown on the Nintendo DS
Originally released in arcades in 1998, Guilty Gear quickly became a fan favorite fighting game series known for its unique character designs, fast-paced gameplay, and heavy metal soundtrack. In 2006, the series made its debut on the Nintendo DS with Guilty Gear Dust Strikers, a title that brought all the excitement and intensity of the arcade games to a portable platform.
21 Characters, Multiple Modes, and Endless Customization
One of the standout features of Guilty Gear Dust Strikers is its massive roster of 21 characters, each with their own unique fighting style and special moves. From the iconic Sol Badguy to the enigmatic Dizzy, there’s a character to suit every playstyle.
In addition to the standard Arcade and VS Battle modes, Guilty Gear Dust Strikers also offers a Story mode that delves into the lore of the Guilty Gear universe. There are also six mini-games to master, each of which unlocks new moves for the customizable Robo-Ky character.
Multi-Tiered Stages and Devious Traps
Guilty Gear Dust Strikers takes the traditional fighting game formula and adds a new layer of strategy with its multi-tiered stages. These stages feature different types of floors and traps, such as poison, fire, thunder, and bombs, that can damage unaware opponents. Players must be constantly aware of their surroundings and use the environment to their advantage.
Signature Guilty Gear Gameplay
Despite being on a portable platform, Guilty Gear Dust Strikers retains the signature gameplay mechanics that have made the series so popular. This includes the Psych Burst, which allows players to absorb an opponent’s attack and use it to power up their own moves; the Dust Attack, a powerful super move that can be used to finish off an opponent; and the Roman Cancel, which allows players to cancel their moves into other moves or special cancels.
Online and Local Multiplayer
Guilty Gear Dust Strikers supports both local and online multiplayer, allowing players to battle against friends and rivals from around the world. The game’s netcode is surprisingly good for a DS title, providing a smooth and lag-free online experience.
A Portable Guilty Gear Masterpiece
With its deep roster of characters, multiple modes, endless customization options, and signature Guilty Gear gameplay, Guilty Gear Dust Strikers is a masterpiece of the fighting game genre on the Nintendo DS. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the series or a newcomer to the world of Guilty Gear, this game is an essential addition to your collection.
Tips for Playing Guilty Gear Dust Strikers
- Master the Roman Cancel: The Roman Cancel is one of the most important mechanics in Guilty Gear Dust Strikers. It allows you to cancel your moves into other moves or special cancels, giving you more options for combos and mix-ups.
- Use the Environment to Your Advantage: The multi-tiered stages in Guilty Gear Dust Strikers are more than just a visual gimmick. They can be used to your advantage to set up traps, avoid attacks, and gain access to new areas of the stage.
- Learn Your Character’s Matchups: Each character in Guilty Gear Dust Strikers has their own strengths and weaknesses. It’s important to learn the matchups for your character so that you know how to approach different opponents.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment: Guilty Gear Dust Strikers is a deep and complex game with a lot of different mechanics. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different characters, moves, and strategies to find what works best for you.
Conclusion
Guilty Gear Dust Strikers is a phenomenal fighting game that brings all the excitement and intensity of the arcade games to the Nintendo DS. With its massive roster of characters, multiple modes, endless customization options, and signature Guilty Gear gameplay, this game is a must-have for any fighting game fan. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the series or a newcomer to the world of Guilty Gear, Guilty Gear Dust Strikers is a game that you won’t want to miss.
Review Score
8/10
Art
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