Nanostray

''Nanostray'' is a vertically scrolling shooter for the Nintendo DS. The user takes control of a futuristic spacecraft against a horde of enemies. A sequel, ''Nanostray 2'', was released in 2008.

Gameplay

Basic gameplay consists of first defeating waves of many small enemies and then greater, stronger enemies. When all enemies in a wave are destroyed, a blue powerup that restores the power weapon bar is released. Enemies can also release coins when destroyed, worth some points. At the end of each level there is a boss that represents the theme of the level.

The game has three difficulty settings; Normal, Advanced, and Expert. Each progressive level diminishes the lives, energy, continues, and smart bombs replenished after the player loses a life. The Nintendo DS touch screen is used for boss scanning, radar, and weapon management.

Weapons

There are four different types of weapons. The weapons range in projectile type from a basic forward-shooting laser, to a weapon that only shoots to the side, to a forcefield generator. Additionally, each weapon has a limited-use special attack, which, in essence, is a mightier version of the weapon's attack.

Modes

There are four game modes to play: Adventure, Arcade, Challenge, and Multiplayer.
*''Adventure'': To unlock other features, the player must first play through adventure mode. Each level cleared in the Adventure mode is made available in the Arcade mode, and one or more challenges are added to the Challenge mode. The game allows the player to play the first three stages (''Mitsurin Jungle'', ''Mokuzu Depths'', and ''Sunahara Desert'') in any order. After these three stages are cleared, the player can do the same with the following three stages (''Hibashira Plains'', ''Sekihi Belt'', and ''Sekai Outpost''). Then the player must clear ''Chuuroh City'' to reach the final stage, ''Zenshoh Station''.
*''Arcade'': The objective is to score as many points as possible in advanced difficulty. When a stage is cleared, a passcode is generated, which can be entered in the official site to create an account and be ranked.
*''Challenge'': A total of 22 challenges are presented. Challenges force the player to end the stages with different conditions, in example, a minimum score, without smart bombs, without using the sub weapon, with only one life, etc. Each beaten challenge adds a new "extra". Extras include background music, concept art, etc.
*''Multiplayer'': Two players can compete in four different modes: ''120s'' (play during 120 seconds, at the end of the time the player with the highest score wins), ''60s'' (idem 60), ''25k'' (the first player to reach 25,000 points wins) and ''Bonus Race'' (all destroyed enemies release coins, the player who gets the most after 120 seconds wins). Since Nanostray supports wireless single card download, only one cartridge is needed to play.

Reception

The game received above-average reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. Most reviews focused on the impressive quality of the graphics. In Japan, where the game was ported and published by Taito under the name on January 26, 2006, ''Famitsu'' gave it a score of three sevens and one six, while ''Famitsu Cube + Advance'' gave it a score of two eights and two sevens.

References

External links

Official siteShin'en's Nanostray website
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{{Shin'en Multimedia shoot 'em ups

2005 video games
Majesco Entertainment games
Multiplayer and single-player video games
Nintendo DS games
Nintendo DS-only games
Shin'en Multimedia games
Taito games
THQ games
Vertically scrolling shooters
Video games developed in Germany