Metascore
75 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 23
  2. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. 85
    The shooter has been a genre in decline since 3D gaming became the standard, but games like Nanostray 2 are shining examples of why this type of game needs to kept alive.
  2. Nanostray 2 has shattered my ego and destroyed my confidence as a gamer, at least on the DS and in this genre. The staggering difficulty and blazing visuals may overwhelm the casual gamer, but anyone who takes the time to master the frantic gameplay model and memorize every level and every enemy wave and boss pattern will find a deep, strategic, and somewhat oppressive shooter.
  3. Nanostray 2 is great follow-up to the original DS title.
  4. 81
    If you're a DS-owning shooter fan, Nanostray 2 is a must buy. Not only is it a perfectly able shmup, it's also the only game in town. It's not inventive enough to catch the attention of the rest of the world, though.
  5. Unrelenting difficulty aside, Nanostray 2 for the Nintendo DS is a top-notch shoot-'em-up that will give you your money's worth.
  6. Just make sure you bring lots of patience along with your trigger finger.
  7. Nanostray 2 is a dyed-in-the-wool shoot-'em-up that offers great action in a shiny, proficient package.
  8. The game simply delivers some no-nonsense, hardcore space shooter fun that's decidedly tough to beat but easy to pick up and jump right into.
  9. This game is targeted at hardcore shooter fans who like a good challenge. Its unforgiving difficulty, even on the easiest setting, makes Nanostray 2 hard to recommend for anyone else. Even so, its production values are apparent and its mechanics are solid (if a bit dated), making it a good selection for fans of the genre.
  10. Ultimately, Nanostray 2 caters to the hardcore, traditional shooter fan.
  11. 80
    If you enjoy this type of game, you won't find a much better example of it in the portable world.
  12. 80
    Nanostray 2 will definitely please hardcore arcade shooter fans, but the increased difficulty may narrow the game's mainstream appeal. [Mar 2008, p.86]
  13. Traditionally, games that needed to carve out a niche for themselves within the crowded shooter genre have done so by introducing a new gimmick. Nanostray 2 relies instead on pure polish.
  14. It's incredibly slick. [Dec 2008, p.80]
  15. The challenges and online leaderboards are a plus for competitive players, and the high-adrenaline experience is a great fit for quick handheld sessions.
  16. This one's for shmup fans only. With no competition on DS, N2 scratches the itch for portable shooting.
  17. Nanostray 2 is a great portable shooter-game. A fresh and fast title, perfect for long or short play sessions. But mind that if you don't exactly like this kind of game, it's high difficulty may get you to frustration very soon.
  18. For a by-the-numbers space shooter, you can't go wrong with the second installment of this DS franchise. [Jan 2008, p.102]
  19. Aside from the occasional hiccup with collision detection, and some uninspired boss battles, Nanostray 2 does enough to gain an honourable mention in the genre. [May 2008, p.98]
  20. Nanostray 2 looks gorgeous and is eminently playable, but sadly it lacks imagination and becomes disappointingly repetitive all too quickly.
  21. Nanostray 2 is an odd mix of old and new; it looks and plays better than any of those old games, and it has the polish of a fresh title, but its brand of twitchy, frenetic action and one-hit deaths is so 1985. [Feb 2008, p.89]
  22. You could quite easily mistake Nanostray 2 for a game in any other shooter series, but it lacks the focus and polish that make series like "Gradius" and"R-Type" great. [Feb 2008, p.84]
  23. 58
    Outside of retro ports, there isn't a straight-up shooter on the DS quite like it. But make no mistake -- its progression flaw is a big one, and if you know you can't deal with the unforgiving trial-and-error nature of games like it, look for something far more relaxing.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. MihailoDespotovic
    10
    It's been two years since amazing Nanostray, the long awaited sequel is finally here and Shin'en delivered again big time with eight tantalizing levels pushing your skills to their limits and DS sound and graphic capabilities to the extreme. The replaybility is guaranteed by being able to upload the scores (this time directly from DS via WiFi) and measure yourself against the best players in the world. Technically the game is brilliant and the music is outstanding, maybe even better than in the original game. Absolute must for any shmup lover and highly recommended title for any DS gamer! Full Review »
  2. hardcoreshooterfan
    10
    This is a 2d shooter that is challenging . Lets you play classic controls or lets you move the ship with the stylus . lots of special weapons to choose from and you can customize the angles of your guns . very cool . it controls perfect , looks pretty , lots of music, and extras. It is easily the best shooter that shin Full Review »