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Feel the Magic: XY/XX

EMAIL PRINT ds

8.0 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 55 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 11 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Sega

Developer: Sonic Team

Genre(s): Action, Adventure

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: November 16, 2004

Summary

Also known by its Japanese title "Kimi no Tame Nara Shineru" (I Would Die For You), or as Project Rub (in the UK/EU) the game is part dating sim, part mini-game bonanza. Our hero has a sunny beauty on his mind, and he's doing everything he can to score a date with her. He enlists the help of the Rub Rabbits – a suave gang of super performers who wear plastic, members-only rabbit ears – to help him get her attention. Through a series of madcap performances like defending himself from bulls and blowing out giant candles, our hero manages to impress the girl. When he finally takes her out, the craziness really begins: a rival suddenly appears and a dark cloud is cast over their love. Will he ever be able to feel the magic of true love? [Sega]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: 1UP Preview GameSpot Preview GameSpy Preview IGN Preview Nintendojo Preview Official Game Site

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Times Online

Project Rub makes no use of the DS’s wireless communication feature, so there is no multiplayer event. Still, this off-beat gem is a must-have game for any fledgeling DS collection.

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Nintendo Power

It's a work of mad genius. [Feb 2005, p.112]

Nintendophiles

Aesthetic beauty aside, Feel the Magic is a clear-cut winner in this pond of first generation launch titles. It's a nice little challenge with a well-permeated concept, which will be something you, your friends and your family will be able to pick up and play at any given moment well into the DS's lifespan.

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GamePro

More than any other launch title Feel the Magic was conceived and constructed to fully express the unique technological potential of the DS, and its Wario-inspired mini-games require quick reflexes, pinpoint accuracy, a steady hand, strong lungs, and a healthy sense of the absurd to successfully complete.

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Game Informer

A genuine treat, and even its short length doesn't hold me back from granting it my solid seal of approval. [Jan 2005, p.145]

NintendoWorldReport

Fun is the simplest word to describe Feel the Magic. You will not find a more zany, unique, and varied game available. The story, graphical style, and games blend together to create a truly one of a kind experience.

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Worth Playing

A quirky title that can be fun, the first time around. Not being an avid collector of clothing for the girl in the game, I got bored with the game once I had beaten it the first time through.

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Gaming Nexus

Sonic Team’s nutty sense of style and humor saturates every last inch of this game, and the unconventional appeal and concept will attract gamers and non-gamers alike.

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Cinescape

In one of the most bizarre games I’ve ever played, Sonic team has taken some elements of "WarioWare" and combined it with the style and quirkiness of a game like "Space Channel 5."

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Nintendo Insider

The game reminds me of "Wario Ware," except with longer mini-games and an arguably wackier presentation, which should make any gamer anticipate "Wario Ware Touched!" even more.

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VGPub

A very short game. That being said, it is also a very entertaining game.

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Gaming Target

It’s far from a killer-app or benchmark title, but it’s the best game of the launch crop and the only one that takes advantage of the hardware (save for the multiplayer), and thus a must-own if you’re really interested in the DS.

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WHAM! Gaming

If you're seeking a title to show off the new approaches to gaming that the Nintendo DS offers, look no further than this beautiful, bizarre gem.

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RewiredMind

A cracking effort from Nintendo’s former arch-rivals, but not the longest game you could ever wish for.

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VideoGamesLife

Its stylish looks, its innovative control and demented sense of humour make for a game that’s not only a complete joy to play, but also the first title for Nintendo’s newest console to actually use the touch-screen the way it was intended.

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GameBrink

Another cracker from Sonic Team. Embrace and remember – “Rub Is Love”! [JPN Import]

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Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)

It's stylish, inventive and, perhaps most importantly, won't fail to put a beaming smile on your face. [NGC Pocket]

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The New York Times

Fortunately, the game often lets you bypass annoying games in favor of entertaining ones, so the ratio of fun to aggravation is pretty good.

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GamerFeed

A fantastic game not only because it makes excellent use of the DS's special features, but also because of its unique visual style.

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Yahoo! Games

Amongst all the launch games for the DS, this quirky dating game is the one that really captured our hearts and pulled us back.

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NTSC-uk

It's stylish, slick, appealing and wouldn't look all that far out of place dancing itself silly in an Austin Powers film. Everything is clean, pure cut and concise.

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Siliconera

All of the mini games are pretty fun to play. They're definitely something refreshingly different from anything you've played before. However, they're short.

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Total Video Games

Represents a number of things to us, firstly it’s perhaps SEGA being at their most creative best and quirkily original for the last few years; secondly in our opinion the game utilises virtually all that the Nintendo DS has to offer.

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Console Gameworld

A great game for showing off the capabilities of the DS, and fun while it lasts, even though it isn't long enough.

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DS Central

The music and sounds are perfect for the atmosphere the game is suppose to create. Feel The Magic is the game with everything it needs to be fun.

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Electronic Gaming Monthly

For what's ostensibly a collection of minigames, Feel the Magic seems amazingly cohesive.

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IGN

There's a lot to like about Feel The Magic, but for what it has, it cannot count longevity. As wacky games of this type go, it's about average in length, but without difficulty options for the minigames and only one path through the game, it doesn't fight off the longing once the romance has reached its climax.

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GameSpot

Essentially a collection of minigames tied together by the age-old story of unrequited love, Feel the Magic: XY/XX ends up providing an engaging experience that is more than the sum of its parts.

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eToychest

A decent game, but it is best described as an interesting diversion that serves as a showcase of things to come for the new console. Unfortunately players will have to decide if they want to drop down the money for an experience that, while unique, is over far too quickly.

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Gaming Age

Games like Feel the Magic: XY/XX won't be played a year from now, but for the moment, it's a fantastic poster child for everything the Nintendo DS hardware is supposed to be about.

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GameCube Europe

It’ll infuriate and irritate you to no end, but it’ll also evoke a level of wonder and satisfaction to eclipse it.

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Play Magazine

My only complaint is how your progress goes backwards when you fail at a given task; replaying is one thing, but the negative penalization is just kinda mean. [Jan 2005, p.84]

netjak

What makes matters even less thrilling is the fact that many of the games are devoid of replay value, being little more than glorified puzzles.

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Play.tm

The main criticism though is that there simply isn't enough of it. You almost get the impression that Sonic Team ran out of ideas toward the end, so they repeated some of the boss battles again and then went home.

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Nintendojo

If you are a big fan of mini-games, you're planning on buying a bunch of games this month along with your DS, and would like to pretend that you actually have a girlfriend... then I suggest you go pick up a copy of Feel the Magic: XY/XX.

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Cheat Code Central

FTM is no cakewalk. It's challenging and demented but addictive. For a change of pace this game is exactly the sort of game you can pop in, have fun and laugh at the stupid stunts and storyline.

Eurogamer

It's so obviously a lot of good games. And we're feeling a degree of magic. But in the end Feel the Magic isn't quite enough to sate us.

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GameSpy

It's so darn stylish and such a great demonstration of the DS hardware. Unfortunately, it's over long before I want it to be, and there's not enough to keep me coming back to it after a few more rounds with it.

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My Gamer

A lot like other quirky Sega titles like "Space Channel Five" and "Samba de Amigo" in that it’s a lot of fun to play and has an outlandish charm to it, but once you’re done, there isn’t much left to do with the game.

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games(TM)

This represents an unusual and attention-grabbing way for Sonic Team and Sega to make their entrances on a new platform and will succeed among the initial batch of launch games. [Jan 2005, p.121]

GMR Magazine

A complete aesthetic and mechanical package. [Feb 2005, p.112]

Stuff

While some of the mini-games are curiously compelling—one had us actually blowing into the NDS microphone to snuff out a series of marching candles that were about to set a group of people on fire—there's no reason to ever play it again once the LSD wears off.

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AceGamez

This is definitely a title to show off to your mates - however, while it is easily one of the most original games I've seen in a while, I don't think it is the best the DS is capable of. It's a barrel load of love and laughs but I just know there's better to come!

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Thunderbolt

Sure, the game places plenty of emphasis on the DS’s touch screen gimmick, but at least it executes it well. If you’re looking for a fun and lighthearted game to keep you busy, look no further than this game.

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Games Radar (in-house)

Buy it for its offbeat originality, and ponder the possibilities once developers really understand that there’s more to the DS than a little plastic pointer.

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RealGamer

Trouble is, most of the minigames aren’t entertaining on an individual basis; the enjoyment resides in not knowing what is coming next. While it lasts.

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Gamestyle

It has some shortcomings and will very nearly frustrate as much as it delights.

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Sydney Morning Herald

Completed mini-games can be played individually with increasing difficulty, but there is little long-term appeal once the delightfully barmy story has finished.

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PALGN

It is good to see such a wacky game being released out of Japan, it just isn't as good as we wanted it to be.

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Gamer.tv

You'll work your way through all the minigames quickly, but you'll have a smile on your face for the duration.

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G4 TV

An amusing and often times funny diversion with a lot of cool ideas, but ultimately falls flat as a game. It’s a pretty bold experiment coming from the increasingly-staid House that Sonic built, but one that leaves us feeling passionless.

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DarkStation

A great game? No, but the game did have some neat ideas and a few interesting mini-games.

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Edge Magazine

It's doubtful you'll endlessly return past the few hours necessary to beat the game, but for now it remains both a welcome introduction to a new system and its own unique and rewarding experience.

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1UP

It's fun, perhaps, but fun in ways that are so odd that it's hard to say whether any given player will get the joke.

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Game Revolution

A weird idea and plenty of kitsch value doesn’t make for a good game, although it certainly makes for one helluva song.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.0 (out of 10) based on 11 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Debbie T. gave it a2:
Short and dull. This game's "novelties" are tapping frantically at the screen and tracing over lines. No thinking required. The graphics are good in a stylised kind of way. That's all I can say for it.

Hunter R. gave it an8:
Feel the Magic is what Wario Ware ought to be, but too damn short to get a 10. The games and story are fun, innovative, and at times hilarious, but most gamers will complete the story mode just hours after buying the game. The graphics are good in most of the games, but the story is presented largely in a comic book style, reminiscent of Max Payne. The use of the touch pad and microphone really bring the game to life, and make some of the games a riot. Now that Feel the Magic is a bargain title, ($15 to $20 in most stores) there's no excuse not to pick up a copy. It's more than worth your money, and is a great example for other developers to follow. Sonic Team's effort to use the DS in every way possible really shows, and makes this title a true work of art.

Steve gave it a7:
This game is short only if you want it to be. Yeah, the story mode isn't too long but it's entertaining while it lasts. I found this game to get old after a while and repetitive as well. Rent first before you buy.

Jon H. gave it an8:
I had a lot of fun with this game despite all the problems already noted, it sure does beat mario 64 ds.

Jason W. gave it a9:
Short? Yes. Easy? Kind of. More addictive then crack? Hell yeah. This game makes excellent use of the mic. and touch screen and is sure to provide you with years of entertainment. Look for this title to disappear quickly.

[Anonymous] gave it a9:
I imported a nintendo ds from america with this game because i felt it would best use its features. And it does! This game is hilarious and fun all at once and may be a bit short but with lots of unlockables, 3 difficulty levels and plenty of replay value this is a fantastic game.

Supersean gave it a 9:
With good graphics, incredible use of all the features, the ability to make the girl nude are all great things about the game. Weird but funny humor, and odd yet fun and challenging mini games also help. But its definitely no mario party. I think if it was a little longer, had more mini games, had a multiplayer abilites, and the charaters had more detail (especially the nude lady) would help alot. I give it an 8.5 i just put 9 cuz it rounds up.

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Feel the Magic: XY/XX

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What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

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