Wedding Dash – NDS – Review

After more than
10 years with only basic (15 channels) cable, my husband recently got his wish
and installed DirectTV with ESPN. My daughter then introduced me to a show
called "Bridezillas." Not a theme I ever thought I would find amusing, but I kinda like it. Maybe it’s because my daughters are at the marrying age now?
Anyway, Wedding Dash for the DS is also amusing me, and I’m having quite a bit
of fun with it.

Wedding Dash is
a spin-off from the popular Diner Dash. It has the same concept of serving up
meals to seated customers, but also has several different gameplay features. These differences include planning a set menu that everyone eats in the same
order, taking wedding gifts from the customers and delivering them to the bride
and groom, settling fights amongst guests, and moving guests who wish to sit at
a different table. Powerups are also available as upgrades, and affect the
guests more than the venue, unlike in Diner Dash.

This time
around, it is Quinn, Flo’s good friend and co-worker, who is getting all the
action. She steps in to help a friend as a Wedding Planner, and soon has all
sorts of work coming her way. The first thing on her list is to plan the
reception menu. The bridegroom and bride have a list of likes and dislikes, and
it is Quinn’s job to remember what they would like to be served. If Quinn
remembers and chooses the correct items, she will begin the round with a stash
of money.

Once the menu is
chosen, it’s off to the Garden Party. The bride and bridegroom arrive first and
sit at their table at the top of the screen, making remarks throughout the
level. The wedding guests then arrive. Each of the guests has an icon above
their head showing which person they would like to sit by, or which table they
would prefer. Once seated, Quinn must collect their gifts, then deliver them
their food.

When the guests
have eaten all the food items, they will get up and boogie down, thanks to the
D.J. Then, Quinn can seat the next guests.

As the levels
advance, more options become added, such as champagne for the guests, a better
DJ, and more varied demands from the guests. The time crunch can become serious
as the levels get harder.

Wedding Dash is
a really cute game. It is very similar to Diner Dash, but the gameplay is
actually easier because there aren’t as many different things to do for each
guest. However, the levels themselves become really difficult because of having
lots of guests and little time. I actually prefer Wedding Dash over Diner Dash
because of the too-cute wedding theme. Playfirst has done a good job porting the
game to the DS.

A nice choice
for anyone who likes time management portable games, and the wedding theme is
quite fun!

Gameplay:
7.5
The gameplay is
fast-paced, but never impossible. Sometimes a level will have to be played
several times before success is achieved, but players who persevere will win.
The touch controls work well.

Graphics:
7.5
The animated
characters and themes are cute, but aren’t drawn as detailed as in some DS
games.

Sound:
8.0
The music and
sound effects are good, with fitting theme music and sound affects.

Difficulty:
Medium
The game begins with easy gameplay, but soon the difficulty becomes more
intense. Never frustrating, though.

Concept: 7.0
This a tried-and-true concept, but the execution is good and the design well-implemented.

Overall: 7.5
All of the time
management games are similar in concept; the preferred game is chosen due to
what themes the player may like best. Cakes, burgers, weddings, dinners,
cooking, farming, it just depends on the gamer’s taste. Up to now, I’ve
preferred Cake Mania, but Wedding Dash is fast winning a place in my heart.