Welcome to the wild and wacky world of 'Ben 10: Protector of Earth' on the Nintendo DS - where the action is fast and the fashion sense of a 10-year-old alien hybrid is questionable at best! Join young Ben Tennyson as he runs, jumps, and morphs his way across the United States to reclaim his stolen Omnitrix DNA samples. If you've ever wanted to kick some butt while pretending to be aliens, strap in because we're diving deep into this playful romp in a universe where being a kid can literally save the day!
In this side-scrolling brawler, you take control of that lovable little brat, Ben Tennyson, who's known for wearing the same green and black ensemble that we all tried to pull off in the 2000s but, let's be honest, failed miserably. With the power of the Omnitrix, Ben can transform into various aliens, each with unique skills, because obviously fighting crime as a kid isn't challenging enough unless you're also burning things with fire or punching them into the next dimension. As you traverse five regions of the U.S., from the Grand Canyon to the snazzy Space Needle, you'll fight your way through waves of baddies - and occasionally get distracted by shiny collectibles (cue the gamer impulse). Each adversary directly correlates to an alien species you can transform into once you defeat a boss, unlocking them like you're some kind of celestial Pokémon trainer. Should you be victorious, Ben can fully unleash the power of his Omnitrix, enjoying unlimited access to these cool mutations-because, really, who doesn't want to punch a villain with four oversized arms? But let's not forget the puzzles! Yes, in between the death punches and intergalactic chaos, you'll need to solve some brain-teasers, proving that Ben's got more going for him than just his tangled web of powers. Only the sharpest of minds will find all the hidden Omnitrix points and collectible Sumo Slammer cards (because kids love those ... right?). The ranks you earn after each level ensure that you've not only flexed your muscles but your brain too - a well-rounded superhero in training!
Graphically, 'Ben 10: Protector of Earth' comes with a cel-shaded aesthetic that captures the animated series' charm while also reminding you of some rough weekends spent playing DS games on the subway (the nostalgia is real, folks). While not groundbreaking by any means, the environments are colorful and vibrant enough to keep younger audiences engaged without triggering the eye-rolling of the older folks. The character models are fit for the task, and though they may not win any awards for realism, they represent our favorite little green-clad hero and his funky alien friends well enough to invoke some feelings of fan service. Just don't expect photorealism on your DS; that's a whole different level we're not ready for yet.
In summary, 'Ben 10: Protector of Earth' provides a solidly entertaining experience for younger audiences and diehard fans of the series. The gameplay is engaging-combining platforming, brawling, and puzzle-solving elements while allowing players the joy of becoming some of the coolest aliens in the cartoon universe. However, it doesn't manage to break out of the 'kids only' category and might leave older gamers yearning for something meatier. If you're looking for a game that delivers high-octane kid-friendly fun set against the backdrop of adorable baddies and even more adorable aliens, this is your jam! Overall, if Ben's green wrist device has had a significant impact on your childhood, you'll want to give this outing a whirl. And if the thought of punching things as an inflatable, fire-spewing alien excites you, then 'Ben 10: Protector of Earth' should fit nicely into your Nintendo DS collection - right next to that collection of ridiculously small batteries you keep forgetting to buy a charger for. Happy gaming, folks!