The once hyped "2 1/2 D" action is almost nowhere to be found in Yoshi’s Story. It’s simply a fairly standard 2D side scroller with nicely rendered graphics. Period. There are some things that make it stand out though. The analog Control Stick eliminates the need for a run button and makes aiming Yoshi’s eggs a cinch. Also unique to the game is the fact that the levels are without an end goal to reach. Instead, you wander the level in search of 30 pieces of fruit. Once you find and eat them, the stage ends. After some stages, you’ll face a boss that can be beaten by hitting it’s vulnerable spot with eggs.

What really makes Yoshi’s Story stand out is the story and atmosphere. I have never seen a video game so deprived of anything objectionable. In fact, the only objectionable thing in the game is that the plot is so idealistic. The game centers around making the Yoshi’s happy. If they eat enough fruit and get happy enough their happiness will overwhelm the evil Baby Bowser and happiness will triumph. The bad guys are often as cutesy as the good guys, making it difficult to distinguish friend from foe in many circumstances. The sound and music are also unbelievably upbeat and cartoony. Check out this sample (192K) to hear a sample of the Yoshi’s at their happiest...

Yoshi’s Story isn’t difficult, and most gamers should be able to play through the easiest game path without any problem whatsoever. What’s really annoying is that the game only saves one game, so you have to completely finish (or erase) a game in progress to play through a different path. When I say "finish," I mean to complete the current game all the way to Baby Bowser. All in all, if you take your time, try for the game’s goal of eating 30 identical melon-fruits in a row on each level, and shoot for the more difficult levels, things will be more tricky. The problem is that the game may not hold the interest of older gamers long enough for them to bother. I know it didn’t hold mine. It was just too repetitive, annoyingly cutesy and it didn’t have the kind of challenge that I enjoy in a 2D game.

For younger gamers who didn’t grow up in the age of the 2D side scroller, Yoshi’s Story is an ideal game. It has solid control, decent replay value, non-violent gameplay, and it’s simply an all around great game for kids. For older gamers, however, there’s really no reason to check out Yoshi’s Story unless you’re curious to see the most hoaky, cutesy game ever made.