Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Xiaolin Showdown on the Nintendo DS delivers a fast-paced isometric beat ’em up experience that perfectly captures the spirit of the Cartoon Network series. You’ll guide one of the four trainee monks—Omi, Clay, Kimiko, or Raimundo—through a variety of global locales, from the hallowed halls of the Xiaolin Temple to the neon-lit streets of Tokyo. Each stage challenges you to fight your way past unique henchmen, including robot cheerleaders, zombie construction workers, savage tigers, and even tuxedo-wearing gangsters, before reaching a boss showdown.

The core combat revolves around light and heavy attacks, dodges, and character-specific elemental abilities. As you progress, you’ll unlock each monk’s signature moves—Omi’s lightning-fast strikes, Clay’s earth-shaking punches, Kimiko’s energy blasts, and Raimundo’s wind-based combos—adding depth to the straightforward brawling mechanics. The transition into Shen Gong Wu mini-games offers welcome variety: press the right sequence of buttons to activate the Third Arm Sash or survive a rapid-fire button mash to unleash the Star Hanabi. Mastery of these showdowns is vital to obtaining mystical artifacts and pushing the story forward.

Replayability shines through in the branching paths and hidden challenges scattered across each level. Collecting the Two Ton Tunic or the Ban Diang Tunic often requires revisiting previous stages with a different monk, encouraging exploration and experimentation. The DS’s dual screens are cleverly utilized to display maps, health bars, and item cooldowns, ensuring you’re never left guessing your next move. Despite its simplicity, the gameplay loop of battling grunts, securing Wu, and facing mini-game duels remains satisfying throughout.

Graphics

For a Nintendo DS title, Xiaolin Showdown boasts surprisingly vibrant visuals in its isometric perspective. Sprites are colorful and well-defined, giving each monk and enemy distinct silhouettes. Backgrounds range from the serene temples of China to the cluttered apparatus of Jack Spicer’s lab, all rendered with crisp textures that hold up remarkably well on the DS’s lower-resolution screens.

Character animations strike a balance between fluidity and cartoonish exaggeration. Combos feel impactful thanks to clever use of screen shakes and flash effects, while elemental attacks burst with bright, saturated particles. Even minor foes display a range of idle and attack movements, making each encounter feel dynamic rather than repetitive. Cutscenes use still frames and text boxes, but they effectively convey the show’s humor and personality without taxing the hardware.

Performance remains steady throughout most levels, with occasional slowdowns during large Shen Gong Wu summons or intense mini-game sequences. Load times between stages are minimal, ensuring you can jump right back into the action. Overall, the game’s visual presentation succeeds in immersing fans of the series and newcomers alike in the magical world of Xiaolin Showdown.

Story

Drawing directly from the beloved Cartoon Network series, Xiaolin Showdown weaves a lighthearted narrative about four young monks racing to collect the powerful Shen Gong Wu before evil forces can misuse them. Each chapter unfolds in a new location—whether you’re infiltrating Panda Bubba’s hidden compound or venturing inside a mystical dragon’s stomach—keeping the plot fresh and adventurous.

Story segments are delivered through short text-based exchanges, complete with character portraits and expressive dialogue. While the DS’s storage constraints limit fully voiced cutscenes, the writing retains the show’s trademark humor and camaraderie. Jack Spicer’s bumbling schemes and Chase Young’s menacing presence punctuate the journey, motivating players to press on in the face of escalating challenges.

Although the overarching tale is relatively straightforward, side missions and optional challenges deepen the lore by offering glimpses into each monk’s background and elemental training. Collecting all the Shen Gong Wu reveals hidden character interactions and unlocks bonus content, encouraging dedicated players to explore every nook and cranny. For fans of the series, the story serves as an engaging companion piece; for newcomers, it stands on its own as a light, entertaining quest for magical artifacts.

Overall Experience

Xiaolin Showdown for the Nintendo DS offers a compelling blend of beat ’em up action and mini-game showdowns that will appeal to younger players and series enthusiasts. The straightforward controls make it accessible, while the variety of levels and character-specific abilities ensure there’s enough depth to keep you invested. Unlocking all four monks and mastering their elemental powers provides a tangible sense of progression.

The game’s pacing strikes a satisfying middle ground, alternating between combat-heavy stages and frantic Shen Gong Wu duels. This ebb and flow prevents fatigue and maintains engagement over the typical six- to eight-hour campaign length. Multiplayer isn’t supported, but the single-player mode compensates with branching paths and hidden artifacts that extend replay value.

In summary, Xiaolin Showdown on DS successfully translates the energy and whimsy of the TV show into a portable package. While it doesn’t push the DS hardware to its limits, it delivers enjoyable combat, colorful graphics, and a playful storyline that captures the essence of the Xiaolin universe. For collectors of licensed action games or fans of the series, it’s a solid choice that’s well worth exploring.

Retro Replay Score

6.6/10