Time Tunnel 2006: American Dragon: Jake Long – Attack of the Dark Dragon. “He’s cool, he’s sizzling, just like the frozen solar, he’s younger and quick, he’s the chosen one, individuals we’re not braggin’, he’s the American Dragon, he’s gonna cease his enemies along with his dragon energy, dragon tooth, dragon tail, burning dragon fireplace, an actual stay wire, American Dragon, American Dragon, he’s the American Dragon, freestyle with dragon, abilities are gettin’ quicker, with grandpa the grasp, it’s future, yo wassup G, present time child the legacy, American Dragon, ‘From the J to A, to the K, to the E, I’m the mack daddy dragon of the NYC. Ya heard?!’

Article by Wing See Li – comply with on Twitter: xflowerstarx

American Dragon, American Dragon” People that watched the Disney Channel cartoon, American Dragon: Jake Long, in 2005 will know this nostalgic-provoking theme tune off by coronary heart. Even to today, I nonetheless bear in mind all the lyrics of it.

This goes to indicate how extremely memorable and insanely catchy it’s, to not point out it’s one of many many theme songs that stand the check of time. Though the Season 2 model of this tune is a bit of bit completely different however with altered lyrics. In my opinion, I consider something is taken into account to be old-school if they’re ten years previous or over ten years previous.

Basically American Dragon: Jake Long is a couple of 13-year-old Chinese-American boy named Jacob Luke “Jake” Long who’s main a double life as a seemingly, regular teenage boy and because the magical protector of New York City, saving and preventing towards legendary creatures each day. He didn’t uncover his dragon powers till he reached the age of 13. With nice energy comes nice accountability.

Apparently, his mum’s (Susan Long) aspect of the household are dragons however his mum’s dragon powers skipped her technology. Aided by his allies corresponding to Luong “Grandpa/Gramps” Lao Shi (his identify truly means “teacher” in Cantonese. He is Jake’s grandfather and Dragon Master), Fu Dog (a 600-year-old Shar Pei canine, Lao Shi’s long-time good friend and Jake’s animal guardian), Trixie Carter and Arthur P. Spudinski, he defends his metropolis from his enemies just like the Huntsman, Huntsclan, Huntsgirl (Rose’s alter ego), Dark Dragon, Chang (Lao Shi’s ex-love curiosity, Dark Dragon’s right-hand lady and the previous member of the Dragon Council), Eli Pandarus (a villainous, however good-looking, human wizard), Professor Hans Rotwood (Jake’s loopy mythological trainer who’s obsessive about exposing his true identification to the scientific neighborhood and the general public) and so forth and making an attempt to maintain his secret identification a secret from his human father, Johnathan Long, his adversaries and the people all of the whereas.

The Dragon Council (an enormous group of respectful, revered dragons that govern the magical neighborhood all internationally) assign a dragon to every metropolis on the earth and a Dragon Master should prepare his or her pupil in an effort to put together the soon-to-be protector to defend a metropolis and something that lies forward. In different phrases, every dragon represents his or her metropolis or nation. Similar to the Spyro the Dragon collection, many of the dragons are thought of to be the great guys and only some dragons are an exception to the rule. As for American Dragon: Jake Long – Attack of the Dark Dragon, the story goes like this… the Dark Dragon (the primary enemy of the magical world and the Dragon Council) kidnapped Rose (Jake’s love curiosity) and is holding her hostage in his darkish, evil realm.

Fortunately for her, Jake is decided to avoid wasting her. To assist him in his quest to rescue her from his enemy’s sinister clutches, his grandfather entrusts him with an historical dragon artefact referred to as the dragon pendant. This sacred pendant permits Jake to channel his focus into powers of dragon flame (the potential of taking pictures giant fireballs from his mouth), dragon scales (this bestows him the facility of invincibility) and dragon wings (the flexibility of flight).

The pendant didn’t totally grow to be energetic till Jake picked up a chunk of the aforesaid pendant (which Rose stole from her captor) together with the be aware Rose left behind at Central Park within the evening. Now with it in his possession, he can use it to its full potential. Along the best way, he enlists the assistance from his devoted allies corresponding to Lao Shi, Fu Dog, Trixie and Spud. Judging by the drawing type, this sport is about throughout Season 1 or after Season 1 and previous to Season 2. Do you wish to hear my recommendation? I like to recommend you to look at the cartoon to know the occasions and the story that unfold on this sport.

Back in 2006, there are two American Dragon: Jake Long video video games which are entitled, “American Dragon: Jake Long – Rise of the Huntsclan”, for the Game Boy Advance and “American Dragon: Jake Long – Attack of the Dark Dragon” for the Nintendo DS regardless of American Dragon: Jake Long aired in 2005.

Although, these video games are printed by Buena Vista Games and consider it or not, MannerForward developed them. These days, this growing firm is well-known for the Shantae collection. It’s nonetheless onerous to consider I found MannerForward’s potential ten years in the past! Boy, I really feel so previous now!

Even although this online game is considered one of my favorite video video games, it didn’t make it in my Top 10 favorite video video games.

Here are my Top 10 Favourite Video Games in the event you’re questioning:

1. Super Mario 64 2. Mario Kart 7 3. Mario Kart Wii 4. Spyro 3: Year of the Dragon 5. Spyro 2: Gateway To Glimmer 6. Spyro The Dragon 7. Super Mario Galaxy 8. Super Mario Galaxy 2 9. Super Princess Peach 10. The Powerpuff Girls: Chemical X-Traction (PlayStation One model)

Speaking of Spyro, there are occasions when American Dragon: Jake Long – Attack of the Dark Dragon performs like a Classic Spyro sport like for instance the 3D flying ranges and hovering via the (small) rings in these aforementioned ranges. They will remind anybody of flying via the speedways or flight ranges within the Spyro the Dragon trilogy. I’ll elaborate on these flying phases afterward on this article.

Anyway, taking part in as a dragon is nothing new because it’s been performed earlier than throughout the 90’s, particularly when the principle protagonist is a dragon. Looking again to 1998, Spyro the Dragon is the primary sport the place I performed as a dragon for the primary time, it’s my first foray into fantasy and it made me within the fantasy style within the first place, when it comes to fiction, cartoons, video video games and so on.

Since I haven’t performed Battle Mode earlier than in my life, contemplating it’s tough or not possible to play it with out mates so sadly, I can’t clarify about it. However, after studying the instruction booklet, I realised it’s similar to the flying phases, sans the enemies. However, the gameplay and the targets or duties are barely completely different.

During the solo journey, these flying phases remind me of the flight ranges and the speedways from Spyro the Dragon, Spyro 2: Gateway To Glimmer, Spyro 3: Year of the Dragon, Spyro: Season of Ice, Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly and Spyro: A Hero’s Tail, when it comes to the rings, flying across the phases and blasting on the ten enemies with fireplace breath. Soaring across the ranges and thru rings is nothing new, seeing as I’ve performed this quite a few occasions earlier than throughout my childhood, gaming smart.

Within these phases, I’ve been tasked with flying round an space whereas taking pictures down a myriad of magical creature foes starting from propeller trolls to shadow dragons (or reasonably “Shade Demons”, as they’re recognized within the cartoon). In each flying stage, there are rings (which are scattered via mentioned space) that I can fly via. The crimson rings supplies me a sudden burst of velocity for a brief time frame and the inexperienced rings boosts the facility of the fireplace breath. Once all the enemies are eradicated, I clear the stage and I proceed to the following stage of the journey.

The journey begins with Jake utilizing the lavatory when his grandpa, Lao Shi, and Jake’s animal guardian, Fu Dog, warned him there are trolls wreaking havoc within the streets of New York City. This causes him to depart his home to research and discover out who’s behind the full-blown assault. It initially begins out as a typical romp via the town however as the hunt progressed and the story unfolds, it will definitely turns into a wild goose chase because of the Huntsman accusing Jake and his allies of seizing Rose (unusually sufficient, she is referred because the Huntsman’s “daughter” however within the cartoon, he’s her “uncle”) they usually initially presumed he’s the one who launched a full-on assault on the municipality.

It’s like going from door to door. Not solely does Jake have to seek for Rose and save her earlier than it’s too late, he additionally should persuade the Huntsman he’s harmless. Later on within the escapade, it seems why the Huntsman sends his cronies after Jake and his companions are as a result of he assumed they took Rose.

Sadly, it purchased the Dark Dragon on a regular basis he wanted to construct up his shadow dragon military. After eradicating the Nix on high of the Statue of Liberty, Jake, Fu, Lao Shi and the Huntsman made a brief truce they usually travelled to the Dark Dragon’s hideout. On the opposite hand, Trixie and Spud made the choice to stay behind in New York City, disturbed by their buddies and their sworn enemy quickly placing their variations apart with the aim of working collectively to cease a higher evil. When Jake confronted the Dark Dragon after venturing deeper and deeper in his evil area, Lao Shi and Fu Dog are ensnared in intensive, concentrated darkish power. He demanded the principle villain to launch his allies however he refused which resulted within the remaining showdown to start.

After rising victorious, Jake launched Rose from her imprisonment and the Dark Dragon fled from the battlefield in defeat and disbelief however not earlier than inserting a magical lock on the door, stopping the protagonists from following him. Luckily, Jake had gathered all ten dragon tokens throughout his journey. This prompted the magical seal to be lifted and Lao Shi and Fu Dog ordered him to go after the Dark Dragon and a tumultuous, aerial battle ensued. Therefore, it counts because the second spherical of their duel, which decides the destiny of the magical world and New York City.

After the Dark Dragon’s demise, Jake returned to his allies and Rose the place they congratulated on his victory. He in addition to Fu Dog anticipated him to obtain a kiss from Rose however she given him a coupon for dance classes as a substitute, a lot to his disappointment.

However, their togetherness or date should wait for the reason that Huntsman had different plans. Despite no smooch from her, it isn’t all for naught since he saved her within the nick of time earlier than the reminiscence potion worn off. The subsequent day, Spud and Trixie joined Jake, Fu and Lao Shi on high of the Statue of Liberty, reconstructing her as a part of their neighborhood service. Jake complained and protested about losing his time fixing the statue however depart it to his grandpa to scold him and informing him to mirror on what he have performed.

That’s when Jake determined to ditch his punishment after pretending to make use of the “Ear of the Dragon” to excuse himself from it. Afterwards, his grandfather known as after him, reminding him about tomorrow’s dragon coaching session. In response, Jake ended the story with the notorious phrase and the doable working gag of the cartoon, “Oh, maaaaaan!!”. The worlds are cut up into numerous ranges like New York City, the streets, the skies of the town, Central Park (that is the place Jake is meant to fulfill up with Rose on a date however sadly, the Dark Dragon captured her simply earlier than Jake arrived), Fillmore Middle School, Jersey Bridge, the subway, the New York bridges, the Water Treatment Plant, the docks, the Statue of Liberty, the Dark Dragon’s evil darkish realm and so forth.

In phrases of the cutscenes, this sport marries each the 2D and 3D artwork types and methods fairly nicely, provided that the characters are seen over the 3D background of the locations in New York City and of the Dark Dragon’s ominous, intimidating and shadowy lair, due to the black thick define surrounding them to make them stand out.

Sometimes, I discover myself chuckling or laughing on the humour that’s conveyed within the character’s speeches from the cutscenes. Like as an illustration, Lao Shi yelled after his grandson whilst he reminded him about tomorrow’s rigorous dragon coaching session when he fled from neighborhood service in direction of the top of the sport. “Tomorrow morning! 5 a.m. for hard training! That’s when! And I know you can hear me!” In response, Jake groaned out the notorious phrase, “Oh, maaaaaan!!”.

At least, the humour, the well-written dialogue/sport script, good character portrayal (everyone seems to be in character from their speech patterns to the best way they communicate and they’re appearing like how they need to be) and the soundtrack make up for the issues I identified.

Nothing says “I love you” like traversing via New York City whereas always participating in numerous scuffles with the henchmen of the Huntsman and the Dark Dragon’s shadow military with the aim of rescuing Jake’s sweetheart, Rose. The underlings are minor annoyances compared to the bosses. The controls felt clunky (controlling Jake or the American Dragon appears like shifting a tank) and stiff, leaping from one platform or spot to the following is tedious, overused and time-consuming, the digital camera had a small quantity of points however on the brilliant aspect, the digital camera angle actions didn’t trigger movement illness and since this sport is a 3D, linear side-scrolling platformer, there may be restricted house to reap the benefits of in relation to preventing off the minor minions and something the principle antagonists can throw at me. Concerning the quantity of house, it’s a slight enchancment to the slender house between an enemy and me in Rise of the Huntsclan.

However when utilizing the hover means because the American Dragon, I can’t fly in any course I want versus how I’m in a position to soar freely within the flying phases. In American Dragon: Jake Long – Rise of the Huntsclan, I could make use of the skateboard in distinction to the very fact it’s absent from the Nintendo DS model.

On that be aware, in Rise of the Huntsclan, I’ve the flexibility to summon Lao Shi, Fu Dog, Trixie and Spud in an effort to support me in battle. Oddly sufficient, the Huntsman is ridiculously robust to beat in comparison with the issue stage after I’m concerned in scuffles with him in Attack of the Dark Dragon. Plus, in Rise of the Huntsclan, the bosses have a tendency to begin out by standing on the appropriate aspect of the display earlier than me and her or him lashed out at one another. In addition, I recall having many encounters and confrontations with Huntsgirl. Out of the 2 video games, I say I choose Attack of the Dark Dragon, primarily as a result of it’s a teeny bit simpler, it’s the form of sport I can replay as many occasions as I need and I even have fond reminiscences of it, regardless of the noticeable flaws. When I’m taking part in as Jake Long, I’ve a restricted arsenal of strikes corresponding to shifting utilizing the D Pad, leaping utilizing the B Button (holding it down will trigger Jake to leap increased), punching by pushing the Y button (if I’m urgent it a number of occasions in fast succession after I’m close to one of many Huntsman’s or the Dark Dragon’s underlings, I’ll execute a mixture of punches and kicks), urgent the down button of the D Pad and X or Y buttons permits me to kick low, the down button of the Control Pad and the B Button lets me to drop via a smooth ground beneath me and final however not least, the A button permits me to kick.

The crimson circle with a yellow spark on the centre is named a Max Attack that the enemies generally drop when they’re defeated. According to Lao Shi, I can maintain as much as three of them directly they usually can solely be utilized in dragon kind. I have a tendency to make use of them within the irritating ranges such because the subway and the Statue of Liberty. The mild blue spark subsequent to the Max Attack object is named a spotlight level. Opponents let go of them when they’re vanquished. Each time they’re collected, the centre space of the pendant is crammed a bit extra at a progressive price. Once the pendant reaches its most, it should flash and I’m in a position to contact the round dragon icon on the underside display to remodel into the American Dragon. Either I select between touching the icon or shouting “Dragon up!” into the microphone. Occasionally, I come throughout crimson dragon-shaped objects and if I accumulate them, I achieve one other life by one. Also, there are occasions when enemies depart little or massive hearts on the bottom as parting presents. The small ones replenish the well being bar a tad bit and the big ones refill mentioned bar rather a lot. 

The instantaneous I remodel into the American Dragon, three dragon means icons immediately seem on the sting of the pendant as focus level meter slowly depletes over time. It decreases a lot quicker if I used superior strikes but it surely isn’t drained when my foes assault or ambush me. To forestall the meter from decreasing, I have to proceed to gather focus factors by trouncing my adversaries.

These are the three dragon capabilities that I can use at my disposal as proven under:

• Dragon Fire – Red is the color of Jake’s dragon flame. This means permits me to shoot gigantic fireballs that cut back enemies into piles of smouldering ashes and burns down colossal crates.

• Dragon scales – Yellow is the color of Jake’s underbelly scales. This means grants me the flexibility of non permanent invincibility, letting me to stroll via smoke and stone gargoyles’ fireplace unscathed.

• Dragon Wings – Green represents Jake’s spines. This means permits me to unfold my wings and fly up and down as a substitute in all instructions.

When the time is up, I revert again to my human kind. Throughout the journey, I’ve to play as Jake in his human kind. In order to pick out a dragon energy to make use of, I have to drag it to the highest of the pendant utilizing the contact display or the R Button. For instance, if I desired to make use of fireplace, I have to rotate the crimson icon to the highest of the pendant. I can solely utilise one dragon means at a time. To make use of the chosen dragon talent, I can both contact the icon or press the X Button.

When I’m taking part in because the American Dragon, the quantity of the skills I’ve elevated tenfold. Not to say, I also can prolong the usage of my extraordinary dragon powers by filling them up with focus factors. The talents are as follows: the Control Pad permits me to maneuver left or proper, the Y button lets me to carry out the melee mixture (this happens after I’m face-to-face with an enemy, in any other case this combo is rendered null and void), the X Button ends in the present magic to be activated (the one positioned on the high of the pendant), the B Button causes me to leap, urgent the A Button lets Jake to shoot a collection of fireside sparks from his mouth in a horizontal course whereas he’s in mid-air, urgent the A Button and the Control Pad Down button causes Jake to unleash a storm of diagonal spark blasts, pushing the Y Button when Jake is within the air will end in a diagonal downward kick sprint (this transfer proves to be useful in relation to taking over an considerable enemies directly when being outnumbered. Furthermore, I can strike many enemies with a combo assault), holding down the L or R Buttons will rotate the pendant left or proper (alternatively, I can faucet and pull on the underside display to spin the pendant which is the strategy I choose to make use of) and eventually, pushing the A button unleashes the Max Attack, producing a spark blast (this may be carried out when tapping the Max Attack icon which may be noticed on the backside left nook of the contact display) if I’m overwhelmed by the mass of enemies ganging up on me.

The dragon pendant didn’t grow to be totally energetic till Jake obtained a chunk of it that’s hooked up to the be aware Rose dropped at Central Park. There are six slots on the dragon pendant: three dragon energy icons and three dragon stone icons. These stones may be collected in no specific order and they’re saved within the particular necklace and these stones are available in three colors: blue, purple and orange. Touching them on the underside display prompts them. Like as an illustration, after I contact a colored dragon stone, it sends a blast of that color throughout the display and the clear, mystical platforms grow to be stable upon contact. For occasion, there are clear blue platforms that may be seen floating over a physique of water. To change them into stable blue blocks, I have to contact a blue-tinted dragon stone on my pendant. Throughout the sport, the soundtrack consists of music tracks which are a mix of hip-hop and oriental. The soundtrack itself is pretty forgettable however there are a couple of music tracks that stand out to me from the remaining. Two of my favorite music tracks are within the first stage of the Dark Dragon’s evil realm and throughout the ending credit. Not solely that, however I’ve seen the sport undergoes a repetitive sample: firstly, a traditional stage, secondly, a flying stage and thirdly, a boss battle and rinse and repeat. After every of them is accomplished, the sport auto-saves.

Interestingly sufficient, Clancy Brown voiced the Dark Dragon within the cartoon. Back then throughout the 90’s, he supplied his voice for among the dragons from Spyro the Dragon so him voicing dragons, whether or not they’re good or evil, is nothing new and particular. Although in each American Dragon: Jake Long – Attack of the Dark Dragon and the Game Boy Advance model, there isn’t any voice appearing in anyway.

Most of the boss fights in Attack of the Dark Dragon usually contain a round enviornment or house with the boss on the centre aside from the true remaining showdown with the Dark Dragon. Unluckily, the quantity of house is restricted and restricted so it suits completely on the highest display. I’m utilizing my expertise of the tumultuous skirmish towards the Dark Dragon for example to explain what a boss conflict is like. Looking again to my first playthrough of the aerial face-off, I weren’t anticipating it in any respect however I couldn’t assist myself however be reminded of the larger-than-life and exhilarating aerial battle towards Ripto from Spyro 2: Gateway To Glimmer. Pretty a lot, the Classic Spyro collection is extra like, “Dragons vs. Dinosaurs”. Back to the topic, not like the primary spherical of the duel with the Dark Dragon, the second and remaining spherical takes place within the sky. It’s revealed he isn’t fairly completed but and I needed to attempt to blast him out of the sky. In this battle, I needed to give it my all and we have been exchanging volley after volley of fireballs, a stream of sparks and big fireballs respectively. Neither of us is refusing to give up and it’s like a struggle to the demise till both of us is left standing. The most annoying factor is he retains disappearing (or teleporting) in a puff of darkish smoke each time I attempted to strategy him and intention my torrent of miniature sparks at him.

Therefore this battle just isn’t actually difficult, it’s truly time-consuming. In response, he counteracted by firing steady volleys of gigantic green-coloured fireballs in my course, to which I tried to evade them by flying out of hurt’s means however there are occasions after I did not keep away from them on account of me being impatient and my impulsiveness getting the perfect of me. This left me broad open to an assault from the opposing aspect. Seconds changed into minutes and minutes changed into hours. After efficiently nailing innumerable hits on him, he materialises in the course of the world and breathes a stream of his dragon breath or some kind of an especially lengthy beam at me with out hesitation, to which I keep away from with ease. I then countered his assaults by swooping in and unleashing a torrent of tiny sparks at his weak spots, most probably in his chest or higher torso and in direction of his underbelly scales. We saved exchanging assaults and assaults till I ultimately prevailed. He continued to flash and he’s engulfed in incalculable quantity of black and purple puffs of smoke till he lastly dissipated into nothingness. With that, I flew again to the place my allies are ready for me they usually praised me on my success and the remaining is historical past. Just like all the opposite remaining boss conflicts, it normally takes greater than some time or quite a few hours to her or him in.

Back then in 2006, I can solely end the sport in a handful or a number of days or even weeks after I was a youngster on the time. Fast-forward to 2016 and I can full it in a day similar to Spyro the Dragon. Unfortunately, the Nix (or the “snake” because it’s recognized within the sport) nonetheless proved to be a problem to defeat similar to prior to now, contemplating it takes extra hits than the earlier bosses and it takes greater than some time to anticipate its assault sample. Regarding 2006, I solely managed to gather many of the dragon tokens, which prompted completely different photos to be introduced on each the highest and backside screens. I vaguely bear in mind a picture of Jake, who’s accompanied by Lao Shi and Fu Dog; sitting round one of many tables within the again room of the Canal Street Electronics store appeared on the contact display. As for the message that may be seen on the highest display, I can barely bear in mind what it mentioned. Still to today, this is without doubt one of the finest video games I’ve performed that stars a dragon as the principle protagonist and featured dragons as the principle magical creatures.

I consider this sport holds as much as at the moment, whatever the outdated graphics and admittedly, tedious and time-consuming platform-hopping. But to be trustworthy, I by no means give a hoot about graphics within the first place and I solely cared concerning the necessary features of video games.

If you’re a fan of American Dragon: Jake Long or a fan of dragons, then it is best to give this sport a strive. Unluckily, the replay worth is on the brief aspect and also you received’t get extra out of it, seeing as there isn’t a post-game quest.

Article by Wing See Li – comply with on Twitter: xflowerstarx

Some photos from the sport (outer field photograph from Wing See Li) and rationalization:

This sport is considered one of my favorite video games for the Nintendo DS:

As the again of the field suggests, it’s apparent who the principle characters are:

Sometimes I discover myself singing or buzzing the theme tune:

The music monitor within the ending credit is considered one of my favourites from the soundtrack:

All’s nicely that ends nicely, now Rose is secure and sound at Fillmore Middle School: