{{short description|2006 video game for the Nintendo DS}} {{Infobox video game | title = ''Point Blank DS'' | image = Point Blank DS Coverart.png | alt = | caption = North American cover art. | developer = Namco Bandai Games | publisher = {{vgrelease|JP/NA|Namco Bandai Games}}{{efn|Released under the Namco brand in Japan.}}{{vgrelease|EU|Atari Europe<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.videogamer.com/news/atari-to-publish-point-blank-ds-in-europe/ | title=Atari to publish Point Blank DS in Europe | date=28 June 2006 | access-date=3 June 2024 | archive-date=8 January 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108015852/https://www.videogamer.com/news/atari-to-publish-point-blank-ds-in-europe/ | url-status=live }}</ref>}} | producer = Nobutaka Nakajima | series = ''Point Blank''<br>''Unō no Tatsujin'' | platforms = Nintendo DS | released = {{vgrelease|JP|May 18, 2006|NA|June 13, 2006|EU|December 8, 2006}} | genre = Lightgun shooter, minigame compilation | modes = Single-player, multiplayer }} '''''Point Blank DS'''''{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo|'''''Unō no Tatsujin: GunBullet Trainer'''''|右脳の達人 ガンバれっトレーナー|''Unō no Tatsujin: Ganbarettorēnā''|Right-Brain Master: GunBullet Trainer}}}} is a 2006 lightgun shooter video game developed and published for the Nintendo DS by Namco Bandai Games. It is the fourth entry in the ''Point Blank'' series, comprising both new stages and ones taken from the first three games. Players use the touch screen to complete a number of different minigames that vary in terms of mechanics, such as protecting an on-screen character or shooting down a specific target.
==Development and release== ''Point Blank DS'' was produced by Nobutaka Nakajima, known for working on projects relating to older Namco video games, including ''Namco Museum Battle Collection'' and ''Pac 'N Roll'', alongside the Xbox Live Arcade digital versions of ''Pac-Man'', ''Galaga'' and ''Dig Dug''.<ref name="Interview">{{cite web |last1=Riley |first1=Adam |title=C3 Exclusive Interview - Namco on Point Blank for Nintendo DS |url=http://www.cubed3.com/news/6479/1/c3-exclusive-interview-namco-on-point-blank-for-nintendo-ds.html |website=Cubed3 |accessdate=27 August 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923040033/http://www.cubed3.com/news/6479/1/c3-exclusive-interview-namco-on-point-blank-for-nintendo-ds.html |archivedate=23 September 2015 |date=18 December 2006}}</ref> Development took around ten months to complete, featuring a team of 25 people.<ref name="Interview"/> Nakajima was interested in the Nintendo DS' hardware capabilities and touch screen controls, thinking that the ''Point Blank'' series could be adapted for play on the handheld.<ref name="Interview"/> Converting the series' gameplay to the DS proved to be an issue from the start, however the team overcame it later on.<ref name="Interview"/> Nakajima noted that should the game sell well, similar "touch shooting" video games could be produced for the DS.<ref name="Interview"/> In Japan, the game was part of Namco Bandai's ''Unō no Tatsujin'' series, which featured quick thinking-based puzzles with cameos by other Namco game characters. ''Point Blank DS'' was released in Japan on May 18, 2006, followed by a North American and European release on June 13. The game was published in Europe by Atari Europe.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.videogamer.com/news/atari-to-publish-point-blank-ds-in-europe/ | title=Atari to publish Point Blank DS in Europe | date=28 June 2006 | access-date=3 June 2024 | archive-date=8 January 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108015852/https://www.videogamer.com/news/atari-to-publish-point-blank-ds-in-europe/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
==Reception== {{Video game reviews | MC = 66/100<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web |title=Point Blank DS for DS Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/point-blank-ds/critic-reviews/?platform=ds |website=Metacritic |accessdate=27 August 2019 |archive-date=3 June 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240603063137/https://www.metacritic.com/game/point-blank-ds/critic-reviews/?platform=ds |url-status=live }}</ref> | GRadar = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="GRadar Review">{{cite web |last1=Elston |first1=Brett |title=Point Blank DS Review |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/point-blank-ds-review/ |website=GamesRadar+ |accessdate=27 August 2019 |date=20 June 2006 |archive-date=16 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816131516/https://www.gamesradar.com/point-blank-ds-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | GPro = 3.75/5<ref name="GamePro Review">{{cite magazine |author1=JohnnyK |title=Review: Point Blank DS for DS |url=http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/ds/games/reviews/64468.shtml |magazine=GamePro |accessdate=27 August 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060714212914/http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/ds/games/reviews/64468.shtml |archivedate=14 July 2006 |date=12 June 2006}}</ref> | GSpot = 7/10<ref name="GSpot Review">{{cite web |last1=Davis |first1=Ryan |title=Point Blank DS Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/point-blank-ds-review/1900-6152832/ |website=GameSpot |accessdate=27 August 2019 |date=16 June 2006 |archive-date=16 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816131511/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/point-blank-ds-review/1900-6152832/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | IGN = 7/10<ref name="IGN Review">{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Craig |title=Point Blank DS |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/06/09/point-blank-ds |publisher=IGN |accessdate=27 August 2019 |date=9 June 2006 |archive-date=16 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816131512/https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/06/09/point-blank-ds |url-status=live }}</ref> }} ''Point Blank DS'' received mixed reviews from critics, with common complaints being towards the game's lack of replay value and for minigames being too similar to each other. It holds a 66/100 on aggregator website Metacritic.<ref name="Metacritic"/>
''GamePro'' expressed disappointment towards the game's lack of depth, saying how it only provides a few hours of play even with the amount of content.<ref name="GamePro Review"/> A similar response was echoed by ''GamesRadar+'', who also criticized the long loading times present in the multiplayer mode.<ref name="GRadar Review"/> ''IGN'' thought the game was shallow in some areas, notably with its low amount of content, and disliked the multiplayer mode's long loading times,<ref name="IGN Review"/> while ''GameSpot'' criticized many of the minigames for being too similar to each other and for the game not having enough variety.<ref name="GSpot Review"/> ''GameSpot'' also labeled the redemption game remakes as "incredibly dull" and disliked its lack of unlockable extras.<ref name="GSpot Review"/>
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}} {{Bandai Namco light gun games}}
Category:2006 video games Category:Bandai Namco games Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games Category:Nintendo DS games Category:Nintendo DS-only games Category:Shooter games Category:Video games developed in Japan