Nintendo is always on the path to finding a niche market and achieving the status as king of it. So far, in the area of handheld "pick up and play" games, they are king. Electroplankton, Tetris DS, Bomberman DS and many more are a few examples of their idea of games that can be played by everyone. Newly added to that list is the somewhat hard to find Cooking Mama.
With all the attention the game has gotten, how does it fare in the kitchen? According to IGN, it does okay. They only gave it an even 7. The basic message is that while Cooking Mama does a great job of being a "pick up and play" title, it doesn't have much to offer other than simple task by task meals with extra recipes to unlock.
If you are looking for intense, sweaty chef action -- don't look here. This game won't make you a better cook either. It's just actions like slicing, dicing and stirring in rhythm to make mama proud. Which we all want to do, right?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-20-2006 @ 9:05AM
lolersticks said...
What the hell is it with reviewers and this game? Most people I talk to love Cooking Mama, even if it is a little short. Gamespot is the perfect example of this; "We Say: 6.9. You Say: 8.4"
Reply
9-20-2006 @ 11:06AM
pixelator said...
"Tetris DS, Bomberman DS and many more are a few examples of their idea of games that can be played by everyone."
Those games weren't Nintendo's ideas. Bomberman didn't even arrive on the portable scene until much later in its long life.
As for the critics, it's a question of whether spending your recreation time playing a cooking game appeals or not. It can be as cute and engaging as can be, but it's not going be everyone's 'cup of tea' so to speak.
Reply
9-20-2006 @ 11:59AM
20XX said...
So, pixelator, you think that the subject matter is what's putting off reviewers, and not the gameplay?
Reply
9-20-2006 @ 2:40PM
moominsean said...
I was excited about the game, and was underwhelmed upon playing it. It's kind of interesting, but it's not particularly fun. I felt like I was just doing it to do it, with no real sense of 'wow, I'm enjoying myself!" Plus, some of the tasks, like peeling, are really frustrating, so I avoid those recipes. It's not bad, just kind of a lot of the same...and with no real incentive to do a recipe more than a couple times. Now, I was dubious about Pokemon Mystery Dungeon and am actually enjoying it quite a bit!
Reply
9-20-2006 @ 6:08PM
Neko Tsukimi said...
I don't know what people are expecting in this game. The uber-cuteness, the simplicity, the price... Overall with all that, I'd expect a game that entertains me but not for a long long time. Just something I can enjoy now with a quick payoff. Although... I'm still waiting for my copy. I'll enjoy it since it reminds me of some similar GBA games I loved.
Reply
9-21-2006 @ 12:45PM
Matt said...
Looo, that's like LocoRoco. "We say: 5.0 You Say: 9.9999999"
I never had high hopes for this game, yet 4CR has some kind of obsession with it...
Reply
9-23-2006 @ 11:19AM
soul4sale said...
"Intense, sweaty chef action?"
Bleah...
Reply