Cooking Mama (DS) Review
Posted by Ramon Aranda on 09.20.2006
Lllllllllet's get ready to coooooooook!!
Title: Cooking Mama
Publisher: Taito/Majesco
Type: Simulation
Players: 1
When the Nintendo DS started gaining momentum, everyone and their mama (no pun intended) came up with all sorts of quirky game ideas that would utilize the stylus. I recall about a year ago speaking amongst some co-workers that I thought of proposing a game idea to a few pubishers about a cooking simulation for the DS. A sim that would allow players to choose from different recipes and to use the stylus like a kitchen knife, spoon, etc.
Looks like I got beat to it! Cooking Mama has finally been released and I've put it to the test. Miso soup anyone?
Graphics
Cooking Mama looks about as graphically impressive as a bowl of spinach. Not much in the graphics department mind you and some may complain that it's a bit on the kiddy side, but I don't think it matters. Players can easily differentiate between food and condiments and it's simple graphics make it more enjoyable.
Gameplay
Anyone that owns Warioware Touched should be very familiar with the gameplay of this game. Users will make up and down motions to cut vegetables, click and drag items and of course all while on the clock. The game features tutorials and of course Mama herself will tell you before each step what you need to do to make her meal taste great. In minutes, anyone will get the hang of Cooking Mama and will be making pizza to eat.
Sound
Meat sizzling, cutting carrots, those are examples of sound effects you'll be hearing. Expect simple sounds for a simple game.
Lasting Appeal
The game features over 62 different recipes and also gives you the option to make your own so there should be no running out of food to make anytime soon. A la Warioware, you'll be repeating some of the recipes to better your score, or to practice for the real thing.
Fun Factor
The minute I opened up the case to the second I inserted it into my DS, I did not put it down. It's fun to learn recipes and even more fun to put them to use. Non gamers and gamers alike will have a good time trying to beat each other's scores and making the most delicious foods.
The 411
At $19.99 this makes yet another quality and affordable title for the Nintendo DS library. There have already been numerous reports of DS fans that have been having a really hard time getting a hold of this game, and many retailers such as EB Games have it on backorder. (Ironically I picked it up at a EB Games store this weekend)
Don't be a fool and pass this game up as it won't let you or your DS-Lite down!
Graphics
6.0
Simple but effective.
Gameplay
7.5
Fun and easy to handle.
Sound
6.0
Sound effects are effective.
Lasting Appeal
8.0
Tons of recipes, high scores to beat, what more do you want?
Fun Factor
9.0
You won't find me in the kitchen cooking too often, but damned if I'm not on the DS doing so!
