 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Boing! Docomodake
- Nintendo DS
- Price: $19.99
- Genre: Action/Adventure
Common Sense Media says
Cute platform puzzle game needs a better tutorial.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is a game in which you play as the mascot of a Japanese cell phone company. But this consumerism won't be apparent to kids in the U.S. While this game looks like a cute kids'
game that's simple to play, certain levels can be somewhat maddening. Some
children will love the challenge. Others may be frustrated.
What's it about?
Docomodake is the cute, very recognizable mascot for the Japan's huge mobile
phone operator, NTT Docomo. Thankfully, we don't know him as a marketing tool
here in the U.S.,
rather he is just as a cuddly new game character. In BOING! DOCOMODAKE, you control Papa,
a huge, colorful mushroom, on his adventurous quest through verdant
environments to find his missing family members. Papa wants to find his brood in time to enjoy the annual village festival.
The game mixes use of the DS touch screen with the D-pad and
buttons. Although the tutorial is confusing, you basically move Docomodake
through short levels full of climbing, jumping, flipping switches, and searching
for treasure. You're graded at the end of each level, which also records the
speed in which you finish it. The game's unique feature is that the fat fungi
slims down and splits into many other fungi, enabling you to use them as platforms on which to jump and as bridges. Tap the big guy repeatedly to release a number of little
ones. To bring them back into Docomodake, tap the hand above his head twice. But if a
mini Docomodake is away from its host for over 10 seconds, it will faint.
Is it any good?
What's charming about the game is its youth-oriented artwork,
it's hopeful soundtrack (albeit repetitive), and some enjoyable platform action. While kids will
only spend about 10 hours to finish Boing! Docomodake, the game can be a
pleasure, especially when you use some of the coins you collect to unlock songs
and artwork. Yet playing is not a delight from the get-go.
Unfortunately Boing! Docomodake lacks a
proper in-game tutorial. What's present is a confusing mish-mosh of Powerpoint-like directions which
barely give you an idea of how to use the touch screen and the various mini
Docomodake. Even the manual's tutorial is confusing. You'll get the idea after a
while of playing by yourself. But many may be frustrated before the game
even begins. Sometimes, tapping Docomodake does not result in the release of
minis. Plus, once you do start up, some of the levels can be very
difficult for a child or even an adult to get through. That's too bad because
the $19.99 price is alluring, especially because U.S. audiences don't know
Docomodake is a marketing tool. Just be prepared for a learning curve.
What families can talk about
Parents can talk about why would a company make a game featuring the mascot of a Japanese cell phone company? What it would be like to live in Docomodake's
world. Who is your favorite Docomodake family character, Mama, Papa or the shy
Junior High Docomodake? Do you like playing as a mushroom? Why or why not?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
| Platforms: | Nintendo DS |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Developer: | Ignition Entertainment |
| Release date: | March 10, 2009 |
| Price: | $19.99 |
| ESRB rating: | E for (No Descriptors) |
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