Order Up!!
By Marc Saltzman,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Fun, accessible cooking sim teaches international dishes.
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Order Up!!
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What’s It About?
You're a chef (and restaurateur) who must prepare dishes in a timely manner. You'll receive an order, such as a hamburger and fries, and you'll need to grill the meat on both sides (without serving it undercooked or burnt), keep an eye on the deep fryer, and prepare toppings, too. While you can use a regular PlayStation 3 (PS3) controller, the game supports the motion-sensing PlayStation Move, so you can perform a chopping motion in front of the television to slice tomatoes or peel lettuce by moving the controller back and forth, horizontally. You must juggle more than one dish at the same time. The game features multiple restaurants and dishes, so you'll be whipping up omelets, making burritos, boiling pasta, roasting duck, and plating lamb kabobs before you know it. Each action per dish is graded, therefore the higher your score, the better your tips. Money allows you to hire staff (to perform various tasks for you), purchase better equipment (such as a faster oven), and upgrade your menu to expand your selection. Your goal is to earn stars for your restaurant, unlock new establishments, and, of course, keep patrons happy -- and food critics, too.
Is It Any Good?
For the most part, Order Up!! is a good game for those who like time-management games. While the game isn't exactly fresh -- Order Up!! first debuted on the Nintendo Wii back in 2008, followed by an Apple iOS version a few months ago -- it's a fun, humorous, and family-friendly game. Along with support for the PlayStation Move controller, this PS3 version of the game adds optional 3D graphics (on compatible televisions) and split-screen multiplayer modes (play with someone beside you, cooperatively or competitively), as well as mini-games and trophies. But keep in mind, the game can get a bit tedious and repetitive after a while. While you're preparing new dishes all the time, most of the core cooking tasks remain the same. You might have your fill after an hour or two, but the "dangling carrot" that draws you back is to ability to expand your restaurant empire, unlock new recipes, and meet funny characters you must cater to. If you're not sure if this game is for you -- and you own an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad -- download the free Order Up!! To Go at the App Store for a taste of what to expect in the full-featured PS3 version.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the developers were able to put fun into the job of cooking. Given the repetitive nature of such a game, what did they do to introduce fun and fresh elements? What would you do if you made this game?
Time management games are all about creating frenetic environments and making them fun. What is your favorite time management game? How about time management apps?
Game Details
- Platforms: Nintendo 3DS , Nintendo Wii , PlayStation 3
- Subjects: Language & Reading : following directions, Hobbies : cooking, Science : energy, motion, physics, Social Studies : the economy
- Skills: Health & Fitness : balanced diet, Self-Direction : achieving goals, time management, working efficiently, Thinking & Reasoning : applying information, decision-making, strategy
- Available online?: Not available online
- Release date: February 28, 2012
- Genre: Simulation
- Topics: Cooking and Baking
- ESRB rating: E for Comic Mischief
- Last updated: August 29, 2016
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