Summary
- Release Year: 2006
- Genres: Simulator
- Platforms: iOS, Nintendo DS
- Developers: Office Create, Taito
- Publishers: 505 Games, Majesco Entertainment, Taito
Cooking Mama (2006)
Cooking Mama is a cooking simulation game developed by Office Create and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. It was released in Japan in March 2006, in North America in October 2006, and in Europe in November 2006. The game is the first in the Cooking Mama series, and has been followed by several sequels and spin-offs.
Gameplay
The gameplay in Cooking Mama consists of a series of short minigames, each of which represents a different activity in the meal preparation process, such as mixing, frying, or chopping the provided ingredients. The minigame mechanics themselves range from quickly drawing parallel lines in order to chop items, to a rhythm game where ingredients are added to a skillet or the heat is adjusted at precisely the right time. In many cases, players must look at the top screen of the DS for guidance on what to do next and then perform the task on the bottom screen. If the player makes a serious blunder or time expires without sufficient progress being made, that step in the cooking process is considered a failure. When this happens, a graphic of an angry “Mama” with flames erupting from her eyes is displayed, along with the caption “Don’t worry, Mama will fix it!”.
There are a total of 96 different dishes that can be cooked in Cooking Mama, ranging from simple snacks to complex meals. The game also features a variety of different cooking utensils and appliances, each of which has its own unique set of minigames.
Reception
Cooking Mama was a critical and commercial success, selling over 1.8 million copies worldwide. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay, cute graphics, and addictive nature. However, some critics found the game to be too repetitive and simplistic.
Legacy
Cooking Mama has been followed by several sequels and spin-offs, including Cooking Mama 2: Dinner with Friends (2007), Cooking Mama: World Kitchen (2008), and Cooking Mama 5: Bon Appetit! (2014). The series has also been ported to other platforms, such as the Wii, Nintendo 3DS, and mobile devices.
Cooking Mama has been credited with popularizing the cooking simulation genre on video game consoles. The game’s success has also led to the development of other similar games, such as the Cake Mania series and the Diner Dash series.
Cooking Mama in Popular Culture
Cooking Mama has become a popular character in popular culture. The character has been featured in a variety of merchandise, including plush toys, figurines, and cookbooks. Cooking Mama has also been referenced in other video games, such as Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Mario Kart 8.
Cooking Mama’s Impact on the Video Game Industry
Cooking Mama has had a significant impact on the video game industry. The game’s success has shown that there is a market for cooking simulation games on video game consoles. Cooking Mama has also helped to popularize the use of motion controls in video games.
Conclusion
Cooking Mama is a fun and addictive cooking simulation game that has something to offer everyone. The game’s innovative gameplay, cute graphics, and addictive nature have made it a critical and commercial success. Cooking Mama has also had a significant impact on the video game industry, helping to popularize the cooking simulation genre and the use of motion controls in video games.
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
