Boing! Docomodake Review for Nintendo DS

System: DS	Review Rating Legend
Dev: AQ Interactive	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Ignition Ent.	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: March 10, 2009	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Everyone	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

Boing! Docomodake's presentation may be along similar lines as other kid-friendly fare, but it's actually more charming than you might expect. Papa Docomodake and his minis are adorable, and they're infused with a lot of personality. While the level designs eventually start to take on a similar, puzzle-heavy feel, they cover different visual themes and incorporate pleasantly bright background scenery. Appropriately chipper music and sound effects further round out the exuberant and playful tone.

Boing! Docomodake screenshot

With the addition of an extra unlockable world, the game includes quite a few levels (eight per world). Since the game is on the easier side, most will take only a minute or two to complete, but some offer enough challenge to tie your brain up for a bit. Instead of bashing baddies, collecting coins and treasure chests is a major emphasis. Loot you uncover throughout the game can be spent on unlocking images, songs, and other goods. This offers some limited replay value, and many of the puzzles are interesting enough to warrant subsequent playthroughs.

Despite being a product of corporate synergy that inconspicuously ties into existing brand identities over in Japan, Boing! Docomodake DS is surprisingly refreshing. Never mind the fact these mushrooms have sold their souls to the corporate machine, they're in it for the fun, and that's what they deliver.

By Nathan Meunier
CCC Staff Contributor

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.0

Graphics
The kid-friendly exterior is exuberant without being too cushy.

4.5

Control
Dividing controls between the stylus and D-Pad for different character elements was a great design decision.

4.0

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Playful, upbeat tunes and fitting sound effects add to the overall experience.

3.7

Play Value
The gameplay is fun but a little too easy. The adventure is shorter than some might prefer.

4.2

Overall Rating - Great
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Jump, dig and climb your way through puzzle based levels, as you navigate your way through the Docomodake Forest.

Use the Stylus to split Papa Docomodake into minis to become smaller to fit through tight areas, climb to unreachable areas, fill in gaps so that he can cross treacherous terrain, and more!

Share the game with a friend using the downloadable demo feature.

Buy collectible items in the game with the coins you find along the way.