Boing! Docomodake DS

A strange candidate for localization if I ever saw one, Boing! Docomodake DS portrays the adventures of Docomodake, the mushroom mascot of a major Japanese mobile provider, in the form of a platforming puzzle game. Of course, the cuteness of the shroom is universal, and the game is not awkwardly peppered with ads like you might expect.

THE VERDICT by Will Herring Will Herring's Avatar An adorable (and downwright zany) budget title, Boing! Docomodake is a frustrating, if not rewarding experience hampered by trial and error gameplay.

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Boing! Docomodake kicks off with Papa Docomodake rounding up the family so they can attend the Docomodake Forest festival all together. At the end of each world you reach another relative. In between is where all the jumping, climbing, and switch stomping takes place.

Mini Power

Boing! Docomodake DS

The main gameplay gimmick is your use of Minis. You can either press L to release a bunch in a jumble, or draw them out of your body one at a time with the stylus. These little shroomies can be stacked into a ladder, rolled into a ball and thrown, or left to occupy a switch that won't stay down on its own, so they are pretty indispensable when it comes to solving puzzles. Unfortunately, they are susceptible to environmental hazards such as spikes, and delicate enough that throwing them also causes them to expire, at which point they become little ghosts (that you can blow around via the mic). Some levels contain a statue with a bell you can ring to bring them back to life, but oftentimes if you find yourself stuck the only thing you can really do is restart the level, which can be a pain.

Brain Drain

Boing! Docomodake DS

The frustrating trial and error aspect is the main issue I find with this cute budget title. As it gets more difficult it just seems like more and more trial and error: Memorize the sequence of actions to take and perform them as flawlessly as possible. Many puzzle games take this approach, but I can't be the only one who finds it a bit tedious. Then again, maybe it just requires a bit more brain power. Boing! Docomodake DS comes with a wireless demo, so you might be able to find a way to try it before taking the plunge.

PROS: Cute characters, fun Mini mechanic
CONS: Lots of painstaking trial and error

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