Topic: Electroplankton: On Sale Now!

[Karl Castaneda #2]

Mix music like a pro on Nintendo's latest non-game.

Nintendo's Electroplankton Turns Music Novices Into Mixing Maestros    

Users Create Magical Tunes on the Go    

REDMOND, Wash., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Whether you're musically inclined or  musically impaired, Nintendo's new Electroplankton(TM) will make you a  mixing maestro.  The musical experience, launching today exclusively for  Nintendo DS(TM), lets users score music by using the touch screen or  speaking into the microphone.  Sounds can be sampled, manipulated, changed  and rearranged to help even novices create engrossing beats and harmonies.    

Electroplankton exemplifies Nintendo's commitment to expand the frontier of  innovation in the video game universe.  Electroplankton, for instance, could  not be possible on any other system.  Only the special features of Nintendo  DS make it possible for users to compose music ranging from techno beats to  ethereal rhythms.  And because Nintendo DS is portable, users can make music  whenever and wherever inspiration strikes.    

"Electroplankton is a great way to kick off what promises to be an exciting  year for Nintendo," says Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America's executive  vice president of sales & marketing.  "It's the kind of casual game that  will attract a broad audience and help Nintendo DS continue to expand its  lead as the most popular new hand-held system."    

Getting started with Electroplankton could not be easier.  Users simply  choose one of 10 music-making modes and dive right in.  One mode lets users  manipulate the leaves of a plant using the touch screen.  As colorful  plankton launch into the air, they bounce off the leaves in melodic  combinations. Another mode acts as a sampler.  Users record up to four  different sounds with the microphone and then layer them over drum loops to  create a personalized beat.    

The game was designed by renowned Japanese electronic artist Toshio Iwai.  His artistry adds both beauty and whimsy to Electroplankton and makes it as  much a delight for the eyes as it is for the ears.    

Nintendo has selected a distribution method for Electroplankton befitting  its quirky character.  Electroplankton, Rated E for Everyone, is available  now through Nintendo.com and major online retailers, as well as at the  Nintendo World Store in New York.

[kirby_killer_dedede]

Reviews haven't been incredibly hot so far.  How is it?

[Karl Castaneda #2]

I've been playing it all day and I gotta say, it's so-so. I need more time to be sure (for the upcoming review), but I'm not positive if it's everything I was hoping for.

[Renny]

It's fun to play around with once in awhile. Does it come in the 'special' packaging of the JAP version?

[archioverload]

78 on Metacritic isn't not hot. It seems like a love it or hate it deal. Of course many game reviewers try to pigeonhole their model on what a game should be, rather than taking it on its own terms.

btw I wish games like  ATV Fury (or whatever) and NFS on the DS would have a "quirky" (i.e. nonexistent) distribution model.  

[kirby_killer_dedede]

That actually is not so hot.  Below an 8 on a game hyped as heavily as this is disappointing.  Same way with Super Mario Strikers,Mario Superstar Baseball, or (lol) Mario Party.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

Hype?  Where?

Like selling the game online-only is a way to signify "high profile".

[Karl Castaneda #2]

If the copy I recieved is the same one being shipped out by Nintendo (and I'm pretty sure it is, since it came in a condition one would associate with a new game; new box, plastic wrap, etc), then it surely does not have anything special (i.e. earphones). It's a bummer, I know. As for reviewers not taking it in with an open mind, I don't think that's the case; I pretty much took in all the game had to offer after a few hours, which is disappointing. Maybe it gets a second wind later on, I'll have to wait and see, but from what I've seen so far, it's a mostly average title, non-game or otherwise.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

And if you don't know what you want to create with it, music-wise, would that just make it worse?

[Karl Castaneda #2]

Once you get the hang of the application, you know how to manipulate things to your liking. Until then, it's pretty much experimentation, but it doesn't make it any worse; it's easy to learn.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

Then isn't that a good thing?  Learning your options in a relatively short amount of time?  It's not Donkey Konga, not DDR, not Guitar Hero, it's a shaggadelic creativity app, right?  Is it MS Paint married with a Winamp visualizer plugin, or is it a game with specific rewards?

[Gilbrod]

Um, hello numbnuts. Its a NON-GAME!!! I think it's loads of fun. Even more fun when 2 people have it. Experimentation is key. But if you think of it as a game, then you will never enjoy it.  

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

Thank you.

Frigid cashews.

[Karl Castaneda #2]

I'm not saying it's not intuitive or easy to grasp; that is a good thing, but when you feel like you've gotten the whole experience in a few hours, it's hard to reccomend a purchase. My opinion isn't final, since I've only had it since earlier today, but so far, I don't see it being the canvas without boundaries that it's been made out to be. That's not to say that it's a bad game, or that other people won't love it, but not everyone's willing to spend $34.99 on an average-as-they-see-it title, pure and simple. I know I'm not. Anyway, that's all I'll say about Electroplankton for now. You'll see my final thoughts in the review. Expect a Talkback thread; I have a feeling people will have plenty to say.

[KnowsNothing]

I'm pretty sure I've got a good grasp on what this game's about, and I think I'd love it.....for $20.

[NWR_Lindy]

I just ordered it online for a grand total of $39.99, more out of curiosity than anything else.  If anything, it'll be a neat little collector's item.

[Hostile Creation]

I have the Japanese version (oh yes).  Really fun, but only as a distraction or something to show to your friends.  I still go back and play it for ten or twenty minutes every so often (more than most games), but it's not something you play constantly.
Also, it's very relaxing.

[NWR_Lindy]

It's probably not worth $35, but maybe I'll play it while I'm lounging in the tub.

I'm just glad that the DS has a large enough fan base and enough developer support to get weird, experimental games like this.  Usually these wacky games only show up on the PS2.

[ConfusedFX]

Quote
Originally posted by: kirby_killer_dedede
Reviews haven't been incredibly hot so far.  How is it?

GameDAILY has a pretty good review on this game, you should check it out. I'm not all too sure what to think about it -- on one hand, it sounds pretty fun, but on the other, I'm not sure if it's worth the money.

[WuTangTurtle]

yeah i was thinking about importing it a long time ago, but i figured +$50 just to import it is risky.  Now that it is in America i still don't think $34.99 is a good price point.  I the sweet spot would be somewhere like $20.

[Renny]

I did import it way back when. Fun little game, but definitely not worth the $35, particularly as it's just a standard version. The Japanese "limited" packaging has some collectibility. It bombed even in Japan, so maybe it could be considered R@RE someday. Maybe.

[Ian Sane]

I saw this in EB a few days ago.  I was pretty surprised to see it.  I was thinking it would be neat to get it as a novelty but it's too expensive for that.  I think it would work best as a cheap impulse buy but from reviews it sounds way to limited to be worth full price.