Pen Pen TriIcelon

"Put it on Ice"

Pen Pen Tri-icileon is obviously aimed at children. Unfortunately, the designers fell prey to the common misconception that because something is made for children, it doesn't have to be very good. Anyone who has spent time with children knows this is untrue: marketing to kids is actually harder than adults. Sure, you may think that popular children's fads such as Teletubbies or Barney are idiotic, and perhaps they are, but behind the idiocy lies genius of design and meticulous planning. Throw something together in about a week and it quickly falls into the pit of obscurity. Such is Pen Pen Racing.

Graphics: 5
This was the best part of the game. The backgrounds are actually quite enjoyable, the art is endearingly cartoony. Even though the game is limited to water and ice courses, they do a good job of adding detail to the locations. The characters are at least all look quite different from each other, and the designs are creative. The big problem is when you go to two player mode, the screen gets squashed horribly and it is no longer clear where your character is or even what it is doing. This is quite a problem.

Sound: 1
Horrible, horrible music that will haunt your dreams. The announcer guy is really annoying, and the dialogue could make your teeth itch.

Story: 1
They're a bunch of wacky creatures. They have vague stock personalities. They race. That's it. I get the feeling the designers were trying for Parrapa-level weirdness in the characters, but they just comes off as Saturday morning rejects.

Gameplay: 1
Press A. Press A again. Press A. But not too fast. Not to slow, either. Keep doing it until you finish the race or you hurl your controller at the screen in anger. I'm surprised this game wasn't banned for the possible danger of repetitive motion disorder. Supposedly each of the characters have strengths and weaknesses, but there were none that I noticed. They all just go along as you pump the button. Ditto on the clothes, I didn't notice them doing anything for you.

Replay: 1
This game barely survives the first play.

Overall, Pen Pen is a surprising waste of time, both for the player and all the supposed professionals who actually developed this.H ave these people ever even seen the other kids racing games available? Do they know about Mario Kart and Sonic? The only real redeeming quality it might have is if you played it drunk. Or stoned. Or on some sort of substance. Then you might be entertained. Maybe.

Reviewer's Score: 2/10, Originally Posted: 06/06/02, Updated 06/06/02