"Creativity is the key"

Back in 2005 (remember that the DS was released November of 2004), the promise of unique game play on the DS was widely discussed, yet there were problems. At the E3 2004 (where the DS was unveiled), Nintendo promoted that the dual screens, microphone, and touch screen features of the DS could be used towards creative, fresh game ideas. One notable showcase used as an example was Metroid Prime Hunter's First Hunt demo (the E3 version). FMV was shown two screens high, the touch screen was used for shooting, and the top screen for map displays.

When E3 2005 rolled around in May 05, there were enough DS faithful, but the just-released Sony PSP was drawing much attention. The DS software releases were not helping, as many were either GBA titles with an extra screen (or in some cases just Nokia N-Gage titles), or E3 2004 tech demos in commercial form (coughcough Wario Ware Touched and Yoshi Touch and Go).

Granted, the library of the DS at the time of this writing is more diverse, yet a few titles still reek of lazy add-on features or portidus (Pokemon Mystery Dungeon being a good example).

Right now, you are probably wondering what any of this "history" has to do with Electroplankton. Quite simply, Electroplankton itself was concieved during a time in the DS's commercial development when Nintendo itself was trying to find new and unique software for its system. This period included games that were not truly games, but were more non-game than anything. A well known game that also came out at this time was the Nintendogs series.

So what does this have to do with Electropankton? Electroplankton is not a game. It makes games like Nintendogs and Animal Crossing: Wide World seem like Zelda in comparison. There is really no point in Electroplankton, no goal to complete, and no real rewards in-game. The only object in Electroplankton is to just have fun.

And having said that, let be be blunt before explaining the many modes that are found within this cart. Have you ever played with one of those cheezy toys that allow you to record voices and play them back? Have you ever tried taking assorted sound effects and making them into a musical score? What about simply playing with a musical keyboard at a retail outlet, just to have fun?

Electroplankton is essentially a piece of software that allows you to make music (or just goof around), using the touch screen, the microphone, and the rare useage of the face controls to interact with each of the built-in programs. Designed by Toshio Iwai, the whole point to Elextroplankton is to just have fun, in whatever way you wish.

And now, to each mode:

First up is "Tracy," featuring an assortment of small critters that each emit a unique series of noises. Each noise is dependent on what direction the critter goes in, if the path is strait or wavy, how far, and if it goes in circles (the latter can cause some nice headphone effects). The six critters can be used back to back, at once, or one at a time (which requires the use of Select to clear out accidental triggerings of others).

Second is "Hanenbow," one of the more difficult programs to bring to its full potential. Six leaves are growing out of a twig in water, with a single leaf out to the left. Little Hanenbows (which is what the game calls them) leap out from the single leaf, and each time they hit one of the six leaves's middle, they bounce around. The "goal" is to get them to hit all six leaves enough times to result in the twig growing a flower. This is actually tricky, as you have to adjust the leaves with careful precision to get the right rebound angle (and without stalling them out into a fall). More of a game than most of the programs, but the fun dies faster than the others.

Third is Luminaria, and this time, you have four glowing balls that follow the path of arrows arrayed on a 6X6 "grid." Each arrow can have its path altered by the stylus for individual arrows, or with the D-pad for an "all-at-once" change. It takes a bit of practice to get the arrows the way you want them when the balls are moving, but otherwise, this is pretty good.

"Sun-Animalcule" is number four, and while is fun, is simplistic compared to others. The idea is to tap the touch screen where you wish, and bubbles will appear. Eventually, these bubbles will grow quite large, and you can move them at will (at least until they pop). The spacing and location of the bubbles determines their noise and sounds. Again, simplistic, but amusing.

"Rec-Rec" is fifth on the list, and is one that I love to just goof around with. Four fish swim from right to left, with a set of tunes that can be played in the background. Tapping one of these fish allows you to record your voice via the mic, and as the fist travel back around, they replay the noises picked up. Each of the fish replay at certain pitches, and the combined craziness can be hilarious.

Sixth is "Nanocarp," and features little critters floating around in a small pool of water. Tapping the screen produces ripples, and when these hit the critters, they chime. Pressing the D-buttons send a Star Trek-like scanner wave across the desired direction, setting them off as it crosses. Blowing on the mic also causes some...wierdness, which has to be seen. Again, slightly shallow, but amusing.

Seventh sees "Lumiloop," and was one of the more shown off programs at the E3 2005. Basically, five "wheels" sit on the screen, and spinning them via the stylus produces orcestrated sounds depending on the speed. This specific program is actually better with multiple DS systems and game cards, as the effects are notably better when two coordinated hands go at the screens.

Eight on our glorious list (hey, you try to write up unique openings for a list...) has "Marine-Snow," where small snow flakes on water emmit a keyboard-like chime when tapped. Like "Lumiloop," this benefits from more than one system at a time, but still is fun with a solo system.

Numero Nine, "Beatnes," is another favorite of mine. Five objects with tails (which act as musical bars) line the top of the screen, and tapping parts of the tails causes a sound effect, which travels in path based on where and when you touched. It should be noted that the effects you get are based on the overal "theme" you are on. The default uses NES-style Mario Bros. noises (from music to effects, like Mario dying), though an NES collection, Kid Icarus mode, and "Robot" are offered.

Finally, the last mode, "Volvoice," is another mic-centered one, and is actually more fun to play with than "Rec-Rec." A series of effect options are offered (including one that reverses what you said, making my English babble sound more like some foreign language), and can be the source of amusement for quite a while (or should you find the need to have an alien language for your machinema series...).

There is an eleventh mode, where you interact with a preset series of music, and while is amusing, simply is not as fun as the rest of the package.

So, if I do like this software so much, why the seven of ten? For one thing, you CAN NOT SAVE A SINGLE THING YOU PRODUCE. Granted, with a decent PC, the right recording software, and an auxilary cable, you can easily copy the sounds to your computer, but most gamers/people lack these means or knowlege of how to do. Also, while you can use more than one Electroplankton to make music, there is no option to link these together to function to make things more streamlined.

Finally, a point knocked off for Nintendo offering this only online for so long. Granted, some specific stores carried it, but most gamers were not aware of it once E3 of 2005 passed. Myself, I got lucky in that someone traded it into the local Game Stop with not only the game and box, but regestration slip and manual.

In short, a fun piece of software, but only worthwhile if you like to simply goof around or make music.

Score: 7 of 10

+ Best Features: Audio abilities (considering this is a cart), accurate touch controls and mic pick-up, ten main modes

- Worst Features: Still Online-only for purchase for the most part, no real point, no save feature for storing sounds

* If You Liked: Maybe Guitar Hero II (Xbox 360 and PS2); there really is no other piece of software like this

* Guilty Pleasure: Playing with "Rec-Rec" and "Volvoice" while at work, and getting coworkers to get involved with it...

- (Ugly) Reality: With the success of Guitar Hero, and the widespread love of Nintendogs, maybe rereleasing this as a US$19.99 title in retail might get this game the attention it deserves. And guess what won't happen.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 05/08/07, Updated 11/20/07

Game Release: Electroplankton (US, 01/09/06)