Hamtaro: Ham-Hams Unite!

"A Hamtaro video game? It's ham-tastic!"

Plot:

Boss was diligently working on something new for the clubhouse when he decided to wanted to share it with all the ham-hams at the same time. Except for Hamtaro and Snoozer, all the ham-hams were away from the clubhouse. Since Boss was too busy working onhis secret project to round up the ham-hams, he decided to recruit Hamtaro for the job. Now Hamtaro must find the other 12 ham-hams scattered throughout six different areas.

Game Play and Atmosphere(8/10):

The game is basically an adventure/puzzle game. Most of the gameplay centers around learning and using ham-chat, a secret language used by hamsters. For example: ''hamha'' means hello, ''tack-q'' performs a rolling tackle, ''hif-hif'' makes Hamtaro sniff around, and ''go-p'' does just what it sounds like. However, at the outset Hamtaro's vocabulary is limited, so you must pick up new words from other hamsters in order to solve most of the puzzles. Some will teach you new words after you simply say hello or ''hamha'', while others require something a bit more complicated. Pressing ''A'' prompts a menu with ham-chat. If there are question marks where there should be words, that's a good indicator that you need to expand your vocabulary before you can tackle the current problem.

Puzzles don't just center around chatting. There are a few instances where you can and must interact with objects using actions from ham-chat. Speaking of which, the game does a good job of making you feel like a hamster. There are plenty of objects in each area, and having everyday objects like soda cans and rocks the same size as Hamtaro makes the atmosphere that much more believable as well as more enjoyable.

At this point, most of you older players will probably brush this game off as a ''kiddie'' game. Don't let the cute looks fool you. There are some interesting puzzles that can challenge even the hardiest gamer. Did I mention you will find and carry items in this game? As you explore each area and meet new hamsters, some of them will drop subtle or not so subtle hints that they want a certain item. So you really have to pay attention and keep track of who wants what, as well as remember where that character is located. If you go a long time without playing, it's easy to lose track of what you were supposed to do next. While some puzzles are quite innovative, many are simply trial and error, and some don't seem to make any real sense. Still, you'll have a lot of fun exploring and solving the various riddles.

One area in which the game shines is character interaction. Even most of the non ham-ham hamsters have distinct personalities and their own little mini-story. Many of them will send you on side-quests. The ham-hams themselves retain their mannerisms we're all so familiar with. When you finally round up all 12, you are treated to a mini-drama of sorts at the clubhouse. Each ham-hams has his or her own room, but they will interact with one another. Not only that, but they are in different locations interacting with different characters every time you pop in. You'll eventually see repeats, but it's still very entertaining to see the whole thing unfold.

Another area in which this game shines is the fact it's so relaxing. Like Myst for the PC, it's impossible to die in this game. It's nice not having to worry about starting an area over after trudging through most of it and making a small mistake. Players are encouraged to freely explore the areas, see what happens when you use words in certain situations, and laugh at the cartoonish humor.

On top of the main quest, there are also some mini games and secrets. There is tack-q bowling. There are songs you can collect, and you can even choreograph your own dance back at the clubhouse. However, you can only use moves from words you have already learned. Using sunflower seeds as currency, which are scattered all over the place in the different areas, you can find shops and pick out articles of clothing. Once you buy clothes, you can play dress up back at the clubhouse. You can save one outfit at a time, which is saved via a photograph on Hamtaro’s desk. It also replaces Hamtaro’s previous picture on the title screen. You can even trade dances using a Game Boy Color. Sorry Game Boy Advance owners, it only works if both you and your friend have a Game Boy Color. All of this really isn’t that exciting, but they are still nice additions and they give the player something to do once he or she finishes everything else in the game. One other thing that should be noted is that there is sort of a second quest once you find all the ham-hams. I won’t spoil it by saying what it is, but it does unlock new puzzles and more fun.

Play Control(8/10):

The play control is kept simple. Pressing ''A'' prompts a menu with selectable ham-chat words, and pressing ''B'' and one of the four directional buttons makes Hamtaro run. Since there are only two buttons on the Game Boy Color, it’s a good thing that most of the actions can be carried out via ham-chat. In so many games you have to press buttons simultaneously, and/or memorize complicated button combinations. Then you get frustrated because you can’t pull them off properly on a consistent basis. However, having to bring up a menu and use ham-chat gets a little tedious at times. For instance, you have to use ''hif-hif'' every time you want to pick up an item. They could have made it where you simply have to walk over the item to pick it up, or just press one button. As it is, you have to walk up to an item, press ''A'' to bring up the ham-chat menu, move the cursor over ''hif-hif'', and press ''A'' again. Also, there are several points in which you must climb. Sometimes, you must use ''scoochie'' to climb, and other times you simply walk up to the object to be climbed. It’s nice that you don’t always have to use that command, but at the same time it’s inconsistent.

Replay Value(3/10):

This is where the game really lacks. Once you solve all the puzzles and find everything, there is virtually no reason to replay the game, unless you somehow forget the solutions to most of the problems. However, it is possible to trigger alternate events in some areas on subsequent plays. The only problem is, there is only one save slot per cartridge. So that means you’ll have to give up all the ham-hams you found, items, sunflower seeds, songs, dances, clothes, etc. in order to explore the alternate stories.

Graphics(9/10):

The graphics are exceptional considering this is a Game Boy Color game. Scratch that; it looks as good as most Game Boy Advance games. The characters from the show are replicated very nicely and minutely detailed. The characters are also nicely animated and very colorful. The different areas are nicely done with detailed, colorful backgrounds. Like I mentioned before, the game does a nice job of making you feel like a hamster in a big world. Objects are scattered about, all of which are nicely drawn and detailed. The real treat however, comes from the animations for the ham-chat words. Each word has its own distinct animations, which shows PAX/ShoPro really put a lot of effort into making the game look good. Some animations are rather comical; so at times, the player will be treated to a good hearted laugh. There is one small gripe I have concerning the graphics. There are several instances in which you must stand over something and perform an action. It’s hard to judge if you are over the object, because Hamtaro always looks like he’s a bit above or below the object, but never directly over it. As a result, I wind up wasting time bringing up and using the ''dig-dig'' command. It’s no big deal though, since there is no time limit and there is no penalty for using commands over and over.

Music and Sound(6/10):

The music isn’t annoying, but it doesn’t seem to replicate the feeling and atmosphere from the T.V. show very well. The opening theme, ''Hamtaro Time'', is intact, and it sounds very nice for being on a Game Boy. The song ''I’m Your Ham'', which I assume is the same song Hamtaro sung to Bijou in the first TV episode, ''Hamtaro'', appears in the game, but it sounds nothing like it does on the show. Maybe it’s not supposed to be the same song, but it’s still a disappointment. And where is the ending theme from the T.V. show? They should have made it one of the hidden songs and/or play it once you finish the game. For the game itself, tunes alternate cutesy feel to a more slapstick cartoon/looney toonish flavor. It’s hard to explain, but I don’t think those kind of tunes fit the naive, innocent feel of the show, nor the less slapstick based humor found on Hamtaro. However, the song for a certain secret area has this mysterious feel to it, and is a pleasure to listen to.

The sound effects are a little better. Each ham-chat word has it’s own sound effect, and each effect fits the word and the action along with it nicely. When characters walk or run, they make a sqeaky, padded sound, which apparently is supposed to emulate the ''tiki-tiki'' and ''bada-bada'' noises the hamsters make on the show. It’s nice they paid that much attention to detail.

Conclusion:

Hamtaro: Ham Hams Unite! is really a great game that can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike. It’s short, but it’s still worth buying. If nothing else, it’s a collector’s item for fans of the show, since there isn’t much Hamtaro paraphernalia right now.

Overall Score(7/10)

Final Plusses and Minuses:

+ innovative and original
+ relaxing and not frustrating
+ interesting character interaction
+ can be enjoyed by all ages
+ second quest, secrets, and bonuses help prolong longevity
+ good graphics

- virtually no replay value
- only one save slot
- somewhat short
- some puzzles are mainly trial and error and make little sense

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 01/01/03, Updated 01/01/03