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Mama's Menu Satisfies But Her Portion Sizes Leave Something to be Desired

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 114 / 117
Date: March 22, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Sizzling off the Nintendo DS burner, Mama is back for second helpings with Cooking Mama: Cook-Off for the Wii. What can easily be called an import-with-modification, this kitchen simulation emulates the DS version almost identically and although several key distinctions can be made between the two titles, it's a safe wager that if you enjoyed the portable Mama, you'll love her just the same when grounded to Nintendo's new console.

The premise of the game is ridiculously simple which no doubt enhances the title's adorable flair as well as minimizes its already insignificant learning curve. Mama (a ridiculously excitable Japanese woman) has once again decided to open her cheery country-style kitchen to gamers who, under her unblinking supervision, will cook, slice, and dice their way through fifty-five international entrees and desserts.

Each of the missions is further deconstructed into several objectives, all of which can be successfully completed through simple motion-driven minigames. Say, for instance, a gamer chooses to melt and mold chocolate truffles. After confirming his or her selection, a screen will appear detailing the numerous step-by-step activities one must perform in order to properly prepare the cocoa-crunchies. Once briefed, the first minigame will begin with a simple 3-2-1 on-screen countdown. An unwrapped chocolate bar appears on a digital cutting board and the gamer is instructed to flick the Wiimote up and down rapidly to "dice" the dessert. Once chopped, the chocolate must then be boiled, an activity which requires the gamer to monitor oven settings and be vigilant against charring the mixture. After each minigame, a results screen appears, chronicling one's numerous successes or failures. From this evidence Mama renders her verdict which is relayed through a series of annoying, mispronounced "Engrish" phrases (`Better than Mama!,' `No Good!,' `That's Okay. Keep Going!'). Upon accepting her analysis, the instructions screen reappears and another minigame launches.

The title features three primary `game modes' - `Let's Cook,' `Friends and Food of the World,' and `Friends and Food.' In highlighting the first option, Mama's recipe book bursts open, thereby enabling the gamer to access a myriad of single-player entrée-selections, all of which can be independently prepared. `Friends and Food of the World' offers a competitive user-versus-computer challenge during which an exotic e-pal races you to prepare a specialty entrée from his or her own unique nation. The human contestant must not only cook quickly but accurately as both time and precision determine your final score. Lastly, "Friends and Food" allows two human chefs-in-training to compete against one another in a food preparation dual; utilizing a split-screen configuration, both players are given the same tasks to complete but, as expected, their performances can vary greatly.

As for its performance and execution, Cooking Mama: Cook Off provides gamers with a light-hearted, atypical experience, no more, no less. This isn't a game which enthralls its user at the onset and demands his or her undivided attention. You won't have to cancel your social obligations with the excuse that you've "just gotta create those virtual creampuffs." In the same breath, don't underestimate this title to be a useless throw-away deserving of dust collection; Cooking Mama can be a delight, in so long as one keeps his or her expectations in check. This game won't significantly impact your worldviews and mindsets nor will it violently augment your real-life culinary abilities; what it will provide is casual amusement and entertaining escapism from the harsh realities of life. When shoot'em ups get you down and puzzling mysteries confound you, Mama's always there with a gentle smile, sparkling kitchen, and exotic entrée to be prepared. Bon appetite!

PROS -
+ Effervescent environments, entrees, and activities.
+ Excellent and innovative use of the Wiimote as an all-in-one kitchen utensil.
+ Guaranteed to charm even the most cynical of gamers.
+ Easy to play but truly difficult to master.
+ Lovely soundtrack and realistic audio effects; battles between global e-pals feature music tracks unique to the given region.
+ Overall, an addictive oddity; how many cooking simulations have this much depth and diligence?

CONS -
-- Entrees and edible ingredients are beautifully rendered; environments and cell-shaded utensils however lack detail and definition. Too many jagged edges and not enough vectors are integrated.
-- Mama's vocalizations are annoying, repetitive, and sometimes incomprehensible.
-- Literally no "options" exist within the game's options menu; customization is oddly absent.
-- A few Wiimote movements are difficult to perform; mixing becomes exhausting whilst peeling virtual vegetables is actually more challenging than the real thing!
-- Niche-marketed; some gamers will adore this title but many will unfairly treat it with disdain.

Cookin Mama is loads of fun for kids of all ages

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 8
Date: March 22, 2007
Author: Amazon User

The little ones fight over it , the big ones are embarassed to admit they love it too (myself included). Had it on the DS and didn't think it could be any more fun with the Wii. But it is . I highly recomend it .

Great Game for Kids, my nieces love it

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 6
Date: March 22, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I bought a few copies of Cooking Mama on the wii for my nieces. They are hooked on it. I highly recommend it.

cooking mama

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 7
Date: March 22, 2007
Author: Amazon User

awesome ,.. i have 5 children . they all have it on ds. the wii is twice as fun. i highly recommend it. even for adults.

worked on ds, not so much on the wii

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 5 / 17
Date: March 25, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I loved this game on the DS. I pre-ordered it for the Wii. I was very excited. It was a total let down. The controls are weak and slow. I just finished Zelda, I know how precise the controls can be. And it was not very fun. I am returning it on Monday for what ever insult of a trade in EBX gives me.

Really fun game!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: March 28, 2007
Author: Amazon User

My kids favorite DS game is Cooking Mama, so we bought this one the first time we saw it. This game is pretty much the same, using the Wii remote instead of the stylus, with some new options and lots more recipes. The kids have played it everyday and they love it...BUT.... as others have mentioned, the controls are not sensitive enough and some of the motions (especially stirring!)don't work like you want them too. It can be very frustrating.

Still one of the favorite Wii games in the house!

This cooking mama loves Cooking Mama!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: April 01, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I really love this game! Like the others said, the controls sometimes make you want to throw the remote, but over all fun! (I have found that slower stiring seems to pick up better when stewing.) I'm addicted! I'd never played the DS version, so I didn't know what to expect. Mama is hard to understand, but you don't have to understand her to play the game. I'd recomend it to anyone who enjoys silly-fun games!

Fast Food for the Wii

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 20 / 24
Date: April 05, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Cooking Mama is a charming collection of cooking themed minigames. The main objective of the game is to chop, cut, boil, stir, mix and cook a variety of different meals from around the world. The game can be played alone or 2 players can face off against each other. Nintendo has talked a lot about opening the Wii and DS to new audiences, Cooking Mama is undoubtedly an excellent example of the type game it takes to achieve this goal. The game is suitable for young chefs ages 6. And the game may even change or shape your kids attitude towards cooking. Contrary to popular believe Cooking Mama does NOT teach your kids, or husband, or wife how to cook, but it does introduce some of the ingredients and steps required for many different types of meals. Cooking Mama sells for $49 MSRB, which is a lot of dough for a small game that feels more like a XBLA (Xbox Live Arcade) Game in regards of size and presentation. If you don't mind the bitter price tag, you'll find Cooking Mama refreshing and enjoyable.

A silly, but fun game for the Wii

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 8
Date: April 05, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Cooking Mama: Cook Off is a silly game, but that's what makes it so much fun. You get to chop, dice, break eggs, stir stew and a whole bunch of other actions using the Wii remote. Another great feature is all of the international dishes you can prepare in the game. I definitely get hungry while playing!

Great for the right audience

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 9
Date: May 05, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Me and my 11 year old daughter loved playing this game (we rented it for 5 days) She would love to buy it. We loved playing against each other. My husband however thought it looked stupid and refused to play. I would recommend that you rent it and give it a try, then see if you want to spend the money to own it.

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