[pixelchef]

Nintendo has released its first screenshots from a video game focusing on cooking for their upcoming new console (Nintendo Wii). Video game developers and others in the peripheral industries feel that this is the next "boom" in the gaming world -- games focusing around home improvement/lifestyle. I've actually made a substantial investment in a developer focusing on these types of games, as I do believe it's "the next big thing".

Anyway, I was wondering how you all felt about it. Would you play them yourselves? Would you encourage your young ones to? Do you feel they're a step in the right direction away from all the violence and gore in today's games? Personally, as a little kid, I would have loved this stuff.

Here are some screenshots from Cooking With Mama for the Nintendo Wii:










A current incarnation of the game is available in North America called Cooking Mama for Nintendo's handheld system (Nintendo DS). I've played it, and I was immediately addicted. What was notable, though, was that even my non-foodie friends were in the same boat after playing the game. Most of them actually learned something!

[hollywood]

But can Mama make fried Coke?

[pixelchef]

Do you have something completely irrelevant and useless to contribute to EVERY thread?

[nightscotsman]

"Cooking Mama" is already out on the DS. Info here.

[pixelchef]

Neil -- please read the last paragraph in my initial post.

[rancho_gordo]

It looks cute but I wish it were available in a "boy" version. My kids wouldn't touch it even though they like helping out in the kitchen.

[balex]

The problem is of course the same problem as with cookbooks -- because we have very good ways of reproducing how something looks, and almost no way of reproducing how something smells or tastes, everything focusses on the appearance. I am sure they have some umamiometer in the game - with some high pitched female voice going "subarashi desu ne" and so on, but without taste and smell ...

[foodie52]

Is this meant to replace the Tasty Bake Oven? This is for kids? The whole point of cooking is to have something to EAT when you are finished. I don't see the point of this. Maybe it's like, the Nintendo version of the Food Network?? Please enlighten me.

[hollywood]

pixelchef, on Oct 29 2006, 08:21 AM, said:

Do you have something completely irrelevant and useless to contribute to EVERY thread?

Gimme a chance. I'm workin' on it.