docomodake
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Joystiq Review: Boing! Docomodake DS
Docomodake the mushroom is a mascot for NTT Docomo, a large Japanese cell phone company. In Japan, he's a popular enough character (like, for example, our Noid) to carry his own DS game, which was published by AQ Interactive in late 2007. Ignition Entertainment made the rather bold, baffling decision to release that DS game in North America and Europe, where not only is Docomodake an unknown property, the Docomo company itself is virtually unknown.Why would Ignition localize Pororon! Docomodake DS, a licensed game for an unknown license? After playing the game, the reasoning became clear: because it's a wonderful little game, and because the character is more than charming enough to hold up on its own. Either that or the rights came along with AQ's Blue Dragon Plus. But we prefer the former explanation.%Gallery-28640%
Boing! Docomodake DS bounces to Europe this fall
As the mascot of Japanese cell phone company NTT docomo, Inc., Docomodake is obviously serious business in his homeland, as the above mountain of plushes, keychains, and cell phone straps attests. In Europe, the chubby mushroom is virtually unheard of, but that hasn't deterred Ignition, who announced this morning that they would bring Boing! Docomodake DS to the region this fall (a listing for the game at Gamestop exists, suggesting a U.S. release is also likely). Playing as Papa Docomodake, players must track down the other anthropomorphized fungi that make up the Docomodake family, and get them all back to a festival in the Docomodake Forest. To do this, he'll be able to deploy miniature mushrooms who can be used as projectiles to see off enemies, or to form makeshift platforms and ladders. It looks like a fairly light-hearted slice of platformy fun, not to mention cute -- the first screens are waiting for you in our gallery. %Gallery-28640%[Via press release]
More retail confirmation of Elebits 2, Docomodake
A few weeks ago, Elebits 2: Adventures of Kai & Zero for the DS showed up on Gamefly's "coming soon" list. That listing has now been joined by one on Gamestop, with a similar title (minus the number) and an even closer date (August 1). Konami still has yet to make any announcements about a DS sequel to Elebits -- we were sure it would come out at their Gamers Day event, the same time Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (itself the subject of protracted rumors) was revealed. Another noteworthy new addition to Gamestop's list of upcoming games: Ignition Entertainment's release of the cell-phone mascot platformer Docomodake. We knew from an ESRB rating that it was coming, but not when -- Gamestop says next February. The new English title? Docomodake BOING!
Space Invaders Extreme shows up on ESRB database along with miscellaneous game
The latest ESRB rating update fuels the pretty believable rumor that Square Enix will be releasing Space Invaders Extreme in the U.S. The Rez-like shooter has shown up in the database, with the same E rating seen on the boxart. Wait, did they release that boxart before the ESRB issued their rating? While we're (very) happy to see Space Invaders Extreme, we find the listing for Docomodake more interesting. Why would Ignition Entertainment choose to localize a game about the mascot for Japan's NTT DoCoMo cell phone company? The game sounds vaguely interesting, but will they have to pay NTT DoCoMo for the rights to the character? Or will DoCoMo be happy to advertise in a country where they don't offer services?Also seen on the ESRB page: Chronos Twin, the bizarre time-travel sidescroller that occurs simultaneously in two time periods.See also: 2008's Biggest Blips -- Space Invaders Extreme[Via Siliconera]
