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Cooking Mama 5 gets served on 3DS this September
Cookiing Mama 5: Bon Appetit will launch in North America this September. The 3DS game first took to digital kitchens in Japan this past November, bringing with it over 60 recipes for appetizers, drinks, main courses and desserts. The game includes six modes, one of which is a new "Cooking Dojo," and features more than 30 extra activities around players' houses and burger shops. Players will also have the option to customize Mama's outfit and kitchen with decorations obtained through the console's SpotPass feature. Majesco noted in its announcement that the Cooking Mama series has sold more than 13 million copies globally. The first game debuted on Nintendo DS in 2006. Cooking Mama 5 will arrive three years after the previous one for 3DS, Cooking Mama 4: Kitchen Magic, which launched in November 2011. The upcoming game also features a four-player local multiplayer mode that uses the console's download play feature, allowing three friends to participate in a cook-off with one player that owns a copy of the game. [Image: Majesco]
'Camping Mama' trademark filed by Cooking Mama Ltd.
Mama has proven her prowess at Cooking, Gardening and, soon, Babysitting -- but it seems she could be showing off her remarkable outdoorsmanship in the franchise's next outing. Cooking Mama Ltd., the series' developer, has filed a U.S. trademark for "Camping Mama," which has, in turn, sent our heads reeling over the possible gameplay implications therein. Just imagine the activities Mama could practice in a wilderness setting: Tent pitching Campfire making Marshmallow roasting Mosquito swatting Killing a bear with her own hands and turning its pelt into a victory coat, The Edge-style
Cribs: Babysitting Mama Edition
Majesco has released images of the final doll design and packaging for Babysitting Mama. Cleverly, the box for the minigame collection is shaped like a crib, featuring a phrase we didn't ever think we'd see on a game box: "Wii Game Disc Included (Look Under Baby!)"
Majesco reports drop in Q1 profits
This week, Majesco reported its earnings for its fiscal first quarter (which ended January 31). As you may have surmised from the recent news of its potential Nasdaq delisting, things aren't precisely where Majesco would want them to be, financially. Its net profit for the quarter was $3.8 million, showing a year-over-year decline compared to Q1 2009's $4.2 million profit. However, the slightly smaller Q1 still seems big enough to make Majesco happy. "Majesco had a very solid first quarter driven by strong holiday sales of our Cooking Mama franchise," CEO Jesse Sutton said, "which once again delivered impressive results, and Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel." Yes, that's right, some of you bought something with the word "Squeakquel" on it. "Our results were in-line with our internal expectations and we remain on track to deliver improved profitability for 2010," he added. "We have made significant progress in fine tuning our strategy to meet the challenges of the current operating environment." The latest announcement from Majesco, of course, is another extension of the Cooking Mama franchise, Crafting Mama.
Cooking Mama taking on two more side jobs this year
In its latest financial results release, Majesco reported satisfying sales for its Cooking Mama franchise. It didn't provide specifics, but CEO Jesse Sutton said that Cooking Mama 3 "performed well," Gardening Mama was "very successful" and Cooking Mama in general was "the most successful third party franchise on the DS" and "an evergreen brand." So, naturally, Majesco is going to retire the series on a high note. Oh, did we say "retire the series on a high note?" We meant "release two more games this year." Sutton said that following the success of the gardening-based spinoff, Majesco is working on two "additional extensions for 2010," as well as looking to "new media channels" for further extensions of the brand.
Joyswag: Cooking Mama 3 and Cake Mania 3 (DS) [update]
Update: That's it, folks -- the contest has come to a close! Keep an eye on your email's inbox to see if you won! In our latest Joyswag, we're hooking one lucky reader up with a pair of new Majesco DS titles: Cooking Mama 3 and Cake Mania 3. Keep 'em to yourself or pass 'em along as a gift this holiday season. See how you can enter to win below: Leave a comment telling us whether you prefer to bake or cook You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec) Limit 1 entry per person per day This entry period ends at 2:59PM ET on Tuesday, November 10 At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive Cooking Mama 3 for the Nintendo DS ($30 ARV) and Cake Mania 3 for the Nintendo DS ($20 ARV) For a list of complete rules, click here
Cooking Mama 3 trailer, fresh from the oven
Majesco's first trailer for Cooking Mama 3: Shop & Chop features one aspect of the Cooking Mama series we don't expect to see in the actual DS game: the voice acting, which is as endearing as ever. The trailer features the first look at the game's new shopping mode, which appears as a top-down RPG-style presentation. It also features flashes of the familiar cooking gameplay, including the return of the most ridiculous recipe from Mamas past -- instant ramen. Really? For the most part, it looks like Cooking Mama, which we've yet to become tired of, so we don't mind. And now with the addition of food with faces, we don't think we will ever get tired of it.
Cooking Mama 3: Shop & Chop your troubles away
Today, Majesco released new screens and the box art for Cooking Mama 3, revealing the subtitle Shop & Chop. Unfortunately for us, that subtitle, meant to reflect the new grocery shopping element in the minigame sequel, sounds kind of like "Slap Chop," and now we've got the "Rap Chop" remix stuck in our heads. We're going to be in a great mood all day, apparently! The "Let's Shop" game, in which players dodge distractions to pick up ingredients at a grocery store, leads to the other new mode, "Combine and Create," which somehow allows players to invent their own recipes based on ingredients used in existing in-game recipes. It's an iterative upgrade, sure, but here's a secret: Cooking Mama continues to be fun even when it's just new recipes. %Gallery-70003%
E3 2009 highlights: The Nintendo roundup
Nintendo E3 2009 checklist: Mario? *check* Zelda? *check* Metroid? *check* Are we missing something? Head past the break to find out!
Wonderful! 505 Games announces Cooking Mama 3 for DS
We may have known it was coming, but now we have a nice, official press release announcing Cooking Mama 3 for DS. 505 Games said that it will release the latest in Cooking Mama Ltd.'s surprisingly popular culinary minigame series "in time for Christmas." The new game will feature "over 80 recipes, 200 mini-games, four player multiplayer," and "two totally new game modes." "What Dish Can You Make" mode lets you and Mama create a new recipe from two recipes you choose. "Let's Go Shopping" gives you a shopping list to buy, with confusing signs and irritating store employees trying to hinder you! Majesco hasn't officially announced a US release date for Cooking Mama 3, but we expect a fall or holiday release here as well. It's basically Majesco's biggest title of the year!
Majesco serving Cooking Mama 3 to E3 attendees
Majesco just sent out a very cute invitation to a Cooking Mama-themed party to be held during E3. Listed among the activities planned for the party: a chance to play Cooking Mama 3. What a nice way to announce a new game! The last "numbered" Cooking Mama was Cooking Mama 2: Dinner with Friends on DS, so it seems likely that this latest iteration will be on the DS as well. It is very little surprise that Majesco and developer Cooking Mama Ltd. are planning another game. Cooking Mama is the cornerstone of Majesco's business, and we'd expect at least a couple of the "approximately 31 titles" the company plans to release (according to its financial report) to be Mama games. Probably more than a couple -- in addition to the newly announced 3, trademarks suggest both Babysitting Mama and Crafting Mama are on the way.
Cooking Mama creator trademarks 'Babysitting Mama'
Siliconera noticed a trademark for a game called Babysitting Mama in the US Trademark Database. The last time we saw a trademark for a Mama game, it was for Pet Shop Mama, which was just a possible rebranding of what was released as My Pet Shop. This new trademark, however, was registered by Cooking Mama Ltd., the company that develops the Mama games for Square Enix and Majesco. That strongly suggests that this trademark is intended for a new game. So Mama is babysitting now? The fast-paced, task-oriented minigame format transferred pretty well from cooking to gardening, but will it be fun when you're taking care of some kids? And just how mad is Mama going to get when she has to come in and fix your botched diaper change?
Metareview: Cooking Mama: World Kitchen
Click to embiggen Even though PETA hasn't been too happy with Cooking Mama: World Kitchen, everyone else has to be enjoying the game we had so much fun with back at E3, right? Well, the few reviews that have come in haven't been all that positive. So let's get to the scores. IGN (70/100): "So what we have here is a good casual game; what last year's Cooking Mama should have been. World Kitchen is easy enough for anyone to pick up and play (despite the lack of tutorial), and Mama's charisma may even keep cynical hardcore gamers playing longer than they expected. A little depth beyond simple waggle controls and more gameplay variety would be nice, but this is a fun, breezy game for the non-discriminating player on your holiday shopping list." Nintendo Power (65/100): "Cooking Mama World Kitchen isn't bad, but it could have been better." [Holiday 2008, p.80] 1UP (C-): "World Kitchen tries hard to spice up the already tasty Cooking Mama recipe with new characters, slapstick rescue minigames, and cheesy-in-a-bad-way voiceovers, but the results leave behind a funny aftertaste. It'll do in a pinch, but I prefer Cook Off's well-balanced helpings." Any of you pick up Mama's latest game? Agree with the critics? Disagree? %Gallery-28210%
PETA plans to continue to use games to spread its message
Following up their recent Super Mario Bros. and Cooking Mama games, PETA has commented to GI.biz that they'll continue this format as a way of "engaging with the public." We guess it's been successful for them, as they say this approach to spreading their message is as "important as music, movies, and television." We can't say we agree, but different strokes for different folks, we suppose. "Many people are unaware of the real-life violence that animals endure on factory farms and in slaughterhouses," a PETA spokesperson said. "We use games to highlight the cruelty to animals because they appeal to people who are interested but may be turned off by more direct appeals." Well, we don't understand the effectiveness of this approach, to tell you the truth, but, then again, we enjoy a burger every now and then. %Gallery-28210%
PETA plans on making more games to spread message
PETA intends on creating more games to raise awareness about practices within the meat industry. The organization states that its recent Cooking Mama game wasn't an attack on publisher Majesco, but a way of getting its "Meet your Meat" video -- an unsettling "undercover video" of a corporate turkey farm -- in front of fresh eyes. Speaking with GI.biz, a PETA spokesperson said the organization uses games to raise awareness in people who "may be turned off by more direct appeals." It originally turned to games to attract young males, but has since learned the demographics are much wider. The group believes Majesco took the parody in the way it was intended, which seems like a reasonable assumption considering the publisher's lighthearted response. Despite all the joking, PETA does hope that Majesco makes a Cooking Mama: Vegetarian Kitchen "one day." Source - PETA: We'll keep using games "to spread our message" [GI.biz] Source - Cooking Mama Responds to PETA Parody [PETA]
Majesco responds to PETA's Cooking Mama parody
Majesco kept it classy in its response to PETA's Cooking Mama parody. Taking the whole situation in stride, the publisher quoted the fictional Mama as saying, "I would never put rat in my Ratatouille. Like any accomplished cook, I create my recipes to appeal to a broad range of tastes and preferences. My only goal is to ensure you leave the table well fed." Majesco went on to note that the company's latest entry in the franchise, Cooking Mama World Kitchen, features over 25 vegetarian-friendly recipes. It also states that Mama is not a vegetarian, but "fully supports" the humane treatment of animals, as her doggie "protégé" Max will make his debut in the latest game -- hopefully, not as an entrée. Kudos to Majesco for incorporating some flair into what would otherwise have been another boring press release about a game launch. And thanks to PETA for making the whole laugh possible.
Mama responds to PETA
Mama, lovable cook and Majesco mascot, wants us all to know that her latest game, Cooking Mama: World Kitchen, isn't all about killing animals and preparing them as tasty dishes. No, the Mama has a bunch of vegetarian recipes, as well, evidenced by the press release sent over to GoNintendo. What kind of veggie dishes can be prepared in Cooking Mama: World Kitchen? Well, there's miso soup and rice cakes, just to name a few. "I would never put rat in my Ratatouille," said Mama, wrist-deep in her latest recipe. "Like any accomplished cook, I create my recipes to appeal to a broad range of tastes and preferences. My only goal is to ensure you leave the table well fed." We imagine PETA's next step is a Flash game where Mama viciously murders piles and piles of octopi for their ink so she can write out a press release. %Gallery-28210%
Cooking Mama vs. Regular Mama
We're so pleased to present this upbeat, non-disgusting trailer for Cooking Mama: World Kitchen. However, even this innocuous "As Seen on TV" style video is not without controversy: certain statements are made regarding your mama. Specifically, her ability to cook, contrasting with the abilities of the game's fake cartoon mama. The trailer disclaims these statements, but it's possible that by then the damage could already be done. Consider yourselves and your mamas warned. Hopefully we can look past this shocking material and enjoy the gameplay footage and cute presentation. Because it is really cute, and it would be a shame if some kind of awful publicity marred such cuteness. %Gallery-28210%
PETA Flash game puts us off Cooking Mama, food
Ready to be sick? Coinciding with the release of Cooking Mama: World Kitchen, PETA has wielded the Awesome Power of Copyright Infringement to make a Cooking Mama Flash game about the preparations involved with cooking turkey. Combining an impressively accurate facsimile of Cooking Mama gameplay with horrifying, bloody visuals, Cooking Mama: Mama Kills Animals is intended as an appeal to Majesco to create a vegetarian-only version of Cooking Mama. In Mama Kills Animals, a sadistic Cooking Mama guides you through the process of defeathering, preparing, and stuffing a turkey. Between levels, the game presents horrifying facts about the meat industry as well as videos we didn't dare watch. Apparently, at the end, Mama reforms and becomes a vegetarian. In case you didn't get our subtle hinting, this game can be really upsetting. Keep that in mind should you decide to click.
PETA parody grills Cooking Mama
PETA's parody on Majesco's Cooking Mama franchise may be the best Flash-based game we've seen from the activist group yet. Following up on its Bloody Burberry and Super Chick Sisters games, Cooking Mama: Mama Kills Animals takes a stab at soon-to-be-released Cooking Mama: World Kitchen, not to mention the main course of most Thanksgiving meals. The game is done in perfect Cooking Mama style - having the player pull out the bird's feathers and then scoop out its innards. Whether you agree with the message or not, it's the medium and style that got our attention. PETA does give some constructive feedback to Majesco, asking if it could make an all vegetarian-recipe version of Cooking Mama. Considering how important Mama is to Majesco's cash flow, a vegetarian version might be a good marketing ploy. PETA's Cooking Mama: Mama Kills Animals can be played after the break (Warning: Sound auto-plays and is loud).* *The "Meet your Meat" video, which becomes available after finishing the game, may be difficult to watch. Don't click the link if you're not interested in seeing what a corporate turkey farm looks like.
