Flipper Critters

by Ignition Entertainment

Product Features

• Fun, fast-paced and colorful pinball game play and vibrant 3D graphics for the Nintendo DS
• Makes use of both Nintendo DS screens to illustrate all aspects of the enchanting, three-dimensional world. All the expected pinball features are included: ramps, sinkholes, bumpers, jackpots, gates and goals - just in a different form.
• Story mode allows players to journey across a diverse land, encountering all sorts of creatures, climates and challenges - the player chooses which missions and objectives to take on next.
• Fun Mode allows players to play through levels unlocked from Story Mode to beat their high scores
• Fun mode allows players to play through levels unlocked in story mode

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000NKPFIE
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches ; 3.2 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: October 9, 2007
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,386 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Flipper Critters is a beautiful tale that combines fast-paced, traditional pinball action with a fun storyline where colorful characters must complete a series of missions to fulfill their quest to save a friend. The quirky characters travel through a variety of settings, from towering castles to the surface of the moon, in their quest to save a friend, poor Bull, who has a cold. During their adventures, the Flipper Critters interact with a reclusive sorceress and do battle with a towering giant, and even learn the secret of their own mysterious origins.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All round fun - buy it!, May 4, 2007

By 

Ben D. Toye "Juliet" (Belfast, N. Ireland) - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Flipper Critters (Video Game)

Flipper Critters makes the best use of each of the features of the DS all rolled into one exciting pinball game. Each level has plenty to do - you need to move the flippers, tap the screen and use the arrow keys. There are usually three pinball tables in each area/level and built-in arcade type mini games which aren't impossible to win! You get plenty of lives and there are lots of opportunites to gain new lives. This is a fun and addictive game and I'd say fun for all ages. I'm in my 40's and I'd strongly recommend you buy it for your kids - then play it yourself when they're asleep! In fact, the sooner more people are playing it the more tricks and tips will be available!

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Unsatisfying, December 7, 2007

By 

R. Reisgies "number3son" (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

= Fun:2.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Flipper Critters (Video Game)

If you're a very young child (or an easy-to-please person in your 40's), you might get some enjoyment out of this, but if you have any kind of desire for a descent pinball sim on the go then this is the wrong game. If that's what you're looking for, then you need Metroid Prime Pinball instead.

Flipper Critters initially impressed me with a vibrant, colorful art style backed up by a silky-smooth 3D graphics engine. But as soon as the ball got rolling, most of those good vibes went straight down the drain. Pretty much all of the action happens on various "mini" tables instead of a large playfield like most pinball games. That would be fine, except that there's hardly anything to shoot the ball at no matter which table you're on. I would estimate at least 80% of my flipper shots simply hit the back wall and came straight back down again. Take a look at the game's trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6R7aN5o5aM) to get a good idea of what to expect. An even bigger problem, though, is the designers' decision to require the use of the touch screen during play to manipulate ramps and targets and such. While this is a great feature for those of you with three hands, everyone else has to deal with the tedium of constantly trapping the ball in a flipper, picking up the stylus and using it to touch a target, then putting the stylus down and continuing play. This happens throughout the entire game and pretty much kills what little rhythm was there in the first place.

Aside from those problems, the sound design is somewhat limited, though the music is kind of pleasant to listen to. And the basic ball physics are solid, if only they were put to use in a better environment.

Despite my dislike for Flipper Critters, I hope Zen Studios produces another DS pinball game in the future, perhaps a more serious sim instead of one targeted solely at youngsters. They were originally slated to make a DS Pac-Man Pinball game for Namco but that has since been canceled. If they do get another shot, hopefully their eventual second effort would show a jump in quality, not unlike Fuse Games did when they went from Mario Pinball Land to Metroid Prime Pinball.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars disappointed, June 28, 2008

By 

Miki G (Parkville, md United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Flipper Critters (Video Game)

From the picture and other reviews I mistakenly thought this would be good for a young child. The story line may be engaging but it is a bit more complicated than it appears and actual pinball playing is very limited. Unless an adult wants to go through it step by step each time and assist a child i don't think it is good for kids too young and older kids may find it too juvenile. I should have done my homework on this one. may be right for some folks but be sure you know what you are getting so you don't end up disappointed.