Ribbit King

by Bandai

Product Features

• Get your frog into the hole first to win!
• For 1-4 players!
• Story and VS modes.
• Lots of wacky characters and their froggy friends to choose from!
• Unlock hidden characters.

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0001LQJSK
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches ; 4.8 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: June 9, 2004
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,889 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Game Informer Review

Ribbit King, a truly twisted title that creates a new sport called Frolf (which is, basically, golfing with frogs instead of balls), is yet another game aimed at hardcore devotees of Japanese whimsy. You know who you are: You've beaten Rez 18 times. You've written your own arrangements of the music in Gitaroo-Man for string quartet and woodwinds. On your left shoulder is a Mister Mosquito tattoo. I can almost imagine you interrupting me right now, whispering, "Matt, don't speak. You had me at Frolf." [cue tears and sappy music]

The rest of you might want to consider the decision to buy Ribbit King a little more carefully. While the basic mechanics are that of a simplified golf game (with a rudimentary two-click swing), the real meat of the Ribbit King experience comes from exploring the strange "gimmicks" strewn throughout each course. These include spiderwebs that can bounce your frog further distances, giant snakes that shake you in their jaws until you jiggle the analog stick to break free, or even conveyor belts that take frogs to otherwise inaccessible platforms. Much of your score depends on mastering these gimmick combos, which earn you big points (often more than getting the frog in the hole). This makes for an odd brand of play, but often the gimmicks are too random in effect to really allow for strategy. Many times, you'll hit what looks like a bum shot, only to be whisked through an unforeseen sequence of gimmicks that place you right up to the hole. While it's certainly amusing, after a time the heavy reliance on gimmicks felt, well, kind of gimmicky.

After the novelty is gone, it's an adequate, if goofy, golf title with passable technical execution. The camera system and graphics engine certainly won't win any awards (there are definitely times when the poor camera and overhead view make it difficult to aim – especially on the futuristic levels), but I guess that's not really the point. All in all, this feels like a stand-alone game that would have done better as a cool Mario Golf minigame mode.

Concept:
Frolf: where sport and amphibious life meet!

Graphics:
A charming art style makes the ho-hum graphics somewhat irrelevant

Sound:
Yippie-skippy-synthy-plinky-Casio-doo-de-dah

Playability:
I think a three-click swing would have made this a little more interesting, but it's solid overall

Entertainment:
Japanophiles, cute-fetishists: Reserve your copy now. Everybody else: Rent it

Replay:
Moderate

Rated: 7 out of 10
Editor: Matt Helgeson
Issue: June 2004

2nd Opinion:
As much as I dug this goofy little game, it's certainly not going to appeal to a wide audience. It's too basic and odd to strike a chord with mainstream gamers. But those who like their games heavy on Japanese flavor will definitely be pleased with this strange golf title. It looks a little bit sharper on the GameCube than on the PS2, but it's a bizarrely fun time on either system, and the unlockable cartoons on the bonus disc are a hoot. Yep, it's definitely as odd as it sounds, but if that's your thing (I know it's mine), then you'll have a blast with this title.

Rated: 7.5 out of 10
Editor: Jeremy Zoss


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Product Description

Ribbit King is a must-have for fans of both crazy racing games and wild platformers. Planet Hippitron is short on natural resources - to secure some, Scooter must win the powerful "Super Ribbinite". To do that, he'll race on 20 different courses, across 5 different worlds. Beat all your opponents at Frolfing to earn the prize -- and save your world!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a BLAST!, July 21, 2004

By 

C. Pagan "Crispy" (Spring, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Ribbit King (Video Game)

I bought this game a couple of weeks ago because it was a 4 player game that our family could play together. Didn't have a clue what it would be like, but the cover was cute. We have had a blast with it. Both of my girls (age 7 & 12) love it and I have become addicted to the single player game to try and become the Frolf Champion. As you beat opponents you then get those added to the players that you can chose from in the regular Frolf multiplayer game. We have been playing it almost every night for the last 2 weeks and have not tired of it yet.

Love it, Love it, Love it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Is a Great Family Game, September 17, 2006

By 

Jody "bigdumptruckdotcom" (Leominster, MA USA) - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Ribbit King (Video Game)

I cannot stress enough how much fun my family has playing this game. Why there can't be more oddball games like this available is beyond me.

I have actually reached a point when we play a regular golf game that I long to have my ball slide on ice or be eaten by a snake.

Mom, dad and 8 year old still play this, 2 years after we bought it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars good game, July 17, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Ribbit King (Video Game)

this game is not really that bad. it was going to be $50.00 and now its $20.00. The game may look kiddly but its a really fun multiplayer game and although the game is mostly about luck. bandi worked hard and i think this game didnt get enough criedt so rent this game sometime u will like it.