Flipper Critters - Nintendo DS

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 ([...]) 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.

I recommend to see a selection of videos to see if you like it - search google for videos of this game.What I like:1 - hypnotic music2 - unusual things happen - the ball gets carried away by a bird...3 - the ball rolls from one table to another to another with different sceneries - and even more tables to unlock.My personal judgement: Not for playing hours and hours each day - but a few minutes once a week - yes - fun for me - the best DS game I have tried so far.

I really enjoy this game and bought another as a gift.It's simple and relaxing

This game was a gift, I personally have not played it. But my son has enjoyed it very much and was very pleased with it.

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!