Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7082 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Nintendo
• Released on: 2007-02-23
• Platform: Nintendo Wii

Amazon.co.uk Review
You may already have played a mini-game on the Wii, in something like Rayman Raving Rabbids or WarioWare, where you have to move a ball through a maze simply by tilting the Wii remote. Kororinpa (basically the Japanese equivalent of the word "plink") is those mini-games expanded and turned into a whole game. It’s also not too dissimilar to Super Monkey Ball, in the sense that you control the maze, not the ball, moving the remote to tilt the game world and get your little marble to the goal on each level. Unlike Monkey Ball though the game works in full 3D, with you twisting and turning the maze so that one minute you’re rolling down a slide which you then twist around to become the ceiling or wall.

As you might imagine the added complexity of thinking in three dimensions makes the game seem almost impossibly hard at times, but it’s ruthlessly fair and however much you might like to pretend failure is always your fault and not the game or the controller’s. Sensibly, developer Hudson has ensured that the maze designs are the only overcomplicated aspect, and there are a number of cute animal shaped marbles to unlock as well as some that are heavier or more bouncy. There’s also a split screen two player mode where oddly the second player has to use the nunchuck – a feature apparently added only to cause animosity between players as you fight for control. It’s not for the short of temper, but for those with the patience to play it this is the most rewarding puzzler for a long time.
HARRISON DENT

Manufacturer's Description
Prepare to rock and roll as your brain does a loop the loop with the ultimate Wii puzzle game. Using tilting Wii's motion sensitive Wii Remote with poise and precision, players must seek to navigate their favourite cute and quirky balls, each with their own look and varying benefits, through complex 3D mazes. Therefore no complicated button combinations are necessary, the tactile controls allow players to tip and tilt their environment in all directions, even upside-down to 180 degrees - making the game intuitive and easy for anyone to pick up and play, whilst still remaining challenging and addictive.

A steady hand and a keen strategic eye are key to keep your favourite ball on the right track in Kororinpa. As the maze is tilted the ball will move as it would in real life, as if pulled by gravity. But beware; too much slant could see the ball roll out of control off the edge of the maze sending the player back to the start! Whist progressing along the course, players must also collect all the Red Crystals to unlock the goal, which in turn unlocks the next maze adding yet more precision and strategy to the challenges.

To prove yourself as the ball master, you can also go head to head against a friend using one Wii Remote and Nunchuk controller, splitting the screen either horizontally or vertically. In multiplayer mode the first player to reach the end of the maze collecting all their Red Crystals will reign victorious over their fellow contender!

With over 50 quirky mazes available to unlock and five different environments to experience there will always be a new and exciting challenge around the corner. Each environment has its own unique music, obstacles and visual style for the player to enjoy. Whilst progressing through the game players should also keep a look out for Green Crystals that unlock secret environments and even more stages to challenge even the most experienced puzzlers.

As if that wasn't tricky enough, each of your balls has a varying level of Response, Speed, Slide and Bounce. Players must therefore select their ball carefully in order to successfully complete Kororinpa. As more levels are completed the types of balls that can be selected will increase, including balls such as a ladybug, cat, penguin, watermelon and even a pig, each boasting different characteristics and varying levels of control.

Customer Reviews

Insane Fun
Short but fun.

You control a variety of different marbles, from common or garden marble to cats, dogs & pandas complete with cute sound effects. The levels range from the trivial to insanely hard (until you learn a new trick). Level design is good with lots of "can I do this" moments where a new idea is rewarded. The game itself is rather short but unless you have very steady hands, good reflexs and plan your route completely from the preview screen I can guarantee you will be replaying certain levels over & over.

The game maybe unfairly compared to Wii Monkeyball but Kororinpa has none of the pointless Boss levels and is much slicker.

Hint; if you have a widescreen TV and the picture looks distorted, in the game set the screen shape to be 4:3 (!) as the Wii seems to handle the widescreen correctly then.

Rolling Fun
It's more than likely you'll be asking several questions on hearing about Kororinpa. The first is `Is this different enough from Super Monkey Ball to be worth getting?' and the second is `Is it good?'.

The answer to the first question is a simple `yes'. While the idea is very similar; roll your ball along a track by tilting the track and get to a specified point, collecting things along the way, Kororinpa differs by making the control very sensitive and open to a lot more movement with the Wii Remote.

This allows for a much more interesting experience, including actually being able to turn the course completely upside-down. You'll need the manoeuvrability, but for the first 20 levels, give or take the odd bit, you'll be wondering where the challenge is. Well, it appears soon enough, but that's the problem. Just as you get into the game you find yourself reaching the end.

And that's the answer to the second question. While this game is beautifully detailed, cute as a button and has some really well thought-out courses, it takes just a couple of hours for a good player to finish the initial courses. There are secret levels and another bunch of stages to unlock, but these last stages are just the first ones mirrored, which feels a bit like a cheap trick from the programmers.

The graphics really shine out and people watching you play will notice all sorts of small details that will make them fall in love with the game. The control system is perfect too and only the camera occasionally lets it down (you can't move it while playing, which is a slight oversight to say the least). There are lots of different balls to unlock, including a dog, cat, pig, rugby ball and UFO, all of which have subtle (and not so subtle) differences. There's even a nice little two player mode which is basic but works well and adds some value to the game.

It's such a good game that once you play it you'll want to recommend it. But you know that pretty much everyone with any skill will complete it sooner rather than later. Ultimately, you'll feel as if you've played an amazing game, but it was all over too soon.

Fantastic fun - Miss this and miss out
I was a bit sceptical when I first started playing this title, but before long I was truly hooked!

You control a ball (many different variations become available including a penguin, pig and UFO among others), which you have to guide through each stage without falling off and collect all the crystals on the way.

The difficulty level starts gently to ease you in and allow you to get to grips with the controls, but quickly the levels start to challenge even the hardened marble rollers amongst us. The visuals are superb with the detail of the ground far below and the wonderfully inventive levels and themes adding to the beauty of the game.

The game has been a hit with the whole family, from me, a keen gamer, to my five year old daughter, right up to my parents (60+) who were on it for ages.

I have one complaint which is that the game is not long enough, there needed to be more levels to make the game feel more of a challenge. Although the later levels are VERY hard and the bonus levels too, I was left wanting more when I completed the game......

However, the 2 player mode provides so much longevity, with fantastic split screen races to keep you rolling into the small hours.

A superb title, well worth picking up!!!!