Joystiq

Joystiq of cooking: Skyrim's 'Potage le Magnifique'

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST

"But in order to make the Potage le Magnifique truly magnificent, it takes the imagination of a truly inspired chef. Do you have that gift?" - The Gourmet, Uncommon Taste
Skyrim's civil strife, political intrigue and high adventure are best experienced on a full stomach. Good thing the lands of the north have The Gourmet's Uncommon Taste cookbook. The Potage le Magnifique is described in the in-game book as The Gourmet's signature dish, a simple alchemical culinary concoction of stock, vegetables and flour.

Joystiq editor Dave Hinkle and I went through the process of creating The Gourmet's simple porridge potion that has "caused grown men to weep with with joy." Head on past the break for our text-based culinary adventure, or download our experience in audio form from iTunes, Zune or DnAFoodcast.com.

Gallery: Skyrim's 'Potage le Magnifique'

Continue reading Joystiq of cooking: Skyrim's 'Potage le Magnifique'

Joystiq of cooking: Skyrim's 'Potage le Magnifique' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Majesco reports drop in Q1 profits

JC Fletcher — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 03:00:00 EST

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.

Majesco reports drop in Q1 profits originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cooking Mama taking on two more side jobs this year

JC Fletcher — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:45:00 EST

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.

Cooking Mama taking on two more side jobs this year originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cooking Mama coming to arcades, looks pretty unsanitary

Griffin McElroy — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST

We hate to go all Howard Hughes on you guys, but we must admit: This touch-screen equipped arcade version of Cooking Mama fills every bone in our body with germophobic discomfort. That can partially be attributed to the fact that we've seen our fair share of filthy hands attached to the wrists of arcade dwellers. Then again, perhaps we just have a visceral, sickening reaction to seeing raw fish being prepared by the aforementioned unwashed digits. Gyyeeeuuuuhhh.

Check out some footage from the arcade port after the jump, then go ahead and cancel that reservation for Red Lobster. You won't be needing (or wanting) it any time soon.

[Via GoNintendo]

Continue reading Cooking Mama coming to arcades, looks pretty unsanitary

Cooking Mama coming to arcades, looks pretty unsanitary originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joyswag: Cooking Mama 3 and Cake Mania 3 (DS) [update]

David Hinkle — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:15:00 EST

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

Joyswag: Cooking Mama 3 and Cake Mania 3 (DS) [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cooking Mama 3 trailer, fresh from the oven

JC Fletcher — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:15:00 EST

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 trailer, fresh from the oven originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cooking Mama 3: Shop & Chop your troubles away

JC Fletcher — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:10:00 EST

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: Cooking Mama 3: Shop and Chop (DS)

Cooking Mama 3: Shop & Chop your troubles away originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E3 2009 highlights: The Nintendo roundup

James Ransom-Wiley — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST

Nintendo E3 2009 checklist:

Mario? *check*
Zelda? *check*
Metroid? *check*

Are we missing something? Head past the break to find out!

Continue reading E3 2009 highlights: The Nintendo roundup

E3 2009 highlights: The Nintendo roundup originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wonderful! 505 Games announces Cooking Mama 3 for DS

JC Fletcher — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:30:00 EST

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!

Wonderful! 505 Games announces Cooking Mama 3 for DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Majesco serving Cooking Mama 3 to E3 attendees

JC Fletcher — Fri, 08 May 2009 09:45:00 EST

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.

Majesco serving Cooking Mama 3 to E3 attendees originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 May 2009 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joystiq impressions: Food Network: Cook or Be Cooked

Randy Nelson — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 06:30:00 EST

click for a larger steak -- it's what's for dinner

Cook or Be Cooked -- quite an ominous subtitle to a Food Network game for Wii, no? Fortunately, the only thing potentially dangerous we spotted in our hands-off demo of Food Network: Cook or Be Cooked was a scolding by silly-looking caricatures of the network's personalities.

To be honest, it wasn't the thought of learning to prepare food properly via a video game that intrigued us. We just had to check out a cooking game by Red Fly, developer of Mushroom Men and the upcoming Wii version of Ghostbusters: The Video Game. That and the title is slated to utilize Wii MotionPlus -- but it wasn't doing so at the event.

The brief demo we watched took place inside a nicely realized virtual kitchen, with the demoer following steps on a recipe card to make steak and mashed potatoes. The former required the proper oven temperature (turn the Wiimote to twist the knob, naturally) and frying pan handling. The steak was left in the oven too long, causing the kitchen to fill with smoke. Potatoes had to be cut with small chopping motions and, later, pulverized by holding the Wiimote vertically and mashing away.

More of a simulation than the arcade fun of Cooking Mama, Food Network: Cook or Be Cooked could easily be renamed "Learning to Cook Without Ruining Real Ingredients." Now, if you'll excuse us, we have some bacon to waggle.

Gallery: Food Network: Cook or Be Cooked

Joystiq impressions: Food Network: Cook or Be Cooked originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ubisoft's My Healthy Cooking Coach is DSi Enhanced

JC Fletcher — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST

Ubisoft just announced its first game to take advantage of the DSi's camera feature, and it's, uh, My Healthy Cooking Coach (or simply My Cooking Coach in the UK). The game will work on both DS and DSi, but DSi owners will have access to ten extra recipes for some reason (mostly just to make DSi owners feel special, probably), and will be able to use pictures taken with the DSi camera in their own chef profiles. The press release mentions DS and DSi versions, so we've contacted Ubisoft to clarify, in case there are separate cartridges for each system [Update: it's just one DSi-enhanced cartridge].

My Cooking Coach contains 240 healthy recipes, along with "tips and tricks to create healthy and delicious meals that will delight friends and family." My Cooking Coach will arrive in June.

Gallery: My Healthy Cooking Coach (DS)

Ubisoft's My Healthy Cooking Coach is DSi Enhanced originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Metareview: Cooking Mama: World Kitchen

David Hinkle — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 18:21:00 EST

Filed under: Metareview

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?

Metareview: Cooking Mama: World Kitchen originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Nov 2008 18:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PETA plans to continue to use games to spread its message

David Hinkle — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:21:00 EST

Filed under: News

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.

PETA plans to continue to use games to spread its message originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PETA plans on making more games to spread message

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:40:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Business

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]

PETA plans on making more games to spread message originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VC Friday: Strong Bad, Cubello, cooking, billiards

Chris Greenhough — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: News, WiiWare

Four new WiiWare titles came down the tubes in Europe and Australia today, and the selection couldn't be more diverse. Art Style: Cubello and Strong Bad Episode 3: Baddest of the Bands you'll already know about, but CueSports and Yummy Yummy Cooking Jam are more mysterious beasts. The former looks promising, the latter, er, not particularly great, according to the few reviews that are about.

Art Style: Cubello -- WiiWare -- 600 Wii Points
CueSports -- Snooker vs. Billiards -- WiiWare -- 800 Wii Points
Strong Bad Episode 3: Baddest of the Bands -- WiiWare -- 1000 Wii Points
Yummy Yummy Cooking Jam -- WiiWare -- 1000 Wii Points

Footage of all these is past! The! Break!

Continue reading VC Friday: Strong Bad, Cubello, cooking, billiards

VC Friday: Strong Bad, Cubello, cooking, billiards originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Majesco responds to PETA's Cooking Mama parody

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Nintendo Wii, Simulations

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.

Majesco responds to PETA's Cooking Mama parody originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mama responds to PETA

David Hinkle — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:13:00 EST

Filed under: News

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.

Mama responds to PETA originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cooking Mama vs. Regular Mama

JC Fletcher — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:10:00 EST

Filed under: Video

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.

Cooking Mama vs. Regular Mama originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Show and Tell: Edibles

Alisha Karabinus — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Show and Tell

Gamer cakes, cookies, and cupcakes have become a staple of the community, because hey, we've all gotta eat. But there's no reason your food should be at all normal! There's no canvas like the edible canvas, and because of that (or maybe because we're hungry), we're shining this week's community spotlight on sweet treats (with a gaming spin). Take the guided tour here, or just hop right into the gallery below!

Gallery: Show and Tell: Edibles

Show and Tell is all about fan stuff, so long as it's Nintendo-related. We love to see your collections, your crafts, your frosted creations, your t-shirts and swag of all sorts.Just snap a few pictures, tell us what's up, and send it all to showmeit [at] dsfanboy [dot] com. We'll take care of the rest. Not a handy type, but found something neat? Send us a link instead.

Show and Tell: Edibles originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PETA Flash game puts us off Cooking Mama, food

JC Fletcher — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:35:00 EST

Filed under: News

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 Flash game puts us off Cooking Mama, food originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PETA parody grills Cooking Mama

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii

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.

Continue reading PETA parody grills Cooking Mama

PETA parody grills Cooking Mama originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Retail and download releases for the week of November 17th

David Hinkle — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, Virtual Console, WiiWare

Just as we all found out last week, today marks the release of the fourth episode of Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People. Oh, and we're also getting a bunch of other games. This week, seriously, has a lot of games. Head on past the break for the full list.

Also, our apologies. There likely won't be a VC Monday Madness video today, but we'll try to get it up as soon as we can. Sorry!

Continue reading Retail and download releases for the week of November 17th

Retail and download releases for the week of November 17th originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Delightful deal on bundles at Amazon

JC Fletcher — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

If you're in the market for a new DS Lite for yourself or a lucky giftee, you may want to have a look at this Amazon deal. From now until November 15, if you purchase a DS Lite and one of a selection of games, the game's price will be knocked down to $4.99.

The eligible games include, among others, Millionheir, Flash Focus, Cooking Mama, Clubhouse Games, and both Brain Ages. It's clear that these selections were chosen with the "expanded audience" in mind, and consequently, this deal is a great way to get someone started with the DS.

Oh, and if you want a second $5 game, today's Deal of the Day is The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.

Delightful deal on bundles at Amazon originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mama cooks up a recipe for cuteness

Alisha Karabinus — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Screens

Cooking Mama: World Kitchen is almost here, and that means the powers that be are working very hard to convince Wii owners that Mama is cute as ever, even if she's had a little work done. These latest screens do an excellent job of proving their point, with their adorable high fives and Mama poking herself in the eye. Guess those fleshed-out limbs take a little getting used to.

Check out the gallery below for new screens, and if those aren't enough to satiate your appetite for Mama, head on over to GAME Watch to see more.

Mama cooks up a recipe for cuteness originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cooking Mama: World Kitchen screens are convincingly adorable

JC Fletcher — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:25:00 EST

Filed under: Screens

While we love Cooking Mama and eagerly await the November 18th release of Cooking Mama: World Kitchen, our excitement has been tempered a bit by the decision to go all-3D. We love the hand-drawn Mama character that accompanied previous DS and Wii games, and we've found it hard to accept the new low-poly 3D models.

Well, after perusing the latest screenshots, we give up. Okay, Taito/Cooking Mama Ltd./Majesco, your new Cooking Mama game is very cute. We look forward to creating our own very cute character to interact with the cute Cooking Mama in the cute cooking game. We can see the traditional graphics in Gardening Mama, anyway!

Cooking Mama: World Kitchen screens are convincingly adorable originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cooking Mama invading North American kitchens on Nov. 18

David Hinkle — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:27:00 EST

Filed under: News

For those of you that read our write-up of the game back at E3, you know we thoroughly enjoyed our brief time with Mama in Cooking Mama: World Kitchen. Now, the game has been dated for North America, arriving on our shores November 18th. Cooking Mama: World Kitchen boasts over 50 recipes and co-op gameplay, and will not be as punishing as the original, as one failed step in the recipe doesn't destroy the whole meal.

So, who's excited to put on their apron and get to cooking with Mama?

[Via CVG]

Cooking Mama invading North American kitchens on Nov. 18 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DS Fanboy Review: What's Cooking? with Jamie Oliver

JC Fletcher — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Reviews

For Atari's slightly weird cooking trainer/cookbook What's Cooking? With Jamie Oliver (technically the box says What's Cooking? Jamie Oliver, but I don't think I want to call it that), I decided a traditional review probably wasn't the best idea. So I decided to take cues from my colleagues, the Cooking Guide experts, and make a gallery of my experience cooking a recipe from the game -- in this case blueberry, banana, and mascarpone pancakes. As the perfect garnish for this food metaphor, a somewhat abbreviated review appears below, followed by a link into my pancakes gallery!

Gallery: What's Cooking? with Jamie Oliver

Continue reading DS Fanboy Review: What's Cooking? with Jamie Oliver

DS Fanboy Review: What's Cooking? with Jamie Oliver originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What's Cooking with Jamie Oliver's Trailer

JC Fletcher — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Video

One of the biggest -- and weirdest -- surprises of E3 was What's Cooking? With Jamie Oliver. Far from a Cooking Guide ripoff, What's Cooking is some kind of hands-on cooking trainer combined with an interactive recipe book. It seems like, even if people don't want it or don't like it (or it turns out not to be good), significant enough thought (and budget) has gone into this game to prevent its classification as shovelware.

This NSFG (Not Safe for Greenhough) trailer doesn't feature any of the 3D kitchen stuff or the simulated cooking, focusing instead on the actual recipes. But man, that sweet potato soup sounds good.

Gallery: What's Cooking? with Jamie Oliver

What's Cooking with Jamie Oliver's Trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Your daily dose of Alton Brown (oh, and that Iron Chef game)

Alisha Karabinus — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

If you wanted a dose of Alton Brown on your Wii -- as some of you unashamedly admitted -- then know that today will be the very best Sunday you'll experience all week long. Why? Observe the superior visage above ... the thoughtful pose and noble brow. Yes, dear reader, it is he: Alton Brown. Destineer released character portraits for some of Iron Chef America's key players as part of the promotion for the upcoming Iron Chef America: Supreme Cuisine, and Alton Brown has his place there, along with three of the chefs.

The excitement doesn't end there, either -- if they've got a portrait in our gallery below, then they'll be fully voiced in the game, so you'll get to hear Brown calling the shots (and hear Mario Batali and others describing their dishes) when the game is released this fall.

[Via press release]

Your daily dose of Alton Brown (oh, and that Iron Chef game) originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 24 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not-So-Iron Fanboy, Part II: Evaluation

Alisha Karabinus — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:50:00 EST

Filed under: Reviews, Features

So we've tracked down ingredients, crafted our meals, and gobbled down the results ... but how effective is the Cooking Guide, really? Will it turn a total newbie into a master chef? Will it at least help you make dinner? The intrepid DS Fanboy "chefs" who undertook the cook-off are back for a deeper look at the title, which is headed soon to the U.S. Once it's out, should you give it a shot? Let us help you decide.

NEXT >>

Not-So-Iron Fanboy, Part II: Evaluation originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A new Wii game so yummy, they named it twice

JC Fletcher — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, WiiWare

A mysterious new Wii game showed up on the Australian OFLC ratings database, called Yummy Yummy Cooking Jam. It's approximately one yummy yummier than a plain old Yummy Cooking Jam. And ... that's all we know! You don't really get much gameplay information from a rating.

Well, we do know a bit more information. It's developed by Virtual Toys S.L., developer of ... several Imagine series games. And it's being published by Nintendo, which to us is a signal for WiiWare. And, actually, even if it does turn out to be Imagine-style, we wouldn't mind a WiiWare cooking game for five bucks or so as a distraction.

A new Wii game so yummy, they named it twice originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Aug 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not-So-Iron Fanboy: Cooking Guide Cook-Off

Alisha Karabinus — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: How-tos, Features

As soon as the Cooking Guide was released in English, we here at DS Fanboy understood one thing: it was necessary that we put the software to the test in a bloody, violent, no-holds-barred, steel cage cook-off the likes of which would put Iron Chef (both versions) to shame. Sadly, budget constraints (and, uh, laws) prevented the sort of Thunderdome-esque event we hand in mind, though, so instead, we're just having a normal cook-off.

One hobbyist cook. One bachelor. One shot at three recipes, supported by the Cooking Guide. Will they be able to produce the same meal, with the same results? Will the Guide serve as a workable cookbook for the knowledgeable, and an aid for those who aren't? We put it to the test.

Continue reading Not-So-Iron Fanboy: Cooking Guide Cook-Off

Not-So-Iron Fanboy: Cooking Guide Cook-Off originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E308: Wii Fanboy flips burgers in Cooking Mama: World Kitchen

David Hinkle — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Features

Click to embiggen

I should preface this by saying I'm not a huge Cooking Mama fan. Sure, she's great and all, but preparing fake food often held a spot in my heart next to making real food. I'm just no good at either activity. But, that isn't to say that Cooking Mama: World Kitchen isn't better by leaps and bounds than its predecessor.

Continue reading E308: Wii Fanboy flips burgers in Cooking Mama: World Kitchen

E308: Wii Fanboy flips burgers in Cooking Mama: World Kitchen originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Whip up a batch of Cooking Mama: World Kitchen screens

Phil Larsen — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:15:00 EST

Filed under: News, Screens

Well, we heard the news not too long ago. Cooking Mama: World Kitchen is getting down to serious business, with updated 3D graphics and sophisticated moton controls. Hooray, huzzah -- too often have we wished the Wiimote to be a spatula for flipping burgers. Why enjoy the sight, smell and taste of cooking real burgers when you can do it without all those sensory annoyances?

Yes, it's always fun to laugh at "life" simulation games (even if this life is a cartoon featuring big-head Mamas and cooking scores). The real truth, though, is that Cooking Mama games are usually pretty fun, and the fresh new gallery shows a pretty decent look at the upcoming Wii installment. Bon appetit!

[Via press release]

Whip up a batch of Cooking Mama: World Kitchen screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E308: The Jamie Oliver game is ... really cool?

JC Fletcher — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 08:45:00 EST

Filed under: News

Yeah, I'm kind of surprised. I passed by a demo of What's Cooking? Jamie Oliver at Atari's booth and I was overcome by curiosity. How abhorrent would a licensed celebrity-chef training game be? The answer, it would seem, is "not very abhorrent." I couldn't really figure out what to do that well, but not because the interface was bad -- What's Cooking is a hardcore cooking training game. Also pictures of Jamie Oliver show up from time to time, just to remind you that it's his game.

Imagine (in a non-dirty way) if Cooking Mama and Cooking Guide had a baby. What's Cooking teaches real-life recipes, and then has players simulate their preparation with touch-controlled actions. Without holding your hand, at all. I actually couldn't get past the initial steps of my first recipe, because the thing is so deep. To make a sugar paste (the first step), you have to first get a bowl out of your inventory of kitchen implements, then pour some sugar into the bowl, then mix it with a wooden spoon. To heat something up, you have to move it (via a 'stove' icon) to the stove area of the kitchen, then turn on the heat, and stir it around. The game doesn't really tell you when you're done, or even when you've failed. You just cook, like in real life. You could really learn how to cook by playing this.

Gallery: What's Cooking? with Jamie Oliver

E308: The Jamie Oliver game is ... really cool? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Jul 2008 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E308: Atari and irritating celebrity chef combine for cooking game

Chris Greenhough — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, Screens

It was, we suppose, inevitable. Nintendo's Cooking Guide released in Japan two years ago (as Cooking Navi), where it shifted a decent number of units. It recently emerged in Europe, and did pretty well there, too (it'll be coming to the U.S. this November). And what happens each time Nintendo releases a successful non-game? Answer: as sure as night follows day, (usually inferior) third-party alternatives appear.

That's what has happened here, with Atari following Nintendo into the cooking-with-your-DS arena. What's Cooking? with Jamie Oliver will feature 100 recipes (Cooking Guide has 245), space for 100 of your own, a shopping list mode, and competitive cooking games. It's very similar to Nintendo's game then (though apparently you can share recipes via WiFi), except you get to look at Jamie Oliver and his smug, squishy, Mockney face a whole lot more.

If, like this blogger, you regard Oliver as an affront to all that is decent about humankind, it might not be your thing. But it might be okay as a game.

Gallery: What's Cooking? with Jamie Oliver

[Via press release]

E308: Atari and irritating celebrity chef combine for cooking game originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E308: Cooking Guide headed to the U.S.

Candace Savino — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: News

Bad cooks, don't worry -- now you can bake your cake and eat it, too.

Nintendo is bringing its delightful-looking recipe game, Cooking Guide (known as Cooking Navi in Japan) to North America this November. Now you don't have to worry about paying a small fortune to import the nongame from Europe!

Cooking Guide mostly caters to those of us that are helpless in the kitchen, like this blogger. We're ready for Nintendo to help our cooking skills this November, and before you know it, we're sure we'll be competing on Top Chef.

Gallery: Cooking Guide: Can't Decide What to Eat?

E308: Cooking Guide headed to the U.S. originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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English version of DS recipe application coming to America in November

Kyle Orland — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:51:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo Wii

At Nintendo's E3 press conference this morning, the company announced that their an English version of their popular Japanese Nintendo DS recipe application, Cooking Nanny, will be coming to America in November. More as we get it.

English version of DS recipe application coming to America in November originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You're not good enough for Ubisoft's Hell's Kitchen game

Kyle Orland — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:25:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Nintendo DS, Mac, PC, Nintendo Wii

You! Stop what you're doing! What are you playing over there? Cooking Mama? You think that sort of pansy-ass cooking game is going to cut it here? You're pathetic! You wouldn't last a second in Ubisoft's video game version of the Fox TV show Hell's Kitchen, coming this September for the Wii, DS, PC and Macintosh.

That's right, you'd break down in tears the second a "faithfully rendered 3D Chef Ramsay" yelled at you for putting too much oregano in the marinara sauce or some other piddling infraction. Why don't you go running to your precious Cooking Mama if you can't take the pressure of "the show's high-pressure kitchen and dining room challenges." Of course, if you do that you won't get access to "authentic Gordon Ramsay recipes, including many that are offered exclusively to game owners." That's right, you play with the big boys, you get the big rewards.

Hold it! Did you just twist the Wii Remote when you were supposed to shake it? You did, didn't you. That's it, I'm closing this kitchen. You're cooking career is OVER!

Gallery: Hell's Kitchen

You're not good enough for Ubisoft's Hell's Kitchen game originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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