There is a title that rolls off the tongue. It roughly translates as "Solving Crayon-chans' mystery" - I'm sure you are fascinated. Brought to us courtesy of the same people who brought the Daemons game on the 3DO - Future Pirates.
Children. The future of the species? Or bone idol little lay-abouts that a good clip around the ear couldn't put straight?
I tend, as I steam towards over-maturity, to lean towards the latter. Crayon Shin-chan adding considerable fuel to this fire of belief.
My understanding of Japanese is weak at the very best but I have fostered an instinctual dislike of loud disrespectful children that transcends race, religion, creed and colour.
I dislike Crayon Shin-chan enormously. The over-fed rat like child grated on me like nails down a blackboard.
It is then gratifying to find out that the irritating little Crayon Shin-chan is disliked by some in Japan too - However not all. And since the little toe-rags first appearance on TV Asahi in 1992 he has rose and rose-in fame. Asahi being more famous in the West for a alcoholic drink of the same name - and you'll need a stiff drink after watching this little demon for five minutes, if you are capable of understanding Japanese or not!
The game it self is based on a traditional computer puzzle game, a variant of Tetris or Warps Trip'D also on the 3DO.
Pieces relevant to the character you are playing fall from the top of the screen. These need to manipulated by pressing A,B or C on the controller and slotted into place before they reach the bottom. The objective is to group the falling objects into groups of four forming square shapes. Once achieved a question-mark will fall from the top, incorporate this object into another group of four and your opponent will have extra-blocks added to their side or the screen will change colour to obscure what they are doing or some other act of hindrance to their game.
All would be well - except for Crayon Shin-chans annoying little jibes at his parents every time you succeed in disrupting his parents game.
The difficulty scales and eventually you will face Daimoan the ultimate baddy - and no doubt to readers of Japanese solve the puzzle.
The game play is very good. The first round where you play against Shin-chans father is actually credibly different to other games in the same genre. The second and third levels continue this theme of variety while maintaining a well balanced difficulty. Not too easy, not to difficult. The game succeed in drawing you in far enough to make you want to keep playing.
In fact only Shin-chan himself ruins this game ultimately - which is a shame.
Quite rare too!
3DO Kid.
