Video game review: 'Cooking Mama 2' is fun and informative

Game Title: "Cooking Mama 2: Dinner With Friends"

Platform: Nintendo DS

Studio: Office Create/Majesco Entertainment

Rated: E for Everyone for Alcohol Reference

Rating: 7 out of 10

THE REVIEW

Gameplay: Last year, the Nintendo DS introduced "Cooking Mama" to the North American continent. The game was also released for the Wii, as well. This year, Majesco entertainment has offered up a second entree with "Cooking Mama 2: Dinner With Friends." It's the perfect second helping for the DS. Cooking contests with friends (who are your harshest critics), cooking alone and cooking with Mama who helps if a mistake is made are some of the play-selections on the new game. And there is also a selection to change Mama's character's outfit and look of the game. There is a "send" option that allows the gamer to link into the Nintendo DS wireless network and share recipes with gamers who don't have the game.

Graphics: Graphically speaking, the game runs the same as the first "Cooking Mama." The player creates international meals while following cooking directions. The food looks like cartoon counterparts of actual dishes that include sushi, cakes, doughnuts, T-bone steaks, apple pie and ice cream. The controls by the DS stylus is easy to use but sometimes gets a bit nit-picky on heating the stove.

Audio: "Cooking Mama 2" has a similar audio track to the Wii version. The sounds of the Japanese Mama talking in broken English is charming and funny, and the sounds of the veggies being chopped or the fish being scaled is appetizing. The music also sounds like the background music for those syndicated TV day-time cooking shows.

THE WRAP-UP:

"Cooking Mama 2: Dinner With Friends" is, like its predecessor, fun and informative. Gamers can see how a dish is made and the hand-eye coordination gets a workout.

Parent's take: Cooking calls for all kinds of ingredients, including alcohol.

Final word: "Cooking Mama 2: Dinner With Friends" is a fun, quick-paced DS game.