For those of you that are hip to WiiWare, Cocoto is not a new name for you. Cocoto’s fourth WiiWare release is “Cocoto Platform Jumper.” Featuring Cocoto, which looks like a tiny version of a devil or a dragon style creature, gamers will jump, run and spin their way about platforms. Momentum is used so you can travel either clockwise or counterclockwise to move about the platforms. While a clock does tick away to hurry you along, it just adds to the challenge to see if you can make it all the way without falling at all. Making it up to the top with time to spare adds bonus points to your overall score. But this isn’t just simply jumping from platform to platform; enemies are strewn about to falter you in any way possible.
Combat is simple as you are given a choice of two types of attacks. Flying pitchforks thrown with the Z button on the Nunchuk and arcs of molten lava cast forth with B on the remote are your weapons of choice. An added plus to the lava is that when dropped it acts as a bonus platform from which you can leap over enemies. Boss battles also work their way into the mix. Avoiding them and using your attacks to hurt them is essential to victory.
Single player isn’t the only thing “Cocoto Platform Jumper” has going for it. Two multiplayer modes are thrown in to keep the game fresh. Battle Mode, which unfortunately only supports 2 players, pits you and your opponent in a Smash Bros-style battle. Race Mode has 4 players going head to head to make it to the top.
The problem with CPJ lies in its jumping mechanics. Sometimes they don’t work the way you want it to, which can be very frustrating. For instance, you can hit trampolines to boost yourself into the air, only to end up moving too fast on the way down. An overused gimmick are the lava platforms, which gamers rely on to get through the game, they both hurt and help you. The platforms you use to get over someone or up to another level will sometimes break on you, so you constantly have to pay attention to that.
For the $7 price tag you’re getting plenty of bang for your buck. Decent gameplay and addicting multiplayer make “Cocoto Platform Jumper” something to check into despite its very few flaws.
Pros: Brawl Mode, visually appealing, quirky game play yet simple
Cons: 2 player only Brawl Mode, Jumping is kind of iffy
Sound: 3.0
Control: 2.75
Graphics: 3.0
Fun Factor: 3.0
The Info - Platform: WiiWare, Publisher/Developer: Neko Entertainment, ESRB: E, Players: 1-4, Price: 700 Wiipoints ($7)'
