Nintendo is really hyping the use of their products as "lifestyle" machines, and one of the first applications to fit into that mode is Personal Training: Cooking. As you'd probably expect, the "game" for the DS shows you how to cook. It contains over 200 recipes from all over the world as well as detailed instructions. Our first question was: How is it better than a cookbook? Here's how:
- Voice Control: You can navigate through the cooking menus without ever touching the DS, which you cannot do with a cookbook (unless you have some kind of magical cookbook; in which case, invite us to dinner). This is the perfect thing for messy cooks like me who ruin cookbooks soon after opening them.
- Ingredients List: The onboard ingredients list makes your DS the perfect companion to bring to the supermarket. Plus, when you're in the checkout line, you can play Tecmo Bowl or use Picto-Chat to draw a picture of a dong.
- It's Like A Game: A non-cooker might decide to try out the the chefly arts if his DS tells him to.
- It's Searchable: You can search by region, ingredients, prep time and even allergies. Click on a country in the world map and savor the exotic taste sensation of the mystical Far East.
- It's Detailed: Cooking Trainer provides the perfect level of detail by allowing you to get more info on cooking terms--so if you need to know how to boil water, you can click that step and a video demonstration will help you out. So you can finally learn the mystical secret to the difference between dicing and chopping.
- It's Stealthy: Let's say you're a smooth ladies man, and you invite a girl over for a meal. If you're smart about it, you can cook the entire meal without her knowing you're using a cheat device--make sure you turn down the volume! She'll think you're a natural chef, and you'll get crazy sexytime monkey action love. It's guaranteed!
Of course, the real test of a cooking game is the quality of the food it produces. Nintendo was kind enough to employ the chef at the Marriott where they held their annual Media Summit. He used the DS to make delicious meals. I tried the Veal with butter and lemon pictured below, and man, it was awesome. I ate that whole plate of veal and didn't share it with any of my fellow video game journalists. I'm a damn glutton!
Comment(s)
First, have the makers of this app. hook up with food network or/and allrecipes.com so you can surf for new foods and import to the game.
Secondly, you know how some kiosks are in stores? Have one in grocery stores that allow you to browse for new recipes and wirelessly link to your DS. You could even have it sell DS accessories and the "game" right there to promote it to users outside the gaming world. I know if it had some of these options, my Mother or even my Grandmother would not mind it.. they have bought just about every other cookbook in the world..