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Simple & Addicting

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 20 / 22
Date: June 20, 2005
Author: Amazon User

What could be simpler than matching three or more like items in a row and clearing them from the board? Not much and that's the basic control scheme of my new addiction, Zoo Keeper.

Like Othello and Tetris, Zoo Keepers controls and rules are simple enough for any type of gamer to understand right away, yet the gameplay is varied and can be rather deep. Aside from the basic game of meeting the levels quota of animal tiles to progress to the next level, there is a Quest Mode that gives you challenges like only matching one type of animal and Time Attack in which you only have 6 minutes to clear as many animal tiles as possible.

My favorite feature though is 2 Player Battle. If you have a friend with a Nintendo DS, you can play against each other wirelessly with only one Zoo Keeper game. Download time to the second DS is under a minute so before you know it you're battling your friend. For every animal tile and combo you score, your opponents timer is reduced.

Other games may have flashier graphics and bigger hype machines but few can rival Zoo Keeper in sheer fun. A must for every DS owner who likes puzzle games.

The best portable puzzler in a LONG time

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 19 / 22
Date: April 30, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Zoo Keeper (2004.)

INTRODUCTION:
Ever since Nintendo released the Game Boy in 1989 and included Tetris with it, video game companies have always strived to create puzzlers for portable consoles - games that would be easy to learn but tough to master, and portable too. Although many games like this were released over the years, no one ever seemed to be able to top Tetris. With the arrival of Nintendo's new DS portable gaming system in 2004, many game companies jumped at the opportunity to make games for the new portable system. Among these games was a new puzzler - Zoo Keeper, from Ignition Entertainment. Read on for my review of the DS puzzler.

PROS:
Ignition Entertainment has succeeded beautifully at creating one of those games that is easy to learn but tough to master - and it's highly addictive, too. The concept of the game is simple enough - match up vertical or horizontal roles of animal faces to make them disappear - and bring more onto the screen. Every match brings you closer to advancing to the next level and gives you more time. Gameplay continues until time runs out. The gameplay takes place on the bottom DS screen, making this the perfect game for using your DS stylus pen (alternatively you can move the cursor around with the control pad, but you'll fast find that the touch screen is the best way to do business.) Another great feature is wireless multiplayer - you only need one copy of the game, as long as each player has their own DS. It won't take long before you're hooked to this game the way I am. And considering it's cheaper than a lot of other DS titles out there, what have you got to lose?

CONS:
Really, there's not a whole lot wrong with this game. One problem is that it's not likely to hold your attention forever (once you play multiplayer, you'll fast discover that the standard one-player games pale in comparison.) While a fun game, no puzzle game will eternally have a hold of your interest. Still, if you're bored and on the go, and you need a quick timekiller, you'll find that this game is ideal.

OVERALL:
Overall this is a great game, and one of the finest DS releases so far. Chances are that a lot of game developers are going to try to make puzzle titles for the DS, and this is proof that they're going to be able to make some damn good ones. If you've got a DS and you like puzzle games, don't hesitate to pick this one up.

zoo keeper

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 12 / 13
Date: January 30, 2005
Author: Amazon User

very good game. Only for puzzle fans though. I am a puzzle fan so i really like this game.

- get 3 of the same type of animal in a row and more random animals will fall in their place

- there are many differnent modes so you wont get bored. A little expensive for the simple game but all the modes almost make up for it.

- i havent tried the multiplayer yet so i dont know how it is

overall very good game for puzzle lovers

only con is that they set the computer highscores way too high so it's really hard to get on the hight score board

Zoo Keeper....boy, is it addicting......

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 9
Date: March 05, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I'm a big fan of the PC Puzzle game, Bejeweled. Considering that I've always wanted Bejeweled to play on the go and, as of this writing, they've yet to bring it to the Gameboy Advance...I've waited patiently for a puzzle game similar to it. When I'd heard that Zoo Keeper was, basically, a Bejeweled clone except with Animals instead of Jewels; I approached it with some hesitance. How could a puzzle game like that be as addicting as Bejeweled? Well, I got Zoo Keeper and, now after playing, it's even more addicting than Bejeweled to me. There's something endearing about the game that makes you want to play. It has a storyline to it, for one, in which you play as a zoo keeper. You must keep the animals orderly by lining them up in rows of three or more. With several different playmodes(such as my favorite, quest)- you have different variety in your gameplay so things are always interesting. Plus, you can play against others with only one card considering they have a DS, too. The wacky thing about Zoo Keeper is that it's extremely simple... simpler than most other puzzle games. Anyone can pick it up and play.
Gripes?....well, the only gripe I had with Zoo Keeper is the gameplay soundtrack. It can get rather annoying, at times, yet once you play it awhile..it continues to play on in your head long after you've finished the game.
Other than that...Zoo Keeper is fun, addicting, and challenging. Who cares that it's a clone of Bejeweled. I know I sure don't. This is definitely a keeper for all puzzle game fans.

Very Addicting!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 8
Date: February 17, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Ok. So I'm a 35 year old adult and I'm addicting to this video game. I don't even normally play video games! I got this for my 10 year old son for Valentines Day. He made the mistake of showing me how to play because now I'm addicted and he's not getting any time to play. haha! It is definately for people who enjoy puzzle games. For those of you who like puzzle games, I strongly recommend "Zoo Keeper."

The most addicting game ever!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: March 23, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I've heard this game was available for the PC, but never played it on that format. But when I saw it for the DS, I picked up figuring it would be something cool to play. Apparently, it takes up too much of my time-- the game is extremely addicting and just too much fun to play (just line-up 3 like-kind animals to clear them-- sort of like a Tetris or Columns theme). As an experienced gamer for 24 years, never have I came accross such a game that is so simple and yet so addicting. The stylus works perfectly with this game, the music is catchy, there are a variety of game modes, and the humorous "boss" and humorous animal expressions will keep you laughing and upbeat.

The only problem with this game is that there doesn't seem to be any "end"-- or at least I haven't found one. All you do is basically try to outscore your highest score. Can't wait to see if they'll make a Zookeeper 2 with different animals.

Another proof polygon counts doesn't count

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 8
Date: June 11, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Zoo Keeper is a very straight forward game. Like most puzzle games, you need to group animals together and make them disappear so you "capture" them back into the zoo that they ran loose from. The gameplay is so easy that anyone can pick it up and play. Nonetheless, the migration to DS made the game even more accessible for the general audience. Instead of move curser, select and press button to confirm, on DS all you need to do is point and move. That makes the interface so much simpler and non-gamer friendly. I gave it to a colleague who has never played video game to try. She tried it and addicted to it cos she said it is so easy to play. Now she is considering getting a pink DS just to play this game.

Nonetheless, games applying the same gameplay throughout needs different ways to keep you going. Zoo Keeper has several modes - main game, marathon race, quest, battle etc., though applying the same principles but using different constraint. For example in the quest mode you have to meet certain conditions to pass through each stage and score a higher mark. If you managed to score high marks in all the single player mode, you can unlock the Master or extremely difficult mode to challenge yourself. This kind of keep the game going for you.

Graphics wise it doesn't have superb polygon counts. The debate of processing power for the DS died down after it successfully captured the market and fended off the aggression from PSP, remaining as the market leader. Zoo Keeper is a good indication of the advantage of easy gameplay. This kind of puzzle game is definitely a good choice for you to play on the go or just stay home chill out and kill time. If you are into puzzle games like Tetris, Zoo Keeper will be a good choice for you - with some subtle humour scatter around the game too :)

Best Game Boy puzzle game since Tetris?

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: April 29, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I know, that's quite a claim, but I think it's true. Yes, it's basically Bejeweled, but there are enough new features to make this an instant classic.

The gameplay is addictive, even though the basic premise is simple (switch icons to line up at least three in a row of the same icon, which makes those icons disappear and more fall into place). The music will get stuck in your head, the lil' animals are preciously cute, and--as another reviewer mentioned--the imperfect translations of your boss' comments are hilarious (my favorite is the incomprehensible "78 points?", when it's impossible to actually score 78 points in the game).

The timed mode is the best, since you can always try to better your score and you know the game will only last six minutes...and seeing how fast you can clear the first stage is a lot of fun, too (my best: 6 seconds).

And of course, beating the game gives you the secret origin of the zookeeper himself! Something to shoot for in Normal mode...

Great puzzle game, but not much else.

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 4 / 6
Date: December 13, 2005
Author: Amazon User

This game is an upgraded Tetris game. Your screen is filled with little animal heads all stacked up. Using the stylus or d-pad, you move these heads around and try to make a chain of at least three of the same head. There are many different modes to choose from, and there is even a two player mode. It really makes you think and brings out the puzzle player in you.

There are a few cons in this game, however. The two player battle mode is very short, and there is only one mode to choose from. The game may not be the game that will keep you busy for multiple hours, but instead, a game that is better played periodically. There also isn't much of a story line, just puzzles. The game is a great puzzle game, but for players who enjoy more adventure or actiony games, this is not the game for you.

Overall, this game is not bad, but not my favorite. I guess it just depends on the person playing.

It's The Best Puzzle For My DS

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 4 / 6
Date: May 03, 2006
Author: Amazon User

It's Pretty Much Bejewled (witch is an online puzzle game) But With Animal And On My DS. But You Will Probobly Think " Hmph. Zoo Keeper? how Childish." Well It's Not Like That. It Will Never Get Boring And Better Than (almost) Evrey DS Game. And ?There You Have it.

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