Games

Best of 2008 | 07 | 06 | 05
Advanced Search

Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.

Kororinpa: Marble Mania

EMAIL PRINTwii

9.5 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 39 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 18 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >

Game Info

Publisher: Hudson Soft / Konami

Developer: Hudson Soft

Genre(s): Puzzle, Action

Players: 2

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Release Date: March 20, 2007

Summary

Using the Wii Remote, players navigate their balls through a series of complex 3D mazes. No complicated button combinations are required - just the tilt of the Wii Remote to tip and tilt the game environment in all directions. Each ball in the game has its own level of response, speed, slide and bounce, so the player must choose his balls carefully in order to successfully complete Kororinpa. As more mazes are completed, additional balls are be made available to choose from. These include balls such as ladybug, cat, penguin, watermelon and pig. Players can also go head-to-head with another player, splitting the screen horizontally or vertically, where the winner is the player to collect all the red crystals and reach the goal first. The game includes more than 50 mazes and five different environments, each with its own unique music, obstacles and visual style to enjoy.

Cheat Codes & Hints: GameSpot Hints & Cheats

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Hardcore Gamer Magazine

Kororinpa, feels like a solid beginning to what could become a beloved franchise. [May 2007, p.59]

NGamer UK

Kororinpa wowed us with its lithe 3D flexibility, but it lied about its depth. Now we're stuck: we can't ever go back to "Monkey Ball," but know we've been cheated. Life is so hard. [JPN Import; Mar 2007, p.48]

Read Full Review >

Official Nintendo Magazine UK

When it comes to party games or something the whole family can enjoy you could do worse than Kororinpa, but experienced gamers may feel annoyed at the lack of real challenge. [Mar 2007, p.70]

Game Informer

Kororinpa serves as a quick dose of fun. It just needs some more beef to keep players coming back.

Read Full Review >

GamingTrend

The game was a joy to watch my children play. I enjoyed the 1-player experience for a while, but quickly tired of some of the tedium.

Read Full Review >

The New York Times

The game is a lot of fun, but there isn’t a lot to it. You can get through all of the tracks in just a few hours.

Read Full Review >

Pelit (Finland)

A fun and reasonably original Marble Madness/Super Monkey Ball clone. The control system is excellent. Too bad the game is much too easy. [Apr 2007]

Worth Playing

The type of game that the Wii needs more of. It's instantly accessible, yet there are times when its genuine challenge and excellent design can cause the player to pull out his or her hair. Hudson needs to make a sequel to this ASAP.

Read Full Review >

Games Master UK

A short and simple game, but one you'll enjoy every second of. [May 2007, p.71]

Game Chronicles

Kororinpa: Marble Mania is without a doubt a fun and engaging game that works well on the Wii with its accurate and intuitive motion control.

Read Full Review >

1UP

The game's greatest fault, really, is that it's over too soon. Missed opportunities and some perspective oddities aside, Kororinpa: Marble Mania is a solid, charming puzzler.

Read Full Review >

PALGN

It’s a little rough around the edges and there’s not much in the way of variety here, but what it does do it does well.

Read Full Review >

GameBrink

Then - oh, as if Kororinpa hadn't lied to us about how much it has to offer - getting to the first 45 levels unlocks another 45 levels, but they're just the same levels reversed. Not played from back to front, just mirrored. It was about at this point that our heart broke, and we couldn't do anything but weep softly. [JPN Import]

Read Full Review >

Electronic Gaming Monthly

Marble mania ought to be the final test for any aspiring surgeon due to its requirement for a steady hand and a high level of patience. [Apr 2007, p.79]

Cheat Code Central

It's been nicely designed and it uses the Wii-mote's tilt motion-sensors to perfection. Those who need more action and get easily frustrated might not enjoy the game as much.

Read Full Review >

GameSpy

I would imagine that most people will finish and grow bored with Kororinpa in a couple of days. Still, it's one of those games that you really enjoy while it lasts -- it's just a little too simplistic for its own good.

Read Full Review >

Games Radar (in-house)

There could have been twice as many puzzles and we'd still want more. Kororinpa: Marble Mania is just plain fun.

Read Full Review >

Nintendo Power

Solid production values and a highly polished presentation(including an excellent soundtrack)round out the fun-but-understated package. [May 2007, p.87

VideoGamer

Gentle and frustrating in equal parts, on the whole Kororinpa is a worthy addition to any Wii library, presuming that you bought the console as you weren't interested in a constant supply of macho shooters and driving games.

Read Full Review >

games(TM)

With slightly more content and slightly improved visuals, it would have been essential. As it is, if you want a brief and thoroughly entertaining alternative to Banana Blitz, roll with this. [Feb 2007, p.124]

Thunderbolt

Few games can boast some of the best controls that the Wii has to offer.

Read Full Review >

Digital Entertainment News

This is a hard sell, but if you like puzzles check it out. The game is rewarding, but bring your own music to the party.

Read Full Review >

NTSC-uk

Kororinpa isn't a massively deep game - we're talking more like swimming pool than Marianas Trench - and as such it certainly won't take most people very long to plough through to the credits, but when compared games of this ilk there's still plenty to come back for.

Read Full Review >

NintendoWorldReport

Its greatest failing is simply that the fun ends too soon.

Read Full Review >

Gaming Target

Honestly, anyone interested spending over $40 on a game like this would be better off with Super Monkey Ball.

Read Full Review >

ZTGameDomain

Kororinpa is fun, but only in small doses. The lack of more levels, characters, and modes really hurt this otherwise solid game.

Read Full Review >

GameZone

It utilizes the Wii nicely. It’s not a game that will last a long time, though, and it doesn’t offer enough game hours to warrant the initial price.

Read Full Review >

IGN

A fun game; plain and simple. The design is solid, the gameplay is there for the most part, and the simple, intuitive control is charming and entertaining. Where the game lacks, however, it lacks in a huge way, offering only a handful of levels, a few extra marbles to tinker with, and no longevity to keep players coming back after the first couple hours.

Read Full Review >

Eurogamer

Controller novelty value can't disguise its one-trick limitations or the vanilla production values, and there's no doubt that it should have been released at a budget price. One to rent, then.

Read Full Review >

Edge Magazine

With handsomely designed environments, and a deviously three-dimensional approach to level design, Kororinpa is exactly the kind of simple, sustaining software that the Wii needs to build on. [Feb 2007, p.84]

GameDaily

Although the game provides mild amusement, thanks to well-designed stages and different types of marbles, it only takes a few hours to beat.. Its lack of difficulty combined with limited modes keep it from justifying its $39.99 price.

Read Full Review >

VGPub

It is a decent game in its own right and can be quite fun at times, but there is nowhere near enough content to justify its asking price.

Read Full Review >

G4 TV

So while the game doesn't go feature crazy like Sega's monkey handlers, it under-delivers, leaving players with a mile-long wish list of mini-games, activities and unlockables they long to see included in the sequel.

Read Full Review >

Gaming Age

Once the game reaches a 20-dollar price tag, by all means, it is worth having in your collection, but until then, maybe you should just stick to playing "Monkey Ball" while you wait.

Read Full Review >

GameShark

The simple controls and straightforward gameplay make it possible for anyone to play. Unfortunately, the number of levels is too small for the game to have any lasting appeal and issues with the camera can be frustrating.

Read Full Review >

GameSpot

Kororinpa: Marble Mania gets challenging too late and doesn't have enough levels to hold your interest for long.

Read Full Review >

GameTrailers

This mania is manic. It’s a bipolar challenge swinging wildly towards the mundane, with only the occasional blip of opposition and aggravation that would be welcomed as liberators.

Read Full Review >

Sydney Morning Herald

It feels much more suited to a low-priced download such as Xbox Live Arcade's "Marble Blast Ultra" rather than a $79 [AU] release.

Read Full Review >

Gamestyle

Just as you are beginning to be entertained by Kororinpa, its all over. Frankly this would have been better placed as a budget release as outside of the main mode you only have a standard two player offering or the option to beat your previous best time.

Read Full Review >

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 9.5 (out of 10) based on 18 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Simon G. gave it a7:
I always like it when I grab a budget game that's actually a lot of fun. Again, this is higly inspired my Super Monkey Balls, but I greatly prefrer Kororinpa over the annoying Monkeys. My only conplains are that it's a little to short and I would've prefer holding the remote in a classic way (works great for mercury meltdown).

Tony L. gave it a10:
I'm not a gamer. Bought a WII this year at age 63. I'm an engineer and found this game quite a challenge in its 3D puzzles. I did get all 45 levels and was a bit disappointed to only unlock the mirror puzzles. But I had many, many enjoyable, and at times frustrating, hours. Looking forward to a sequel.

Michael H. gave it a9:
This is what the Wii was made for. An especially welcomed title early in the Wii's life when the only alternative was mini-games.

G. A. gave it a10:
What a perfect game for the Wii! And given how few good games are available at this time for the console, it's especially good. The graphics are clear and very well designed, and the music is pleasant and unobtrusive. Perfect for my little ones.

Simon S. gave it a10:
I found this game to be very addictive and as an adult I like that it requires subtlety in movement rather than thumb mashing and wild swinging. I would certainly by more games like this, keep them coming.

Julian A. gave it a10:
I think I LOVE it!!! The sounds are so peaceful, it's alot of fun, and also I love the different marbles you can choose from. Really, I think it's a great game.

Luc L. gave it a10:
Must-play. Great experience, too short. Some challenge, but always keeps you going back for more. Maybe rent it ?

Games

Sony

Microsoft

Nintendo

Other Platforms

Upcoming &Recent Releases

Kororinpa: Marble Mania

Game Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

Upcoming &
Recent Releases