Whac-A-Mole

 DS
Whac-A-Mole Image
Metascore
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User Score
5.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 7 Ratings

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  • Summary: Remember that game at the amusement park during which you smack a bunch of hard plastic moles? Now you get to plat it without the puffy mallet.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 3
  3. Negative: 1 out of 3
  1. Cheat Code Central
    50
    Attempting to make Whac-a-Mole into a game is like trying to pass of an appetizer as the main course.
  2. IGN
    50
    But even with the bells and whistles the developers try to throw into this virtual recreation, it just doesn't match the fun of the actual mechanical classic, something that players can exert themselves over for a few quarters and move on.
  3. PALGN
    20
    When you take the physical activity and cheap, tacky prizes out of Whac-A-Mole, you're left with virtually nothing.

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 2 out of 5
  1. RachelAlucard
    Mar 4, 2013
    10
    Too put it simply, Whack-A-Mole on the Nintendo DS is an achievement by the human race. When asked for the greatest accomplishments of ourToo put it simply, Whack-A-Mole on the Nintendo DS is an achievement by the human race. When asked for the greatest accomplishments of our species, some would say putting a man on the moon, putting a probe on Mars, or finding the Higgs Boson. I say Whack-A-Mole for the DS. Those who have not played the game will likely misunderstand it's majesty. Some may see it as a simple carnival game ported to a handheld gaming device, these are the same people who see the works of Tolkien as a simple fantasy. The beauty of Whac-A-Mole is different to every person. Some may find happiness with it's flawless gameplay. Players tap out moles in a 5X4 grid to remove them from the board, while avoiding traps, spined moles and other such hazards. While this sounds simple it soon becomes a game of strategy, with all the complexity of chess as players allot their hammers to hold forts and keep incoming Mole swarms at bay. Players cannot defeat every group of moles, and must make sacrifices and cut their losses strategically. The moles have a defined advantage over you, they can burrow beneath the ground and penetrate your defenses, giving them an easy way to remove or bypass large city gates. This makes a huge revelation in the genre, as players are tasked with allotting troops to stay behind to hold the fort.

    Whac-A-Mole also has fantastic characterization. The moral struggle the humans face is touching, and provides lessons that we should implement into our own lives. The moles may be a pest, but in truth, they are an up and coming species. While it would be going against social norms to kill off a growing race such as the moles, they may overtake the human population if not properly secured. These decisions give Whac-A-Mole infinite replay value, both to see branching paths in the plotline, and to encounter new environments and gameplay options.

    Finally, Activision has offered multiplayer for the game. The mutliplayer puts both players in control of an army with limited resources attempting to defend against an oncoming swarm of moles for as long as possible. The multiplayer has all the strategic and twitch depth of the single players, but also allows players to dig trenches and throw objects to slow their opponent's progress. With Whac-A-Mole Activision has turned out yet another winner of a game. It is a diverse, strategic, and morally deep game that makes huge leaps in the progress of the genre. 10/10    … Expand
  2. DickTickler69
    Mar 4, 2013
    10
    This game is pure nirvana. All minor flaws with any other game seem staggering in comparison to the amazing perfection that is 'Whac-A-MoleThis game is pure nirvana. All minor flaws with any other game seem staggering in comparison to the amazing perfection that is 'Whac-A-Mole DS.' The game play is smooth and perfect. It must have been a cold day in the Activision office, as they out endless copies of Call of Duty with catchy new titles, then suddenly, a light turned on in the CEO's head. "WE WILL MAKE WHAC-A-MOLE FOR A PORTABLE SYSTEM." They all called him a madman, that he would never be successful, but he slaved. He worked months locked inside of his office alone, surviving on nothing but Twinkies and his own urine. Once he had finished the base game, he composed his own music directly from the bosom of Christ himself. Once finished, the CEO proudly left his office, exclaiming "I know it all now." The game was played by testers, male or female, all became pregnant. The game was put on the market the next day. No coincidence, that was also the day that World War II ended, and world peace ensued.
    Glorious.    … Expand
  4. SarahC.
    Jan 17, 2007
    5
    You're comparing a video game against something you've played at a carnival. If you've never played the carnival version than You're comparing a video game against something you've played at a carnival. If you've never played the carnival version than this game isn't so bad. It requires quick reflexes and requires more than tapping the mole on the head in higher levels. If you aren't much into the mazes, races, or blowing things up, than this game is okay.… Expand
  5. GuntherG.
    Jan 5, 2006
    3
    It seems like they DID make some effort to add variety to this game, while _completely_ overlooking the entire simplistic _point_ of the It seems like they DID make some effort to add variety to this game, while _completely_ overlooking the entire simplistic _point_ of the whole thing... There is no sense here of actually WHACKING THE MOLE... a mole pops up, you tap him and he goes down. There is no exciting thud. There is no sense of bashing his head. It should be renamed TAP-A-MOLE... or more like' tap-a-mole' (it doesn't deserve CAPS. A game of this nature _should_ deserve CAPS.) Also, too many moles pop up at once, so you need to continuously whizz around the screen tapping here, there and everywhere. Tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap.. here's your score. There is no sense of satisfaction in splatting an expected popup mole square on the noggin. What is the point then in providing 'random presents' to bash, or offering alternative gaming modes if the _only_ gameplay offered in the original product is completely missing?? I bought this game for my 4 year old daughter. She put it on once, ran the stylus over the screen as the moles popped up, then removed it from the DS in favour of Animal Crossing. That game hasn't left the handheld yet (weeks later), but when it does, I am certain that it won't be for this turkey.… Expand
  6. Ann
    Nov 24, 2006
    0
    This game is horrible. Tap the mole. That's the whole point! This game would be much better if the stylus turns into a hammer and This game is horrible. Tap the mole. That's the whole point! This game would be much better if the stylus turns into a hammer and smashes the game, and the money you spent on the worthless garbage would come out. I would prefer space invasion resolution over this stinking junk. WARNING do not buy this horrible game, as it is a waste of time.… Expand