Frogger 3D for the Nintendo 3DS – review

Want to make your friends green with envy? Being the first one on your block to own Frogger 3D for the Nintendo 3DS might just do the trick! The game is sure to bring back nostalgic feelings to anyone who was alive when the original Frogger came out. The speedy antics of the frogs in the game as they try to get across streets, survive in casinos and warzones, and even on alien planets, will prove to be challenging to first-time players, as well.

What about this game is different from the original? Is it worth checking out and becoming a part of your video game selection, or is it best left to gather dust on the shelves of your local store?

The frogs in the original game could only move one tile at a time from the start to the finish of a stage. You’d try to jump from log to log, and avoid traffic from squishing you as flat as froggy roadkill. In this new, 3D version, Frogger must do things like successfully cross sushi bars, cross minefields, navigate skyscrapers, hop up and down on platforms jutting out of waterfalls, etc. What’s more, you can ride on other frogs, including a frog that lights up to show you the way and a metal frog. The graphics are also of course better, and you get to play the game in 3D for the first time ever.

There are six worlds for you to explore, including New York, the Far East, and even Space, with around 60 action-packed stages for you to play. In each stage, you must reach three goals in a row within a specified time limit. Easy cheesy, you might think, especially for someone used to playing games on the Wii, Nintendo Xbox 360, or Playstation 3–but, if you think this, you’d be oh, so wrong. That’s because the second and third goals as you progress get more and more difficult. As the difficulty ramps up, so will your frustration, and the game’s cheap shots. You only have three lives to work with, and if you fail on your third attempt, you must re-play the entire level. And, there’s a boss to beat in each world, if you make it that far. Major bummers, indeed, detracting from what could have been a much better game. Everyone likes video games to offer a challenge, but when you feel like banging your head against the wall in frustration, what should be a fun experience can go from being fun to being tortorous.

Is the pain worth the gain? Certain levels of Frogger 3D can be devilishly difficult, but there are other aspects of it that help make this game fun despite the criticisms I’ve mentioned. For instance, there are pretty cool Street Pass battles, where you must try to be better than your opponent at avoiding traffic. Then, there’s Forever mode, in which you look at the maps and try to travel across as many lines on the maps as you can without getting killed. What’s more, players can compete against each other in 4 player matches for added fun.

Playing Frogger 3D for the Nintendo DS definitely brought back nostalgic feelings for me. I was never all that great at playing the original, though, and this updated version made me think that perhaps my fond feelings for the original were due more to looking back at it through the foggy mists of time rather than my actually having loved the quarter-stealing game all that much.

Are there any cheats or tricks that might aid your navigation through this game? Beats me–I’m guessing yes, but I’ve turned up zilch so far. If you know of any, please leave them in the comment form below, as well as your feelings about this game and/or the original arcade Frogger game.

Frogger 3D for the Nintendo DS is suitable for all age levels. That’s always a plus, as far as parents are concerned. It’s good, wholesome, addictive, but often frustrating fun you can enjoy palying solo or with your friends. Check it out for yourselves today!