Flipper Critters

Flipper Critters
box art of European release
DeveloperZen Studios
PublisherEurope: Conspiracy Entertainment
NA: Ignition Entertainment
PlatformNintendo DS
ReleaseOctober 9, 2007
GenrePinball

Flipper Critters is a 2007 pinball video game developed by Zen Studios, and published by Conspiracy Entertainment and Ignition Entertainment.

Gameplay

split-screen showing two parts of a playfield

The player takes the role of a tiger with a monkey companion to play through a series of nine quests inhabited by various "critters". Flippers are controlled to knock a ball around, and certain objects can be moved using the touch screen. The game can use both screens as a single display, or at times show two independent views of the playfield. Between pinball levels the game has several mini-games.

Development

The website for the game launched in November 2005, with an anticipated release date for the game in early 2006. During its development in 2006 the game was the first Nintendo DS game to be designed with full 3D on both screens Ignition Entertainment was announced as publisher of the game in November 2006, with an anticipated release date of spring 2007. This release was delayed to October 9, 2007.

Reception

IGN found the goals of the game often hard to understand, but praised the pinball part of the game, and enjoyed some of the puzzle elements. The budget launch price of the game was praised.

Pocket Gamer found the use of platformer elements mixed with pinball to be interesting, and while a "solid" game it was not as good as an average pinball or platformer game. The ability to replay sub-games such as an R-type clone was praised.

Nintendo Power criticized the lack of in-game instructions.

References

  1. ↑ "Flipper Critters". GameSpot. 2007-10-18. Archived from the original on 2026-07-23. Retrieved 2026-11-10.
  2. ↑ Jordan, Jon (2006-12-13). "Behind the action with Flipper Critters' Zsolt Kigyossy". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved 2026-11-10.
  3. ↑ Harris, Craig (2007-01-31). "Flipper Critters Hands-on". IGN. Archived from the original on 2022-08-19. Retrieved 2026-11-10.
  4. ↑ "ZEN Studios Launches Flippercritters.com". GamesIndustry.biz. 2005-11-22. Archived from the original on 2025-01-26. Retrieved 2026-11-10.
  5. ↑ Bennallack, Owain (2006-06-01). "Flipper Critters claims first dual-screen 3D for Nintendo DS". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved 2026-11-10.
  6. ↑ "JUMP FOR JOY! IGNITION ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES FLIPPER CRITTERS FOR THE NINTENDO DS!". GamesIndustry.biz. 2006-11-10. Archived from the original on 2025-02-08. Retrieved 2026-11-10.
  7. ↑ "Ignition Entertainment to Release Flipper Critters Into the Wild October 9th". GamesIndustry.biz. 2007-09-13. Archived from the original on 2024-11-05. Retrieved 2026-11-10.
  8. ↑ "Flipper Critters Reviews - Metacritic". www.metacritic.com. Archived from the original on 2025-08-10. Retrieved 2026-11-10.
  9. 1 2 Harris, Craig (2007-10-22). "Flipper Critters Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 2025-08-10. Retrieved 2026-11-10.
  10. 1 2 Sinfield, George (August 2007). "Reviews". Nintendo Power. No. 218. p. 88.
  11. 1 2 Anthony, Scott (2007-08-18). "Flipper Critters Review". Pocket Gamer. Archived from the original on 2026-07-14. Retrieved 2026-11-10.