The Frogger series has had a bit of a difficult time finding its place in all the generations of console systems over the years - mainly because the original game was pure arcade fun, but too simplistic to really expand on. Sure there were a number of Frogger titles that tried to transition to the world of 3D but these games didn't really capture the imagination of gamers in the midst of the crashing Bandicoots, Sonic-fast Hedgehogs and cute Spyro dragons.
With the advent of hand-helds like the PSP and the Nintendo DS, Konami has a new opportunity to introduce the legendary green icon back to the status it enjoyed in its heyday using the technological advantages of each system. In particular the Nintendo DS is an excellent platform to recreate the popular elements of the Frogger series and further them with new technology like dual screens, touch screen capabilities and use of the built-in microphone. My Frogger Toy Trials attempts to do just that.
My Frogger Toy Trials features the popular green frog, but in an all new adventure involving a series of contest and a new hero that is a major focus of the game's storyline. The story revolves around Kyle, the hero of the game who is looking to enter the Toy Pet Tournament sponsored by the "". As fate would have it Kyle gets an egg that he anxiously hopes contains a cool pet to use in the competition. But this egg takes it's time hatching, forcing Kyle to head into the tournament sign-up without knowing just what he'll be using to compete. Just as he gets ready to head in, his egg hatches reveals a cute baby toy frog. It takes Kyle some time and a couple of dramatic incidents to fully appreciate Frogger, but as the little hopper wins mini-game after mini-game Kyle realizes that he may very well have the best pet ever.
Thus begins My Frogger Toy Trials, a true reinvention of the classic hopping icon. While we have Kyle as our tour guide and the focus of much of the story it is still Frogger that is the real star of the game. In My Frogger Toy Trials players control Frogger in a series of physical challenges that will see him collecting coins, navigating puzzles and hopping hither and yon to victory. As usual there are a number of environmental hazards and pitfalls to navigate around or avoid altogether, but the gameplay is more strategic due to the way the controls are used in the game and the handful of extras min the form of items and outfits that can change the gameplay for Frogger.
Gameplay is pretty straightforward. Players travel to islands on a world map, conquering mini-games and unlocking new challenges. In between these activities players will watch the story unfold and buy power-ups that will protect them from certain hazards.
To move your frog you'll use the d-pad to move forward, backward, left or right; the left and right shoulder buttons to turn left, right up or down; the B button to jump and the Y button to push objects like crates and flick your tongue to get far-away objects. As you go through the game you'll run into some interesting puzzles - some simplistic and others a bit more complicated. Luckily most of these challenges feature checkpoints, so hitting them will at least keep you from having to go back all the way to the beginning. Frogger has a life meter in this game to deal with as well as a timer that counts as you play each mission. Some special missions require you to do things very quickly which can be a bit disconcerting if you are new to a location.
Beyond the basic gameplay there are lots of neat little mini-games that will challenge even the most ardent platformer fan like the use of the DS microphone. Using the Microphone players shout out to Frogger, motivating him to go faster. There are also a number of timed stylus controlled challenges where you control your creature and try to direct him along a safe path to the end. These and other elements in the game make for some fun and challenging moments - and when combined with the unique nature of the controls, you'll be being a bit more strategic as you face each challenge.
As you earn money you'll be able to buy items that will help you survive the game's many hazards. Frogger can drown in Toy Trials, so if you find yourself pushing up posies because you can't manage to miss the river, then the lifesaver power-up will give you a one-time free pass. There are many simple power-ups included restoration items that will help you in those spots where things get a little too hairy.
But beyond the power-ups there are a number of suits you can equip on your frog like a chicken suit, the super frog suit, and the heart sweater - to name a few. Each offers an enhanced ability but tends to take away from some other abilities so it is important to choose which one to use for the task you are about to face.
From a presentation stand-point Toy Trials is a pretty decent looking game. All of the game is rendered in full 3D. The world looks pretty good with lots of colorful locales both in and out of the actual mini-games. Toy Trials isn't the best looking DS game i've seen but it looks pretty good. The character models in the game look great and Frogger's animations are spot on. The game's music and sound are also pretty decent, with lots of light-hearted music to accompany the fun platforming action you'll be taking on.
