Following the hectic, time-management style gameplay of the original Cake Mania, and the branching storyline of Cake Mania 2, Cake Mania: In The Mix! introduces all-new characters, motion-based mini-games and a unique co-op mode where cake baking heroine Jill Evans receives some much needed assistance.
In Cake Mania: In The Mix! players use the Wii Remote to lead Jill through nine new bakeries filled with baking and frosting mania. Aspiring bakers control every aspect of the business, from serving cakes and advertising in the Dessert Daily newspaper, to running a catering business by phone.
Features
- 10 customer friendly bakery add-ons: fish tank, bench, table, table game, promotional decorations and more
- Phone system allows players to accept catering orders and increase their business exponentially
- Demanding customers ranging from ninjas to pregnant moms to leprechauns
I enjoy playing casual games from time to time, mostly on the lines of Diner Dash or Cake Mania, where players have to perform tasks quickly under a time constraint. Cake Mania is probably my favorite, and I really enjoy the DS version over the PC version, because it is easy to use the stylus to choose the options.
Now Cake Mania is on the Wii. This sounds like a great idea; just use the WiiMote and point at the menus in a similar manner as in using the stylus with the DS or the mouse with the PC. However, not all good ideas are good in reality. Cake Mania does not translate well to the Wii, partly due to the WiiMote itself and partly due to the game interface.
Now Cake Mania is on the Wii. This sounds like a great idea; just use the WiiMote and point at the menus in a similar manner as in using the stylus with the DS or the mouse with the PC. However, not all good ideas are good in reality. Cake Mania does not translate well to the Wii, partly due to the WiiMote itself and partly due to the game interface.
Cake Mania: In the Mix! is the same as other Cake Mania games, where Jill is working in a bakery and trying to serve complicated cakes to picky customers. The customers will choose cakes from a menu, with each cake having different features. At first, they will only differ in the basic shape and frosting type. Later in the game, more features like double cakes and cake toppings will appear. Some levels will also have specially shaped cakes to fit the level theme. Besides making and delivering the correct cakes, Jill will have to pick up menus and money. Jill can upgrade kitchen items with the money she earns.
The interface utilizes the WiiMote "A" and "B" buttons. Players will use the "A" button to choose the menu options, and the "B" button to pick up and give away items. This may sound simple enough, but it is already more complicated than in the PC or DS versions, where only one input device is used, not two. In the early, easy levels, this is not a problem, but it does become a hindrance in the harder levels, where it is almost impossible to earn enough money to win the level.
The WiiMote itself becomes a problem when choosing menu options. The arrow wobbles around and is not anywhere close to the precision of a mouse arrow. Further aggravation is caused by bad design in some levels, where the ovens are lined up one in front of the other, rather than side by side. This creates more problems when trying to choose one oven rather than the other to bake a certain cake.
The interface utilizes the WiiMote "A" and "B" buttons. Players will use the "A" button to choose the menu options, and the "B" button to pick up and give away items. This may sound simple enough, but it is already more complicated than in the PC or DS versions, where only one input device is used, not two. In the early, easy levels, this is not a problem, but it does become a hindrance in the harder levels, where it is almost impossible to earn enough money to win the level.
The WiiMote itself becomes a problem when choosing menu options. The arrow wobbles around and is not anywhere close to the precision of a mouse arrow. Further aggravation is caused by bad design in some levels, where the ovens are lined up one in front of the other, rather than side by side. This creates more problems when trying to choose one oven rather than the other to bake a certain cake.
There is an interesting co-op multiplayer mode, but I can’t play these types of games with other people. That is just entirely too distracting. My niece and her friends tried it out and didn’t like it, either.
Cake Mania looks good on the Wii, and has the same style of graphics, albeit with a more 3D look to the characters. Very bright, very colorful. The music is in the same style as previous versions, as well.
It is a shame that Cake Mania didn't work out better on the Wii. It is mainly the fault of the overly sensitive WiiMote, which constantly moves in reaction to any hand motions of the user. Even if only one button was used for all actions, it would still be difficult to navigate the menus with the WiiMote. While this is not a bad game when considered by singly, the truth is that the PC and DS versions are much better and way more fun comparatively. As they are also less expensive, I have to recommend that players pick the PC or DS versions over the Wii version.
Cake Mania looks good on the Wii, and has the same style of graphics, albeit with a more 3D look to the characters. Very bright, very colorful. The music is in the same style as previous versions, as well.
It is a shame that Cake Mania didn't work out better on the Wii. It is mainly the fault of the overly sensitive WiiMote, which constantly moves in reaction to any hand motions of the user. Even if only one button was used for all actions, it would still be difficult to navigate the menus with the WiiMote. While this is not a bad game when considered by singly, the truth is that the PC and DS versions are much better and way more fun comparatively. As they are also less expensive, I have to recommend that players pick the PC or DS versions over the Wii version.
Review Scoring Details for Game Name |
Gameplay: 6
The clumsy interface makes everything less fun. The basic game is the same as the other versions, but these types of fast-paced casual games demand a smooth interface. The Wii is not a good fit for Cake Mania
Graphics: 7
The game looks good on the Wii, with cheerful, cartoon-style animation.
The game looks good on the Wii, with cheerful, cartoon-style animation.
Sound: 7
The music is average and sounds pretty much like previous Cake Mania games.
The music is average and sounds pretty much like previous Cake Mania games.
Difficulty: Hard
This game begins easily enough, but the difficulty level quickly ratchets up. Couple the normal difficulty of keeping up with all the cake orders with a cumbersome interface, for a frustrating time later in the game.
This game begins easily enough, but the difficulty level quickly ratchets up. Couple the normal difficulty of keeping up with all the cake orders with a cumbersome interface, for a frustrating time later in the game.
Concept: 6
The concept is the same as in previous Cake Mania games, but new to the Wii. I’m not sure if the game would be a whole lot better with a different interface design, but the existing one doesn’t work that well.
The concept is the same as in previous Cake Mania games, but new to the Wii. I’m not sure if the game would be a whole lot better with a different interface design, but the existing one doesn’t work that well.
Multiplayer: 5
The multiplayer mode seems like an interesting way to play, but it’s not. It just makes it all more difficult.
The multiplayer mode seems like an interesting way to play, but it’s not. It just makes it all more difficult.
Overall: 6
Cake Mania: In the Mix isn’t a bad game, nor is it a good game. This is mainly due to the method of play on the Wii, rather than any inherent flaws in the gameplay. Some things just aren’t meant to be.
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Cake Mania: In the Mix isn’t a bad game, nor is it a good game. This is mainly due to the method of play on the Wii, rather than any inherent flaws in the gameplay. Some things just aren’t meant to be.
Just subscribe to our post feeds and get download link for this game in your mail inbox as soon as they are posted here.
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