QuickSpot

Infobox VG |title = Quickspot


caption = QuickSpot Logo on Nintendo DS
developer = Namco
publisher = Namco Bandai/Nintendo (Korea Version)
designer =
engine =
version =
released = flagicon|Japan February 9, 2006
flagicon|South Korea March 8, 2007
flagicon|USA March 13, 2007
genre = Puzzle
modes = Single Player, Multiplayer
ratings = ESRB: E10
CERO: A (All Ages)
platforms = Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS Lite
media = 1 gigabit Nintendo DS cartridge
requirements =
input = Touch screen, microphonenihongo|"QuickSpot"|爽解！右脳の達人 まちがいミュージアム|Unou no Tatsujin: Soukai! Machigai Museum| is a video game for the Nintendo DS developed by Namco Bandai. It is designed similar to games such as Brain Age which uses simple brain teaser to exercise reflexes and brain function. It is a part of Nintendo's Touch! Generations brand.

The Game

The game projects two images, the correct one on the top screen, and an error filled one on the bottom screen. Comparing the two images, the player has to locate and find the inaccuracies or changes from the top screen to the touch screen.

Concept

This game is based on the traditional game spot the difference. GamePro.com described the game "like a mix between Where's Waldo and the Hidden Pictures section in "Highlights" magazine". [cite web| title = Hands-On QuickSpot | url = http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/ds/games/previews/103528.shtml]

Controls

The players use none of the face buttons or D-Pad on the DS. The entire game is played using the touch screen and stylus. The player draws a circle using the stylus when the player spots the difference between the top image on the bottom screen. In some instances, the built in microphone is used.

Modes and gameplay

* Rapid Play: In this game there is one difference in the two images, which the player is tested to find and circle as fast as you can. This keeps on repeating at a quick pace until the timer runs out.

* Focused Mode: Only working with one set of pictures, the player finds a number of things different in each picture. Once the player find them all or when time runs out, the player complete the stage.

* Today Fortune: A daily routine practiced in the game. The player selects a category, health, work, romance, or money, only one each per day. Then they play a trimmed down version of the Rapid Play mode. . At the end, the game calculates the player's fortune depending on the specific choices he or she made for each picture.

Multiplayer

QuickSpot uses DS Download Play with support for up to eight players. Two exclusive modes appear in this mode that are not playable in the single player game.

* Time Bomb: A hot potato type mode for up to eight players. The players simply pass the DS around to the next player once the previous player solves the current puzzle. The player left holding the DS when the bomb explodes loses.

* Scramble Mode A Multi-DS Cart mode that has up to three players competing at the same puzzles. The player who circles the fastest is the winner, however those on the losing end can eventually build up a meter that gives them access to unique power-ups. This varies from turning an opponent's screen into a negative view or obscure an opponent's screen by sending a swarm of frogs across the screen.

Cameos

For the US version, Namco added some several characters and images from classic Namco videogames. Here is a list of confirmed cameos.

* Pac-Man
* Katamari Damacy
* Klonoa
* Mappy
* Mr. Driller
* Ridge Racer
* Taiko Drum Master

Release info

Currently QuickSpot has had released in three territories. Currently, there are no plans for a Europe, China or Australia release.

Japan

The game was released first in Japan on February 2, 2006. The game has good success and sales prompting Namco Bandai to release a sequel in Japan only called 爽解！右脳の達人 ちがいミュージアム2(Unou no Tatsujin: Soukai! Machigai Museum 2). [cite web| title = Bandi Namco Press Release | url = http://www.bandainamco.co.jp/releases/2007022801.html]

North America

It was announced at the website GoNintendo [cite web| title = Quickspot headed for US | url = http://gonintendo.com/?p=11813] that this game would come over stateside. The current release date is March 19, 2007. This is an amazing 13 months after the Japanese launch. A early review of this game on GameSpot gave it a rather low score of 6.3 aka fair. [cite web| title = QuickSpot for DS Review | url = http://www.gamespot.com/ds/puzzle/quickspot/review.html?sid=6167511]

Korea

A Korean release is planned for South Korea after a successful launch for the new Nintendo of Korea subsidiary and Nintendo DS Lite in the country. The game is currently set to come out on March 8, 2007 along with the hangul translation of New Super Mario Bros.

References

External links

* [http://namco-ch.net/matigai_museum/index.php Japanese website]
* [http://www.namcobandaigames.com/games/quickspot/ American website]
* [http://www.nintendo.co.kr/www/soft/2.php Korea website]
* [http://gonintendo.com/?p=11813 GoNintendo announces QuickSpot for US]
* [http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3157353 1up preview]
* [http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/ds/games/previews/103528.shtml GamePro.com preview]
* [http://www.siliconera.com/index.php/2007/03/08/spot-the-differences-in-namcos-quickspot-on-the-ds/ Sliliconera.com preview]
* [http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/quickspot/ GameSpy QuickSpot page]
* [http://ds.ign.com/objects/877/877648.html IGN QuickSpot page]
* [http://www.gamespot.com/ds/puzzle/quickspot/index.html GameSpot.com Gamepage with review]