Flipper Critters prepares to spring onto DS

Considering release dates for two DS pinball games were announced this summer and not one has yet been seen, you'd be forgiven for thinking someone at Nintendo was putting the bumpers on the idea. After all, the company seems to have nudged Metroid Prime Pinball (already released in the US, and reviewed by Pocket Gamer), into a deep, dark hole.

We thought a similar fate had befallen Flipper Critters after it failed to make its proposed September release date. But with a new European publisher onboard, it now seems like it's all systems go, for 2007 at least.

And there's reason to be excited, even if you're not a fan of trying to bash your hips into a heavy, metal frame just to try and change the trajectory of a small ball. That's because Flippers Critters promises to combine the fast mechanics of pinball within a game world, rather than just squeezing the top 10 pinball machines of all time into a DS-sized package.

Of course, the main part of the game will find you moving a ball around with the usual pinball machines controls such as flippers, bumpers and gates, but now they'll be placed within a colourful Mario-esque 3D environment.

Also, changing the emphasis somewhat will be the critters. As suggested by the title, these 'wacky' characters will provide you with various quests and challenges to take your mind off the main mission mode.

They'll also be able to help out with what sounds like special power-ups or spells.

The final element of Flipper Critters are the touchscreen mini-games you'll have to unlock by completing the mission mode. These include the Magic Bridge, where you have to race to the line, and Gravity, which is all about sinking your enemy's submarine by hitting the driller icons with your ball. These can be also played head-to-head in a two-player wi-fi duelling mode.

Flipper Critters is currently coiled for a spring 2007 release. Click 'Track It!' to be alerted when we review.