Feeding Frenzy (video game)

Last updated
Feeding Frenzy
Feeding frenzy 1 xbox cover.jpg
Cover from the Xbox 360 version
Developer(s) Sprout Games
Publisher(s) GameHouse
PopCap Games
Real Arcade (J2ME)
Designer(s) James Gwertzman
Del Chafe
Ed Allard
SeriesFeeding Frenzy
Platform(s) Windows, Macintosh, Xbox, Xbox 360, Arcade, J2ME
ReleaseMarch 17, 2004 [1]
Mode(s) Single-player

Feeding Frenzy is a single-player mode and arcade-style aquatic video game written by Sprout Games, and published by PopCap Games. With an initial debut on February 11, 2004, it saw a re-release on the Xbox Live Arcade service, with versions for both the original Xbox and the Xbox 360. The Xbox 360 version, released on March 15, 2006, was the 17th most popular Xbox Live Arcade title for 2006. [2]

Contents

In March 2006, the sequel to this game, Feeding Frenzy 2 was released. [3]

In 2016, Feeding Frenzy was made available for Xbox One backwards compatibility and is free to members on EA Access.

Gameplay

In Feeding Frenzy, players control a hungry marine predator intent on munching as many other fish as possible. During the course of the game's 40 levels, they switch off between 5 marine animals, with the last eight levels having them play as Orville the Orca, and the last level being a 'boss battle' against the "Shark King", a great white shark. The player takes on the role of different aquatic species each trying to move up the food chain. As smaller fish are eaten, the player's own fish grows in size and becomes capable of eating somewhat larger fish. [4] By the end of each level, the fish is sufficiently large enough that it can eat almost anything on-screen. Players must be vigilant for hazards which include depth charges, larger predators, naval mines, irradiated fish, and jellyfish.

If the player eats a sufficiently large number of fish in a short period of time, a score-enhancing Feeding Frenzy is initiated. If the player continues to rapidly consume other fish, a further Double Frenzy can be achieved. The Frenzy bonus depletes rapidly when there is no further rapid consumption.

The full game includes both a normal mode and a "time attack" mode. [5]

Release

The free ActiveX version of Feeding Frenzy can be played online at websites such as the MSN Gaming Zone, but has only a limited number of levels. The Windows version, Feeding Frenzy Deluxe, is available for download as a trial, with the full version available for a fee. Additionally, Xbox and Xbox 360 versions exist. The original Xbox version was available via an Xbox Live Arcade disc from Microsoft, or from Official Xbox Magazine discs. The Xbox 360 version could be downloaded from the Xbox Live Marketplace, either as a free demo, or as a full version. This version was also included on the disc that came with the Xbox Arcade bundle for the Xbox 360, alongside Pac-Man Championship Edition , Uno , Luxor 2 , and Boom Boom Rocket . The Xbox 360 Pro and Elite versions included this version as one of the 16 game demos preloaded on the hard drive.

An arcade version was released by UltraCade Technologies which featured a ticket redemption system and an automated difficulty tuning system. The arcade cabinet also features built-in bubbler tanks on both sides with flowing water and artificial fish. [6] [7]

A J2ME ported version of the game was released for some mobile phones by Real Arcade in 2006, [8] with fewer levels due to the limitations of the mobile phone's storage medium.

Reception

IGN criticized Feeding Frenzy's simple mechanics, lack of difficulty, and overall lack of depth, resulting in a score of 6.6 out of 10 for the Xbox 360 version. The review suggested that additional online elements could have helped with the title's otherwise limited lasting appeal. [10] TeamXbox also criticized the game's difficulty and replayability, suggesting that it may be better suited towards children. Despite considering Feeding Frenzy 'somewhat shallow', TeamXbox concluded that the game was still accessible and fun, awarding the Xbox 360 version a 7 out of 10. [9] Eurogamer gave the Xbox 360 version of Feeding Frenzy an overall score of three out of ten, expressing that while initially "charming in its simplicity", the game quickly becomes 'boring' and 'repetitive', further stating that every level is "just more of the same". [4]

Related Research Articles

<i>Discs of Tron</i> 1983 video game

Discs of Tron is the second arcade video game based on the 1982 Disney film Tron. While the first Tron is a collection of four minigames, Discs of Tron is a single game inspired by Tron's disc-battles. It is set in an arena similar to the one in the jai alai–style sequence.

<i>Paperboy</i> (video game) 1985 video game

Paperboy is an action game developed and published by Atari Games and released as an arcade video game in 1985. The player takes the role of a paperboy who delivers a fictional newspaper called The Daily Sun along a street on his bicycle. The arcade version of the game featured bike handlebars as the controller.

<i>Every Extend</i> Video game series

Every Extend is series of puzzle shoot 'em up video games primarily developed by Q Entertainment. The series began with a 2004 freeware game of the same name for Windows, which was a personal project by Kanta Matsuhisa under the "Omega" pseudonym. Q Entertainment discovered the game online and approached Matshisa to develop a remix version. The remix version was developed for the PlayStation Portable and was released in 2006, titled Every Extend Extra. In 2007, Q Entertainment developed and released a sequel on the Xbox 360 titled Every Extend Extra Extreme.

<i>Wik and the Fable of Souls</i> 2004 video game

Wik and the Fable of Souls, also known in the Xbox 360 version as Wik: The Fable of Souls, is a platform video game developed by Reflexive Entertainment. The main character, Wik uses a combination of jumping and his long, grapple-like tongue to navigate the world. Accompanying Wik on his journey is a mule-like creature named Slotham. On each level the player must capture a set number of grubs and deliver them to Slotham, but getting the grubs to Slotham becomes more and more challenging through each chapter. There are various bugs that try to steal the grubs or directly harm Wik, and on some levels Wik can fall off the platforms into the abyss. Each level includes three gems; a ruby, an emerald, and a diamond, finding all of these throughout the course of the game is required in order to achieve the best ending.

<i>Marble Blast Ultra</i> 2006 video game

Marble Blast Ultra is a platform game developed by GarageGames. It was released on January 25, 2006 for the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade. It is the sequel to Marble Blast Gold. It features 60 levels, enhanced graphics, 2 new power-ups and a multiplayer mode. A browser port of the game under the title Marble Blast Online was released on March 7, 2008, and was available at InstantAction until the website was shut down.

<i>Zuma</i> (video game) Video game

Zuma is a 2003 tile-matching puzzle video game developed by Oberon Media and published by PopCap Games. It was released for a number of platforms, including PDAs, mobile phones, and the iPod.

<i>Mutant Storm Reloaded</i> 2005 video game

Mutant Storm Reloaded is a multi-directional shoot 'em up developed by PomPom Games. The game debuted as a launch title on the Xbox 360's Xbox Live Arcade service with updated graphics, sound, and gameplay over its Windows and Xbox predecessor, Mutant Storm.

<i>Guitar Hero II</i> 2006 video game

Guitar Hero II is a 2006 rhythm game developed by Harmonix and published by RedOctane for the PlayStation 2 and Activision for the Xbox 360. It is the sequel to Guitar Hero (2005) and the second installment in the Guitar Hero series. The game was first released for the PlayStation 2 in November 2006, and then for the Xbox 360 in April 2007, with additional content not originally in the PlayStation 2 version.

<i>Eets</i> 2006 video game

Eets is a 2D puzzle video game developed by Klei Entertainment and released on March 27, 2006 for Microsoft Windows. It was later released for Mac OS X on December 9, 2010. Both the Windows and Macintosh versions of the game are distributed digitally via Steam. On April 25, 2007 the game was released for the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade under the title Eets: Chowdown. Eets is a puzzle game with similarities to Lemmings where players must guide a character through an on-screen puzzle.

<i>Small Arms</i> (video game) 2006 video game

Small Arms is an action video game, developed by Gastronaut Studios and published by Microsoft Game Studios. It was released for the Xbox 360 on November 22, 2006 at Xbox Live Arcade.

<i>Triggerheart Exelica</i> 2006 video game

Triggerheart Exelica is a vertically scrolling shoot 'em up developed by Warashi for the Sega NAOMI platform. The game was first released in Japanese arcades in May 2006, and was later ported to the Sega Dreamcast, becoming the system's penultimate licensed title when it was released in Japan on February 22, 2007—only two weeks prior to Karous.

<i>Raiden IV</i> 2007 video game

Raiden IV is a 2007 vertical scrolling shooting video game developed by MOSS. It was first released in the arcades in Japan. A home conversion was produced for Xbox 360 in 2008. An updated arcade version was later released for Taito's NESiCAxLive digital distribution platform. Two more versions featuring new content were released: Raiden IV: OverKill for PlayStation 3 and Windows, and Raiden IV x MIKADO remix for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

<i>Uno</i> (video game) Video game adaptation of the card game

Uno is a video game based on the card game of the same name. It has been released for a number of platforms. The Xbox 360 version by Carbonated Games and Microsoft Game Studios was released on May 9, 2006, as a digital download via Xbox Live Arcade. A version for iPhone OS and iPod devices was released in 2008 by Gameloft. Gameloft released the PlayStation 3 version on October 1, 2009, and also released a version for WiiWare, Nintendo DSi via DSiWare, and PlayStation Portable. An updated version developed by Ubisoft Chengdu and published by Ubisoft was released for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in August 2016, Microsoft Windows in December 2016 and for the Nintendo Switch in November 2017.

<i>Feeding Frenzy 2</i> 2006 video game

Feeding Frenzy 2: Shipwreck Showdown is an arcade-style video game by American developer Sprout Games involving the marine food chain. It is the sequel to the 2004 game Feeding Frenzy. The game was developed and published by PopCap Games on March 15, 2006. It is also included in the PlayStation 3 retail version of Bejeweled 3, along with Zuma.

<i>Peggle</i> 2007 puzzle video game

Peggle is a casual puzzle video game developed by PopCap Games. Initially released for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X systems in 2007, it has since had versions released for Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, the Nintendo DS, Windows Mobile, iOS, Zeebo, and Android; the game has also been ported as a Java application, and an extended minigame incorporated into the massively multiplayer online game World of Warcraft. A sequel was released in September 2008, titled Peggle Nights. PopCap, a subsidiary of Electronic Arts, announced Peggle 2 at E3 2013.

<i>Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix</i> 2008 video game

Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix is a 2008 2D fighting game initially released on the PlayStation Store and Xbox Live Arcade services. A physical copy of the game was later released as part of Capcom Digital Collection. It is a remake of 1994's Super Street Fighter II Turbo featuring the original game and a high definition version using graphics drawn by UDON Entertainment, and arranged music by OverClocked ReMix members. The game was designed by Backbone Entertainment's David Sirlin to be the sixth definitive version of Street Fighter II, although it is in fact the seventh, being released after 2003's Hyper Street Fighter II.

<i>Pac-Man Championship Edition</i> 2007 video game

Pac-Man Championship Edition is a 2007 maze video game developed and published by Namco Bandai Games for the Xbox 360. It has since appeared on several other platforms, including iOS, Android, and the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable as a PSP mini title available on the PlayStation Store. It is an HD reimagining of the original Pac-Man arcade game; players navigate Pac-Man through an enclosed maze, eating pellets and avoiding four ghosts that pursue him. Clearing an entire side of the maze of dots will cause a fruit item to appear, and eating it will cause a new maze to appear on the opposite side.

<i>Trials HD</i> 2009 video game developed by RedLynx

Trials HD is an Xbox Live Arcade game developed by RedLynx and published by Microsoft Game Studios. It was released on August 12, 2009 as part of the second annual Xbox Live Summer of Arcade and was later re-released in a retail pack alongside Limbo and 'Splosion Man in April 2011. It is a 2.5D puzzle/racing game. The player must guide a trial motorcycle with exaggerated physics through various obstacles to reach each stage's finish line. On September 6, 2012 it was announced that a Microsoft Windows version of Trials HD would be bundled inside a special version of Trials Evolution, dubbed Trials Evolution: Gold Edition—although this version changes the physics of the game. It is the third game in the series. On February 11, 2016, Microsoft added Trials HD as part of its backwards compatibility program for Xbox One.

References

  1. ↑ "Recently Released Super Games:". GameHouse . Archived from the original on May 20, 2004. Retrieved August 2, 2024. 03/17/2004 Feeding Frenzy
  2. ↑ "Top Xbox Live Games of 2006". Majornelson.com. 2006-12-30. Archived from the original on 2007-07-01. Retrieved 2007-06-25.
  3. ↑ "Feeding Frenzy 2 Song". PopCap Games. 2010-06-07.
  4. 1 2 3 Reed, Kristan (March 21, 2006). "Feeding Frenzy". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on March 4, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  5. ↑ "Extreme Gamer - Feeding Frenzy Xbox 360 Live Arcade Review". www.extremegamer.ca. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
  6. ↑ "Ultracade Feeding Frenzy". 2006-12-11. Archived from the original on 2006-12-11. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
  7. ↑ "Feeding Frenzy - Videogame by Ultracade Technologies". www.arcade-museum.com. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
  8. ↑ Abolins, Mike (2006-04-10). "Feeding Frenzy". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  9. 1 2 "Feeding Frenzy Review (Xbox 360)". TeamXbox . IGN Entertainment. April 5, 2006. Archived from the original on June 19, 2006.
  10. 1 2 Onyett, Charles (March 17, 2006). "Feeding Frenzy". IGN . IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 29, 2008.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.