Diner Dash
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Diner Dash | |
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| Developer(s) | Gamelab |
| Publisher(s) | PlayFirst |
| Designer(s) | Nicholas Fortugno |
| Series | Diner Dash |
| Engine | Shockwave |
| Platform(s) | Mac OS X, Windows, Mobile phone, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360 (XBLA) |
| Release date | PC (December 3, 2003) Nintendo DS (May 13, 2007) |
| Genre(s) | Strategy |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Everyone (E) PEGI: 3+ |
| Media | Download, CD-ROM |
| System requirements | Windows 98/2000/ME/XP, Mac OS X 10.2 or later |
| Input methods | Keyboard, Mouse |
Diner Dash is a casual video game developed by New York game development studio Gamelab and published by PlayFirst. One of the top-selling downloadable games of 2004, Diner Dash was later ported to mobile phone, given a retail release and made available via 100% advert-supported download. Versions have been created for the PlayStation Portable, Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS platforms.[1] GamingTalkHQ reported that a version for Xbox Live Arcade for the Xbox 360 was imminent.
"Diner Dash" is also used to refer to the Diner Dash franchise, which has spawned numerous sequels - Diner Dash 2: Restaurant Rescue was released in early 2006, Diner Dash: Flo on the Go was released in late 2006 and Diner Dash: Hometown Hero was released in late 2007.
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[edit] Gameplay
Diner Dash is an action strategy game in which the player takes the role of Flo, a stockbroker who quits her job to run her own diner.[2] Gameplay involves seating customers and guiding Flo around the restaurant to serve customers. If enough money is earned after each level, play progresses to the next. As the game progresses Flo updates the dilapidated restaurant she begins with and builds three further restaurants, which provide new settings.
Gameplay centers around catering to customers within a time limit in order to gather as much money as possible. Flo can be moved around the restaurant in order to complete tasks. As customers arrive in the restaurant, the player must drag-and-drop them onto a table,[3] where they sit down and read menus. Then the player must guide Flo to the table to take their order, which must be taken to the service hatch. After the chef has prepared the meal, Flo must deliver the food. When the customers are finished eating they must be taken a check, at which point the customers leave a tip and their dishes on the table, departing the restaurant. The dishes must be cleared by Flo before the next set of customers can use the table. Each successful action earns the player points, performing the same action multiple times in a row earns the player a chain bonus, which is broken once a different action is performed.[4]
Customers have a series of hearts over their heads that indicate their mood. The longer the customer is forced to wait, the more hearts he or she loses. Each type of customer has different degrees of patience and tipping habits. Standing at the podium revives these hearts. In the original game, customers enter with 6 hearts and leave with 1. In 2 & 3, half a heart. Serving drinks or seating a group on the bench also keeps them happier. When customers lose all their hearts, they leave the restaurant, costing the player points. The goal of a level is earn a certain number of points. There are also expert point totals for advanced players to achieve.
The game has two modes: Flo's Career (which follows the story of Flo) and Endless Shift (a survival mode in which the player must last as long as possible in a single level).
[edit] Reception
Diner Dash has been mentioned in the New York Times[1], USA Today[2], CNN (Diner Dash dishes out offbeat fun By Marc Saltzman)[3] and in a variety of casual game studies, including Nicole Lazzaro's[4] analysis of player emotions at the 2005 Game Developers Conference [5].
[edit] Sequels
Diner Dash's success resulted in the game being ported to a number of different game platforms, as well as sequels. The first sequel, Diner Dash 2: Restaurant Rescue features Flo going to her friend's restaurants to earn money to prevent them being shut down. New customers such as the bookworm and jogger were introduced, as well as new tools like the mop, high chair and telephone. Another sequel, Diner Dash: Flo On The Go was released in October, 2006. The fourth game in the series, Diner Dash: Hometown Hero launched in September, 2007. PlayFirst ran a promotion (Dress Flo Sweepstakes) where people could design an outfit that would be featured in "Hometown Hero"
In 2006, PlayFirst published a spin-off, based on the SpongeBob SquarePants cartoons, named SpongeBob SquarePants: Diner Dash. It uses the same format as the Diner Dash games but is based around Bikini Bottom. A sequel to the SpongeBob SquarePants Diner Dash game has been released, and is available on the Nick Arcade, offering half-off for the first SpongeBob Diner Dash game.
[edit] References
- ^ Gibson, Ellie (2006-06-29). Diner Dash coming to handhelds. Eurogamer. Retrieved on 2007-07-17.
- ^ Lee, Ellen (2006-03-27). A dash of reality in online game. SFGate.com. Retrieved on 2007-07-17.
- ^ Saltzman, Marc (2005-08-05). 'Diner Dash' dishes out offbeat fun. CNN.com. Retrieved on 2007-07-18.
- ^ Buchanan, Levi (2006-01-03). Diner Dash Review. IGN. Retrieved on 2007-07-17.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Official Site (Including an online version)
- Official game series site
- Official game series site (old)
- GameLab (Original Developer of the game)
- Glu Mobile (Mobile version)
- Diner Dash review at Gamezebo.com
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