Betty Boop 'Double Shift' (Nintendo DS) - Review by Chris

Introduction

Over the last few years, just like the film industry, the game industry has started digging up some of the classics be it from fiction, film or from the early years of gaming. As a result, we've seen characters brought back into the modern day when they perhaps would never have seen the light of day outside of their own time. Betty Boop's Double Shift is one of these titles that relies heavily on a license that hasn't been seen since the 1930's and would could be remise in asking why revive a classic as old as this? But when said classic is as popular now as she was back then, then it would seem like a good move on DSi Games and Black Lantern's behalf.

Gameplay

Betty Boop's Double Shift focuses around Betty as she tries to get her big break on the silver screen, a dream she has been harbouring for some time now. However, she doesn't have the money needed to get where she needs and so decides to help character Grampy open up a jazz bar, named after the title character. Throughout the game, you'll be working through a series of 25 days as you try to turn "Betty's" Jazz Club into a success, making it your typical rags to riches storyline. Each day is split into two shifts which you will have to work through one after the other.

The first shift will have you controlling Betty as she serves milkshakes and candy to the customers attending the club, but you'll also have to initiate the house band into playing music to entertain both the customers inside and those outside, as later on you'll unlock a speaker system so that those waiting to get into the club can at least enjoy the music while they wait. The game is heavily centred on this management style gameplay, seen in titles such as Diner Dash and Cake Mania, as you'll have to complete the shift each day, getting enough tips to progress to the next. It starts off easy enough but as you progress, the number of tables and customers increases, as does their frequency for ordering, and so you'll quickly become flustered if you don't stay on top of the customers' needs. It's easier said than done because you can only carry two items at a time and when you have six tables to wait, it gets frustrating as you'll get Betty to a table wanting to place an order only for them to get angry and go back to their menus and by the time they've signalled to be served, you'll probably have to serve others. While it does take a lot to manage the game, it's this particular area that will lead you in later stages to fail in getting the necessary tips to progress. And when the gameplay is so frustrating, coupled with control issues and the fact there is no real sense of satisfaction for completing your tasks, you'll soon turn off.

After you've finished serving drinks and food to the customers, you're second shift will begin and here Betty takes to the stage to entertain the customers. At this point, you'll have to tap the a series of musical notes on the touch screen in the correct order and before a timer runs down but there is no timing necessary as you merely have to press them in the correct order as fast as possible and that's it. There's no skill to it really and while it will increase the number of notes and decrease the amount of time you have to hit them later in the game, it's still ridiculously and adds very little to the gameplay other than acting as a source of relief from the frustration of the main gameplay. There is a multiplayer for two players to play head to head in shift challenges but when it's not particularly fun in single player, it doesn't lend itself well for fun in multiplayer.

Controls

The entire game is controlled by way of the DS' touch screen and works amicably but there are problems with the game picking up your presses meaning you won't get to a table as quickly as you need to. It all adds to the frustration element that the game exudes and is just plain annoying especially in the later stages.

Graphics

The game employs a 2d art style capturing the bare essence of Betty and the other characters well. The development team could have gone that bit further to bring the full essence of why Betty Boop's character has and continues to be so popular but it's not a bad job. The sprite work is good for the most part, if lacking a little in the animation department but due to the style of game, its fine.

Sound

With the game taking place in a jazz bar, the accompanying sound is appropriately placed to match the theme. It's basic but fits the style of the game. You'll get to hear Betty's trademark 'boop-oop-a-doop' but it's done to such a cringeworthy style, that you'll hate hearing it.

Dual screen

When playing, you'll be controlling the entire game on the DS' touch screen. Here, you'll be tapping away to fulfil orders and complete the basic music based mini-game while the top screen isn't really put to that great use other than showing the guests waiting outside of the club waiting to get in. While action takes place on the touch screen, it hasn't been implemented as well as it should have been and can be problematic.

Final comments

Betty Boop isn't a character who really translates well to the medium of video games. As a result, Betty Boop's Double Shift, although taking clues from the likes of Diner Dash and Cake Mania, fails to really live up to the name. It's repetitive and frustrating with little in the way to give you any sense of satisfaction for completing the double shift you'll play through, with the musical second shift feeling like it was tacked on at the end of the development to flesh out the overall length of the game. If you like the forebearing titles, you might like this but there's little to make you come back after an hour or so because it'll all be finished.

Pro: Graphics almost fully capture the essence of Betty Boop, amicable use of the license
Con: Gameplay is repetitive and frustrating, control and design issues will hamper progress
Final score: 4

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