Shaberu! DS Oryōri Navi

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Shaberu! DS Oryōri Navi (しゃべる！DSお料理ナビ, "Talking! DS Cooking Navigator") is a cooking simulation game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS handheld game console. It was first released in Japan on July 20, 2006, and later introduced to other regions with localized versions, including "Cooking Guide: Can't Decide What to Eat?" in Europe and "Personal Trainer: Cooking" in North America. The game is notable for its innovative use of the Nintendo DS's features to provide an interactive cooking experience.

Gameplay

Shaberu! DS Oryōri Navi transforms the Nintendo DS into a digital cookbook and cooking assistant. The game utilizes the DS's touchscreen and microphone, offering a hands-free mode where users can proceed through recipes with voice commands. The software contains hundreds of recipes from various global cuisines, providing step-by-step instructions. Each recipe includes detailed information such as ingredients, preparation times, and nutritional facts. The game also features a shopping list function, allowing users to keep track of ingredients needed for recipes.

Development

The development of Shaberu! DS Oryōri Navi was part of Nintendo's effort to expand the DS's appeal beyond traditional gaming audiences. The title was designed to appeal to a broad demographic, including those who may not typically engage in video gaming. Its development focused on making the software accessible and easy to use, leveraging the DS's unique hardware capabilities for an interactive cooking experience.

Reception

Shaberu! DS Oryōri Navi received positive reviews for its innovative use of the Nintendo DS, practical utility, and its role in expanding the concept of what a video game could be. Critics praised the game for its comprehensive database of recipes and the intuitive interface. However, some noted limitations in the voice recognition feature and the absence of certain cuisines. Despite these criticisms, the game was considered a success, contributing to the trend of non-traditional games that followed.

Legacy

The game's success led to the development of sequels and similar titles, further establishing the genre of cooking simulation games. It demonstrated the potential of the Nintendo DS as a platform for non-gaming applications, influencing the development of other educational and lifestyle software for the DS and other gaming consoles.