Gardening Mama

Gardening Mama
Developer(s)	Cooking Mama Limited
Publisher(s)	JP Taito NA Majesco
Distributor(s)	Apple (iOS)
Platform(s)	iOS, Nintendo DS
Release date(s)	Nintendo DS JP March 19, 2009 NA March 31, 2009 EU June 5, 2009 iOS September 23, 2010
Genre(s)	Simulation, Minigame
Mode(s)	Single-player
Rating(s)	Apple: 4+ ESRB: Everyone

Gardening Mama is a gardening simulation-styled minigame compilation video game for the Nintendo DS and iOS. It is a spin-off from the Cooking Mama series.

The gameplay is similar to that of Cooking Mama, with players using the stylus to plant bulbs, dig trenches and water plants. Players can also make items such as jack-o-lanterns and jams from their fruits and vegetables, and players can trade their produce with others.

Gameplay

"Let's Get Growing!"

"Let's Get Growing" is the main game mode where the player grows a variety of plants in a garden, ranging between flowers, fruits, and vegetable. Players initially start with only a few flowers, but are able to unlock more plants and garden areas after finishing complete flower cycles (from planting the seed to when the flower blooms). Like previous Mama games, for a plant to grow the player needs to complete a series of mini games; however instead of playing each stage consecutively, only one stage can be played at time. The next stage becomes available once the player completes another stage for a different plant, or the next time the player turns on their handheld device.

After completing a stage, the player's performance is evaluated with a numerical score out of 100, and awarded either a bronze, silver, or gold medal. After completing a full plant cycle the player's overall performance is evaluated, and given an averaged score out of 100 and a corresponding medal.

There are many different mini-games available, for example: planting seeds/saplings; watering plants; cutting off or removing weak/dead parts of plants; shooing away pests and rodents; harvesting produce; and making rainbows using a watering hose.

Players also have a "practice" option.

Multiplayer

In the "Let's Play Together" mode, Gardening Mama supports wireless multiplayer, along with "Download Play". During such a contest, players compete in individual minigames. Players can also exchange produce they have grown with the "Cute Treasure Chest" function.

Bonus sections

If a player completes a stage under a certain time they receive a "bonus sapling". For every three bonuses earned players receive an unlockable item, such as accessories for Mama, decorative gardening items, or extra items that can be used in the game.

There are two bonus sections: "Decorate the Garden!" and "Make it Fancy!"

In "Decorate the Garden", players can add decorative items they have unlocked to their garden, such as small flower pots and garden gnomes. The "Spruce Up Your Screen" menu can also be opened from here to change the appearance of various gardening tools and background items.

In "Make it Fancy", players can use unlocked clothing items to customize Mama's appearance. Various accessories, like glasses and earrings, can be added; Mama's clothing can also be changed.

Special fertilizers can also be unlocked via the bonus saplings, which allow growing unique plants that can be grown in an area called "Special Garden"

Friends

Most of the friends you can garden with are from Cooking Mama 2: Dinner with Friends, except for a new character named Jacob.

• Mama
• Papa
• Chika
• Ayaka
• Takuya
• Jacob
• David
• Grandma
• Grandpa

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
Aggregator	Score
GameRankings	62.13%
Review scores
Publication	Score
Game Informer	6.5 of 10
GameSpot	7.0 of 10
IGN	4.9 of 10
Official Nintendo Magazine	55%

Gardening Mama received a mixed reception, Game Rankings assign a 62.13% of positive reviews. Main complains were about the controls. 1UP.com called the controls "frustrating" and IGN said "the controls are too simple to be engaging and the lack of tutorial in many challenges renders them unplayable", but GameSpot mainly complained about the lack of action in the game, saying that "the action is quite shallow".

Main praise for the game was different by each reviewer. GameSpot praised variety of plants and fruits. IGN praised the graphics, by saying "Adorable 2D images. Simple, but it works." and 1UP praised the minigames and the fun.