Chibi-Robos latest outing on the Nintendo 3DS is a good place to start if new to platformers but more seasoned players may find it a bore. Read Kidzworlds game review for Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash 3DS.
Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash for the Nitnendo 3DS, feels a little like a missed opportunity. There's so much potential shown, but lackluster puzzles, some finicky controls and an incredibly slow pace keep this latest Chibi-Robo adventure from meeting it.
Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash Trailer
Under Whelming Obstacles
The basic plot and driving force behind Zip Lash's gamelpay is that aliens have stolen the worlds snacks and someone needs to save the day. The story is cute, but ultimately just background noise. The platforming, puzzles and action is what matters the most. So how do they stack up? Not so great, I'm afraid.
A big draw to patforming games is the precise running and jumping and level designs that evolve and push players to utilize their newly improved skills. Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash doesn't fully satisfy in any of those areas.
The combat is dull but Chibi-Robo is a good looking game.Courtesy of Nintendo
The platforming and the aiming of the whip-lash never feels as tight as one would hope. I found myself jumping and throwing the whip-lash at my targets more often than actually aiming upwards on an angle because of this. The circle pad simply doesn't always seem to translate the angle well. This was only a problem with the standard whip-lash though. I had much less trouble with the upgraded "Zip-Lash" as you can freely aim this in any direction.
Enemies don't put up much of a fight either. When there's no threat, there's no player urgency. Which means there's also a lack of accomplishment, and little sense of reward. That lack of accomplishment spills into the level design themselves, with next to no real puzzle solving or laugh-in-the-face-of-death jumps. You'll come across obstacles, but they pose no more of a challenge than any other section of the game.
Use your Zip-Lash to get to out of reach places.Courtesy of Nintendo
Slow But Beautiful
Pacing in general is brutal. Chibi-Robo and his enemies all move at a slow pace, making things overly simple, much more so than need be. Every now and then things are mixed up with a vehicle level, but even these succumb to slow pacing, save for a skateboarding level, which ended up being quite fun. There was at least a drop of excitement to be had thanks to the increase in speed being on 4 wheels.
It's not all bad though. Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash is bright, colorful and charming, at times impressing the eyes. It's certainly a playable distraction. There are plenty of collectibles to find and music and sound effects are comforting. It's just never all that captivating.
Boss fights, like regular enemies, are a pushover.Courtesy of Nintendo
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash ends up coming of as a bit of a bore. Which is a shame since there is potential for a great action-platformer here. If you are brand new to platforming games and just need a simple game to get your feet wet, Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash may be what you're looking for. But for the more seasoned action-platforming fans, there are better options for you.
Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash is available now.Courtesy of Nintendo
Pros
- Bright, colorful graphics
- Charming designs
Cons
- Too easy
- Some finicky controls
- Uninspired level design
Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash 3DS Game Rating: 
Have Your Say!
Have you been playing Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash? If not, do you think it's a game you would like? Let us know in the comments!
