Food Network: Cook or Be Cooked
Encyclopedia
Food Network: Cook or Be Cooked! is a cooking
simulation
-styled minigame
compilation developed by Red Fly Studio and published by Bandai Namco Games. It was released in North America on November 3, 2009, and is the first video game to use the Food Network
license.
Cook or Be Cooked contains twelve different meals to prepare; the player must go through recipes and complete the meals by completing minigames correctly. The game features a single player mode, a "pass and play" mode allowing up to four players to prepare one meal, and a multiplayer cook-off mode between two people. Cook or Be Cooked garnered mediocre reviews from critics upon release, who noted a lack of content in the game. As of August 2010, Cook or Be Cooked has received compilation scores of 53% and 64% from MetaCritic
and GameRankings respectively.
Controls are done utilizing the Wii remote
and motion controls to cook and prepare food. Meals consist of multiple dishes which must be served at the same time; the game requires the player to manage their time while cooking. The game gives feedback to the player while they're cooking through pop-up messages and in-game commentary, which note problems in players' cooking styles or timing. Players are scored based on their performance during cooking.
and the Food Network
was announced. The game was released on November 3, 2009.
Cook or Be Cooked garnered mediocre reviews from critics mainly for its lack of content; it received compilation scores of 53% and 64% from MetaCritic
and GameRankings respectively. GameSpot
's Shaun Mcinnis noted that though the gameplay itself controlled tightly and was fun, it held little replay value because of the lack of dishes to create. David Wolinsky of the A.V. Club described the game as immersive when it worked, but felt the game's small selection of recipes made the fun short-lived. 1UP.com
's Mike Cruz stated that the game could be finished in one sitting.
Cooking
Cooking is the process of preparing food by use of heat. Cooking techniques and ingredients vary widely across the world, reflecting unique environmental, economic, and cultural traditions. Cooks themselves also vary widely in skill and training...
simulation
Simulation
Simulation is the imitation of some real thing available, state of affairs, or process. The act of simulating something generally entails representing certain key characteristics or behaviours of a selected physical or abstract system....
-styled minigame
Minigame
A minigame is a short video game often contained within another video game. A minigame is always smaller or more simplistic than the game in which it is contained. Minigames are sometimes also offered separately for free to promote the main game...
compilation developed by Red Fly Studio and published by Bandai Namco Games. It was released in North America on November 3, 2009, and is the first video game to use the Food Network
Food Network
Food Network is a television specialty channel that airs both one-time and recurring programs about food and cooking. Scripps Networks Interactive owns 70 percent of the network, with Tribune Company controlling the remaining 30 percent....
license.
Cook or Be Cooked contains twelve different meals to prepare; the player must go through recipes and complete the meals by completing minigames correctly. The game features a single player mode, a "pass and play" mode allowing up to four players to prepare one meal, and a multiplayer cook-off mode between two people. Cook or Be Cooked garnered mediocre reviews from critics upon release, who noted a lack of content in the game. As of August 2010, Cook or Be Cooked has received compilation scores of 53% and 64% from MetaCritic
Metacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
and GameRankings respectively.
Gameplay
The game places the player in a kitchen and tasks them with cooking meals to be judged upon completion.Controls are done utilizing the Wii remote
Wii Remote
The , also known as the Wiimote, is the primary controller for Nintendo's Wii console. A main feature of the Wii Remote is its motion sensing capability, which allows the user to interact with and manipulate items on screen via gesture recognition and pointing through the use of accelerometer and...
and motion controls to cook and prepare food. Meals consist of multiple dishes which must be served at the same time; the game requires the player to manage their time while cooking. The game gives feedback to the player while they're cooking through pop-up messages and in-game commentary, which note problems in players' cooking styles or timing. Players are scored based on their performance during cooking.
History
The game was first publicized by a press release on April 29, 2009, in which the game's title and the partnership between Namco BandaiNamco Bandai Games
is an arcade, mobile and home video game developer and publisher based in Japan which is the product of a merger between the video game development divisions of Bandai and Namco. Namco Bandai Games is a wholly owned subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings and specializes in production and sales of...
and the Food Network
Food Network
Food Network is a television specialty channel that airs both one-time and recurring programs about food and cooking. Scripps Networks Interactive owns 70 percent of the network, with Tribune Company controlling the remaining 30 percent....
was announced. The game was released on November 3, 2009.
Cook or Be Cooked garnered mediocre reviews from critics mainly for its lack of content; it received compilation scores of 53% and 64% from MetaCritic
Metacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
and GameRankings respectively. GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
's Shaun Mcinnis noted that though the gameplay itself controlled tightly and was fun, it held little replay value because of the lack of dishes to create. David Wolinsky of the A.V. Club described the game as immersive when it worked, but felt the game's small selection of recipes made the fun short-lived. 1UP.com
1UP.com
1UP.com is a video game website owned by IGN Entertainment, a division of News Corporation. Previously, the site was owned by Ziff Davis before being sold to UGO Entertainment in 2009....
's Mike Cruz stated that the game could be finished in one sitting.