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| Baku Baku Animal | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Sega |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Platform(s) | Arcade,Saturn,Game Gear,Windows,Master System,mobile phones |
| Release | 1995 (Arcade) April 1996 (Sega Saturn) 1996 (Sega Game Gear) 1996 (Windows 95) 1996 (Sega Master System) 2002 (mobile phone) |
| Genre(s) | Puzzle |
| Mode(s) | Single-player,multiplayer |
| Arcade system | Sega Titan Video (ST-V)[1] |
Baku Baku,[2] released in Japan asBaku Baku Animal,[a] is a 1995falling block puzzlevideo game developed and published bySega forarcades. It is Sega's first network compatiblePC game.[3] ASega NetLink compatible version of the game was also announced,[4] but never released. The Japaneseonomatopoeia "Baku Baku" roughly translates to "Chomp Chomp".[5]
The player must line up falling blocks of animals and food. When an animal is aligned adjacent to a tile of its favored food, the animal eats the food. Larger groups of connected food of the same type scores higher when eaten.
When animals eat foodstuffs, they also make random blocks fall on the opponent's area, right after the currently falling blocks. The object of the game is to make one's opponent unable to place more blocks.
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Electronic Gaming Monthly | 7.375/10(Game Gear)[6] |
| GameSpot | 7.8/10(Saturn)[7] |
| IGN | 8/10(mobile phone)[2] |
| Maximum |   (Saturn)[8] |
| Next Generation | (Saturn)[9] |
| Sega Saturn Magazine | 90%(Saturn)[10] |
In Japan,Game Machine listedBaku Baku Animal on their June 1, 1995 issue as being the eleventh most-successful arcade game of the month.[11]
The Saturn version was met with critical acclaim upon release, withMaximum calling it "the best 'next generation'puzzle game we've seen to date",[8]Sega Saturn Magazine "some of the most addictive puzzle play sinceTetris",[10]GameSpot "a must own" for "Saturn owners who have even a remote interest in puzzle games",[7] andGamePro "undeniably the best puzzle game in the world so far."[5] Critics lauded the addictive gameplay, especially in two-player competitive mode,[7][8][9][10][5] but the cutegraphics and sounds were met with general approval as well.[7][8][10]
Reviewing the Game Gear version, the four reviewers ofElectronic Gaming Monthly commented that the gameplay concept ofBaku Baku Animal is simple and accessible, yet has enough strategic possibilities to engage even veteran players. Andrew Baran summarized it as "non-threatening fun anyone can enjoy".[6]
Baku Baku wonComputer Gaming World's 1996 "Classic/Puzzle Game of the Year" award. The editors wrote, "The beauty of this game [...] lies in its ability to suck you in and keep you coming back for more and more. If you haven't already tried it, beware:Baku Bakuwill eat up your time."[12] It was a finalist for theComputer Game Developers Conference's 1996 "Best Trivia or Puzzle Game"Spotlight Award,[13] but lost the prize toYou Don't Know Jack XL.[14]Electronic Gaming Monthly named the Game Gear version a runner up for "Hand-Held Game of the Year" and the Saturn version a runner up for "Puzzle Game of the Year" (beaten in both cases byTetris Attack).[15]
Baku Baku Animal was named the 72nd best computer game ever byPC Gamer UK in 1997.[16]
Awhite label 12 inchEP consisting entirely of dance tracks using sound effects fromBaku Baku Animal, recorded by The Dream Team and Timebase for theSuburban Base label, was circulated todisc jockeys in 1996.[17]
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