The Adventures of Cookie & Cream
Cooperative bunny adventure with unique dual-player mechanics.
FromSoftware developed *The Adventures of Cookie & Cream* for the PlayStation 2 in 2000, releasing it in Japan and Europe under the title *Kuri Kuri Mix*. A Nintendo DS port, simply called *Cookie & Cream*, followed in 2007. The game centers on cooperative play, requiring two players to help two bunnies overcome obstacles.
The story follows Cookie (called Chestnut in European and Japanese versions) and Cream, two bunnies heading home for their clan's Moon Festival. The elder of the bunny clan intercepts them, revealing the moon has vanished and the festival will never happen without it. The elder gives each bunny a crown as a symbol of courage, and they set off to retrieve the moon.
Players choose between story mode and versus mode. In story mode, one or two players guide Cookie and Cream to a goal before time runs out. A single player controls both bunnies simultaneously; in two-player mode, each player controls one character. On the PS2, two players can use separate controllers or share one controller, with each holding opposite sides. Obstacles often require one bunny to perform an action so the other can advance. Collectible silver watches add 20 seconds, gold watches add 50 seconds. Puzzle pieces found in story mode unlock bonus content such as artwork and minigames. Versus mode pits two to four players against each other, racing to collect points before reaching the goal. The PS2 version supports Multitap for up to four controllers.
The 2007 Nintendo DS port reworks the gameplay to fit the system. Instead of split-screen platforming, the first player navigates the top screen while the second player uses a stylus on the bottom screen for contextual actions and puzzles. Single-player still lets one person control both characters; cooperative mode assigns one player to Cookie and the other to Cream. Multiplayer works via local wireless or Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Additional content includes a battle mode with 20 competitive mini-games for up to four players.
According to Metacritic, the PS2 version received generally favorable reviews. Critics praised its innovative, entertaining gameplay and its bizarre aesthetics and atmosphere. *Game Informer* gave a positive review nearly two months before the U.S. release. Greg Orlando of *NextGen* also praised it. In Japan, *Famitsu* scored it 30 out of 40.
- Developer
- FromSoftware
- Platforms
- PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS
- Release years
- 2000 (PS2), 2007 (DS)
- Genre
- Action-adventure
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
Lore & Background
The story follows Cookie (Chestnut in European and Japanese versions) and Cream, two bunnies traveling home on the eve of their clan's Moon Festival. The elder of the bunny clan tells them the moon is gone, and without it there will never be another festival. After receiving crowns as symbols of courage, they set out to retrieve the moon. In story mode, players guide both characters to the goal before time runs out. In one-player mode, a single player controls both bunnies simultaneously; in two-player mode, each player controls one. The PS2 version allows two players to share one controller, each holding one side. Players collect silver watches (20 seconds) and gold watches (50 seconds) to extend time, and puzzle pieces unlock bonus content such as artwork and minigames. Versus mode supports 2 to 4 players competing for points.
Reader's Guide
The Adventures of Cookie & Cream is significant for its innovative cooperative design, requiring constant communication and coordination between players. The PS2 version's option for two players to share a single controller was a distinctive feature. The Nintendo DS port reworked gameplay: the first player handled platforming on the top screen, while the second player used a stylus for contextual puzzles on the bottom screen. Multiplayer on DS included local wireless and Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, plus a battle mode with 20 mini-games. Reception was generally favorable for the PS2 version, praised for its inventive gameplay and bizarre aesthetics. The DS version received mixed reviews, with critics noting the touch-screen puzzles were engaging but the platforming level design was bland and controls sometimes clunky. The game's legacy lies in its emphasis on cooperative play, a niche that remains appreciated among fans of two-player experiences.
Did You Know?
- The game is known as Kuri Kuri Mix in Japan and Europe.
- In the PS2 version, two players can share one controller, each holding one side.
- The Nintendo DS version uses the top screen for platforming and the bottom screen for stylus-based puzzles.
- Players can collect silver watches for 20 seconds and gold watches for 50 seconds of extra time.
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