Cake Mania is a surprisingly highly addictive game that pleasantly surprised this reviewer. We might even call it a diamond in the rough of DS games to currently hit the market.

In Cake Mania you play as Jill, a young woman who has just graduated from culinary school. Her grandparents’ bakery has just closed due to one of those big box chains taking over the local market. It is now your job to earn enough money to buy their bakery back.

This is done through playing through the years of serving customers. Each year is staged at a different location and with the more money you earn the better equipment and supplies you will be able to buy for your shop. You will be able to upgrade such items as ovens and frosting units.

While this is based on the original Flash game for the PC, Cake Mania has been adapted to the DS with use of the touch screen and stylus. You will use the stylus to maneuver Jill around the screen and to meet the needs of your customers.

This game is mainly about multi-tasking and timing. We could see how it could be difficult to some but it is really easy once you get the hang of it. In fact, some of the more aggressive gamers in our office became addicted to this game. It has that quality.

At under $20, Cake Mania is an affordable option for the DS. It might not have all the bells and whistles of other high end puzzle games but still provides the relaxing enjoyment which the puzzle genre is known for.

4.5 out of 5 stars

 

Jill has returned from culinary school only to find her beloved grandparents' bakery closed down. Business has taken a drastic downturn because a new Mega-Mart store opened in the neighborhood. Help Jill upgrade her kitchen with state-of-the-art baking tools while serving her increasingly difficult customers so she can ultimately earn enough money to re-open her grandparents' shop!

	Includes the entire original online Cake Mania game plus the full Back to the Bakery expansion pack
	Over 80 fast-paced levels of baking, each with a specific Baker's Goal to achieve
	Use the Touch Screen to hand out menus, collect your cash, and bake, frost and decorate cakes
	Customize your kitchen by purchasing upgrades including ovens, shoes, decorations and frosting machines
	Bake in five exotic locales-Home Bakery, Beach Front, Circus, Casino and Hawaii
	Serve seasonal customers like Cupid and Santa Claus custom holiday cakes
	Maximize tips from customers by handing out cupcakes and tuning into their favorite TV shows