Electroplankton

About Electroplankton
Electroplankton is a unique piece of software for the Nintendo DS. It's hard to describe, as it is not a game. If you could define it, you'd probably call it 'touchable media art'. It's an amazing display of creativity, created by the renowned Toshio Iwai. Electroplankton is something that you have to experience to fully grasp.

Electroplankton has been available in Japan for quite some time, and will finally be released for purchase in North America via online retailers and the Nintendo World store in New York.

Note: Most of the information contained within this article is derived from the Japanese version of Electroplankton.

Publisher: Nintendo

Platform: Nintendo DS

Release Date (North America): January 9, 2006

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Different Modes
Electroplankton boasts 10 different modes of play. These modes generate different patterns of audio and visual stimuli. While a few modes are completely random, there are a few that allow you to create melodies and record sounds. Combining some of these modes can yield some nice sounding results, some in the form of actual songs and/or patterns.

The 10 different modes are: Tracy, Hanenbow, Luminaria, Sun-Animalcule, Rec-Rec, Nanocarp, Lumiloop, Marine-Snow, Beatnes, and Volvoice.

You'll also find that you can choose between another 2 modes of play when your first start Electroplankton:


 * AUDIENCE mode simply allows you to view demos of all the different modes. Cycle through the different 'plankton' with the L and R buttons.


 * PERFORMANCE mode places you in control of all the 'plankton'. It is in this mode where you will spend of your time playing Electroplankton.

Playing Electroplankton
Electroplankton takes advantage of every feature the Nintendo DS has to offer (except for wireless play). With that in mind, you'll find that there are different ways to stimulate and play all the different modes.

For example, Rec-Rec allows you to record a short sound clip using the Nintendo DS microphone. You can then manipulate the various options in this mode to modify the way that your recorded sound is played back.

Another good example of playing Electroplankton would be the mode Nanocarp. A large number of 'plankton' swim around the screen, and you can stimulate them by creating ripples in the water. Tap in one area to create a ripple, and any 'plankton' caught in it's wake will generate a varied sound. Use your hands to clap in specific patterns, and the 'plankton' will swim into different formations. Sometimes forming shapes, pictures, or even animations.

The best way to play Electroplankton is to experiment. Get into a mode, and try out various methods of input. Shout, clap, drag, tap, spin. Try anything, and you'll never know what will happen.