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 Nintendo's online store.
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 or actual songs and/or patterns.
The 10 different modes are: Tracy, Hanenbow, Luminaria, Sun-Animalcule, Rec-Rec, Nanocarp, Lumiloop, Marine-Snow, Beatnes, Volvoice.
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 touches will generate a varied sound. Clap in specific patterns, and the 'plankton' will swim into different formations. Sometimes forming shapes, pictures, or even animation.
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.