Frog Way, by Vital Games, $11.95
Reviewed August 2002

From the joint venture of Alawar Entertainment and VITO Technology, Vital Games is set out to bring some classic games to your PDA using their highly portable game engine. One of their classic remakes is Frog Way based on the old Frogger game. Frog Way has new graphics and a new look, new game play and even a new story.

“Once upon a time there was a little frog. He lived with his big family in a nice and cozy bog. It was Sunday, when he went for a walk with his family and suddenly... he got lost! He decided to find his way back home.” It only takes him 20 levels to find his way back, not to mention all the danger he faces along the way.

Frog Way created a new world in this frog’s life. You start out on tussocks (rocks) where you won’t drown. Next you need to jump between other tussocks and water lily leaves to reach the last tussocks with flowers. The water lily leaves will come and go, so you can only use them as a temporary bridge to reach the end tussocks. There is plenty of food for the frog on his journey and many dangerous creatures waiting in the guise of gray and red toads. Different bugs the frog eats will add bonuses to your score, the bigger the bugs the higher the score. You should always take the Red Berry, which stops the toads, and never touch the Black Berry as they add chances to run into the mean toads. The gray toads are sluggish and stupid. They don’t see where you are and jump into water to their death. The red toads are smart; they will chase you and take all your bonus bugs. You will see more red toads as you advance to higher levels!

The graphics and animation are as unique as the game play. Frog Way’s background is a pond of water, on it you will see dark color tussocks and green lily leaves. The leaves change their sizes as they appear and disappear. Add number of flies, dragonflies, mosquitoes, berries and mean toads, you’ve got a very active game window. Unlike the classic Frogger games where all the traffic going horizontally, Frog Way moves in all directions. The fact that you can’t just look at one line to cross, you must keep an eye out for all possibilities gives this classic hit a new twist keeping the graphic style somewhat similar to please the veterans.

The game gives you the ability to change the speed and provides both stylus and d-pad control options. Frog Way offers very nice sound effects and background music. While the action of the game can be frantic, the music is relaxing. The sound effects are rather cute and appropriate for the game. Frog Way makes a good rendition of the classic Frogger game by adding a new story and a new twist in game play.

The game supports both ARM and MIPS, takes up less than 2MB memory.

Playing Hints and Tips

Look at the big picture when you plan your routes to the end tussocks. Run away from the red toads at first sight. They can chase your down. In the early levels, try to pick up the entire bonus bugs, they add up your score fast.