Shopping Cart Hero – Review
By App Type: Uncategorized
Our rating: 
By: Shopping Cart Hero
Version #: 1.0.0 (iPhone OS 3.0 Tested)
Date Released: 2009-09-01
Developer: MonkeyWantBanana
Price: 0.99
User Rating:
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The iPhone, in my mind, makes for the perfect marraige of simple yet ridiculous concepts.
It’s a step above the web where anyone with a basic working knowledge of Flash can create a decent game if their imagination can keep up with their technical inclinations. And it’s a step below the home console where graphics and technological advancements can get in the way of creating a decent story or unique experience.
"Shopping Cart Hero," based on a popular web Flash game, takes a very crazy idea but gives it a lot of new dimensions that surpasses its web counterpart without sacrificing the craziness that makes it awesome.
It’s hard to describe in terms of genre, but think of it as a mix between point-based stunt sports and a money sim game. Our stick figure shaped hero pushes a shopping cart down a hill and receives a stipend for achieving certain height, distance and trick records. You then spend the money on upgrades for the cart on things as simple as rounder wheels to the crazy like fighter jet propulsion boosters or a handglider attachment.
The fun comes from not only completing ridiculous "Jackass" style jumps but beating your previous records to achieve the bigger and better items. And the game actually culminates in two surprise endings that create a whole new challenge outside of the main one to give the game even more playability.
The look of the game is rather simple with character consisting of stick figures as they zoom by on a simple cartoon backdrop. It isn’t very detailed or deep but it doesn’t get in the way of the spirit or fun of the game.
In order to complete your various tricks and landing, you have to complete a certain combination of moves using the touch screen and balance your vehicle upon approach using the built-in accelerometer by tilting the device in either direction. The tricks, while varied and challenging, can get a little frustrating since some are slightly similar than others and are harder to do on a touch screen, compared to say a D-pad on a video game console or a joystick on an arcade console.
They don’t, however, get into the fun of the game that stretches long after you’ve completed it and become the ultimate "Shopping Cart Hero" champion.
Quick Take
Value:You get a lot of mileage for the price tag.
Would I Buy Again:Definitely, it's worth another roll down the hill.
Learning Curve:The tricks can get a little complicated, but the touch and swipe method makes it fun and simple.
Who Is It For:"Jackass" wannabes who still wish Johnny Knoxville had reviewed their homemade tape of the time they lit a friend on fire and pushed him down a hill for their "Stop, Drop and Roll" stunt.
What I Like:It's goofy, off-the-wall and addictive, even after you've achieved all the achievements it has to offer.
What I Don't Like:Some of the more complicated tricks can get in the way of its interactivity.
Final Statement:Pushing a friend down a hill in any context is just good, wholesome fun.
