Yoshi Touch & Go

Yoshi Touch & Go
For alternate box art, see the game's gallery.
Developer	Nintendo EAD
Publisher	Nintendo
Platform(s)	Nintendo DS, Virtual Console (Wii U)
Release date	Nintendo DS: January 27, 2005[?] January 27, 2005[?] March 15, 2005 May 6, 2005[?] May 19, 2005[?] February 14, 2006[?] Virtual Console (Wii U) (Full Release): April 9, 2015[?] July 23, 2015[?] July 24, 2015[?] May 18, 2016[?] Virtual Console (Wii U) (Promotional Release): June 25, 2015[?] June 26, 2015[?]
Language(s)	English French (France) German Spanish (Spain) Italian Japanese Simplified Chinese
Genre	Platformer/Puzzle
Rating(s)	ESRB: - Everyone PEGI: - Three years and older CERO: - All ages ACB: - General USK: - All ages
Mode(s)	Single-player, Multiplayer
Format	Wii U: Digital download Nintendo DS: Game Card
Input	Wii U: Wii U GamePad Nintendo DS: Stylus
Serial code(s)	NTR-AYIJ-JPN NTR-AYIE-USA NTR-AYIP-EUR NTR-AYIE-AUS NTR-AYIC-CHN

Yoshi Touch & Go is a platform/puzzle game developed by Nintendo EAD for the Nintendo DS and the only spin-off game in the Yoshi's Island series. It originally released in Japan and the ROC on January 27, 2005. One part of the game involves Baby Mario falling from the sky, while the other involves him riding a Yoshi, in the manner of an endless runner. Nearly the entire game uses touch controls, namely to throw eggs, trap enemies in bubbles, and create paths using clouds. "Touch & Go" in the title refers to the overall objective of having to multi-task against several obstacles along the way.

The game was later ported for the Virtual Console for the Wii U in 2015 and 2016.

Story

From the instruction booklet

A lone stork flies hastily through the darkened pre-dawn skies. Held firmly in its beak is a very special package: a pair of newborn twins, which the stork is hurrying to deliver to their parents!

Just as the stork races through the skies over Yoshi's Island, something terrible happens! A dark shadow rushes toward the stork with tremendous speed and crashes into it! The startled stork drops the twin babies...

Help the falling Baby Mario land on Yoshi's back, then help Yoshi return the babies to the stork. Try to earn as many points as you can as quickly as possible. Master the touch-action in this game and try to set new records!

Gameplay

The Sky Area, where Baby Mario drops slowly from the sky

In every game mode, Kamek crashes into the Stork, who then drops Baby Mario and Baby Luigi. The player guides only Baby Mario by creating clouds as well as circles enemies to defeat them. For the first part, the SKy Area, Baby Mario has three balloons representing his HP, so if Baby Mario hits an enemy three times, he is defeated and then captured by Kamek. Small tree leaves are near the ground, and touching them can reveal bonus points such as Yellow Coins and Blue Coins. A Yoshi awaits Baby Mario at the ground, with its color depending on the number of points obtained, also affecting its speed and the maximum capacity of eggs.

The Ground Area, where Baby Mario rides a Yoshi

The second part, the "Ground Area," has the Yoshi automatically walking along to the stork, with the player continuing to draw clouds to guide him. Blowing into the microphone gets rid of every cloud. Unlike the cloud area, the player character has only one hit point. Yoshi can jump by tapping it and then Flutter Jump by holding it while in midair. Most enemies can be defeated when jumped on. The player can form bubbles by drawing circles, like in the Sky Area, as well as drag and fling them with the stylus, including toward Yoshi to obtain its contents. Enemies can be trapped in a bubble unless they are spiked, changing into a coin. More bonus points can be earned from trapping more enemies into a bubble at once. Eggs are laid by Yoshi automatically when eating a fruit, not enemies like in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island and Yoshi's Story, and eggs also bounce around until they go offscreen. Fruit can also be trapped into bubbles. By tapping on the touch screen, the player can have Yoshi throw the egg where they tapped. Having an egg hit enemies earns the player points in the same manner as collecting coins.

There is a "Rankings" sub-menu of the title screen that registers high scores, including cases where the player character had been defeated. Various enemy and character icons can represent the player, including adult Mario and Luigi, as well as sprites from Super Mario Bros.

Modes

The last two of the four modes are unlocked by clearing the top scores of the first two modes.

• Score Attack: Yoshi and Baby Mario try to travel 1000 yards to the Stork, and earning a high score shows Baby Luigi riding on the Stork.
• Marathon: An endless runner mode where Baby Mario is handed over to the next Yoshi every 1000 yards. Baby Mario also becomes Super Baby from a Super Star for every 100 points obtained.
• Time Attack: The Sky Area has more enemies, bumpers, and Super Stars. The Ground Area involves Baby Mario and a Yoshi going after the Toadies, who are carrying Baby Luigi away. Unlike other modes, the clouds are yellow, allowing the Yoshi to run faster. By attacking the Toadies enough, Yoshi saves Baby Luigi, earning even more points the faster Baby Luigi is saved.
• Challenge: A variation of Marathon that is also an endless runner, except the player has to earn time by defeating enemies and earning points. If time is up, Kamek comes to steal Baby Mario, ending gameplay.

The game has a multiplayer mode titled Vs. Battle mode, which supports play from a single Game Card, with the host controlling Baby Mario and the other player Baby Luigi. Players race to the end goal, which depicts a Yoshi's face, and each player can also see their opponent's progress during the race. Whoever crosses the goal wins, though an enemy or a pit can also cause a Yoshi to lose. The same yellow clouds appear from Time Attack. Marutchi are the only enemies encountered, though using an egg to defeat several in a row causes a few red spiked Briers to appear on the opponent's screen.

Options

The title screen also has an "Options" sub-menu, featuring the following:

• Sound: The options are "Surround," "Stereo," or "Headphones."
• Backlight: The options are to turn the backlight on or off.
• Mic Sensitivity: The options are "High," "Normal," "Low," or "Off."
• Yoshi's Direction: For left-handed players, Yoshi can run from right to left instead of vice versa.
• PictoChat Search: The player can search for nearby PictoChat rooms, although this exits the game. A orange chat icon appears to the top left of the touch screen if one is nearby, and the player can tap it to enter. The functionality can be turned off.

Characters

Yoshis

The following table displays information pertaining which color of Yoshi the player controls during the Marathon Mode. During this mode, White Yoshi may randomly be played during one 1,000 yard run, after having finished one 1,000 yard run as a Black Yoshi.

Color of Yoshi	Distance	Number of eggs
Green Yoshi	1,000-2,000 yards	20 eggs
Light Blue Yoshi	2,000-3,000 yards	25 eggs
Pink Yoshi	3,000-4,000 yards	30 eggs
Blue Yoshi	4,000-5,000 yards	35 eggs
Yellow Yoshi	5,000-6,000 yards	40 eggs
Red Yoshi	6,000-7,000 yards	45 eggs
Black Yoshi	7,000-10,000 yards	50 eggs
Orange Yoshi	10,000-20,000 yards	50 eggs
Purple Yoshi	20,000+ yards	50 eggs
White Yoshi	Performance Related	Unlimited

Supporting characters

Image	Name	Description
	Baby Mario	Baby Mario is first seen in the Sky Area, held by balloons, and the player guides him during his descent. His invincible form, Super Baby, can run through enemies and obstacles, go up walls, and throw star projectiles.
	Baby Luigi	Baby Luigi has to be rescued from Kamek's Toadies. He is carried by the second player's Yoshi in VS. Battle mode.
	Stork	Every mode starts with the Stork dropping Baby Mario and Luigi, after being crashed into. The Yoshis try to return the babies to the Stork.

Enemies

Image	Name	Description
	Blusty	They move around in a set course.
	Baby Bowser	He cameos only in Challenge mode, riding with Kamek if the player surpasses 3000 yards.
	Brier	They can be defeated from an egg while their spikes are retracted. They have a red type featured only in Challenge and Vs. Battle modes.
	Cheep Cheep	They leap either straight up or in an arc and flop belly-up on clouds. They reward two points.
	Fang	They fly up and down while moving forward slowly. Fangs reward two points.
	Flightless Goonie	They simply run on the ground. Flightless Goonies reward two points.
	Fly Guy	They fly around, in a specific path if red; up and down if green; dive at Yoshi if blue; and carry items if yellow. They reward two points.
	Goonie	Throwing an egg at one turns it into a Flightless Goonie. They reward two points.
	Gusty	They move past at varying speeds and reward two points.
	Kamek	He is invincible and only arrives to kidnap Baby Mario after losing every balloon in the Sky Area or once time runs out in Challenge mode.
	Kamek's Toadies	Hitting each of them three times removes them from Baby Luigi, then a fourth time defeats them.
	Lakitu	They sometimes show up, flying by. Lakitus reward five points, besides Challenge, where they reward 15 seconds.
	Marutchi	They are Brier variations that can be circled and reward two points.
	Monty Mole	They appear from the ground to go after Yoshi. Monty Moles reward two points.
	Needlenose	They are spiky objects thrown by Ukikis.
	Piranha Plant	They take three hits to defeat, from green to yellow to red. They reward two points.
	Propeller Mūcho	They shoot flying balls that only eggs can destroy and reward two points.
	Shy Guy	The weakest enemies, Shy Guys can be defeated by any attack.
	Skeleton Goonie	They travel slowly across the screen, carrying a Shy Guy in Marathon mode but red Briers in other modes.
	Spiny Cheep-Cheep	Spiked blue Cheep Cheeps that can be defeated with an egg. They reward four points.
	Spiny Egg	They are produced by Wild Ptooie Piranhas and Wall Lakitus.
	Tap-Tap	Gray Tap-Taps hop while the orange type walks. A Tap-Tap rolls if hit by an egg, defeating enemies along the way, but another Tap-Tap can defeat it.
	Toady	The green type tries to capture Baby Mario, while several of the purple type try to protect Kamek's Toadies in Time Attack.
	Ukiki	They not only hop about but also switch between throwing Needlenoses and bananas from trees. Ukikis reward two points.
	Wall Lakitu	Throws Spiny Eggs through holes in the wall. They reward two points, though flashing ones reward four.
	Whirly Fly Guy	They hide in grass and fly away when approached. Whirly Fly Guys reward four points.
	Wild Ptooie Piranha	Piranha Plants that spit out Spiny Eggs though are otherwise the same. They reward four points.

Items and objects

Fruit

Image	Name	Eggs given
	Apple	1
	Banana	3
	Watermelon	5
	Grapes	10
	Melon	20

Coins

Image	Name	Point value
	Yellow Coin	1
	Blue Coin	2
	Red Coin	4

Others

Image	Name	Description
	Arrow Cloud	Clouds that direct eggs in the direction of the arrow. They are featured in red type and the diagonal green type.
	Balloon	These carry both Baby Mario and Baby Luigi, as well as POW Blocks in Challenge mode.
	Bumper	They bump Baby Mario on contact.
	Bubble	Bubbles can be popped, eaten, or dragged with the stylus. There is the small, pink type, which sometimes spawns with an item inside, and the large orange type, shown when circling enemies and items.
	Cascading Stone	These rocky platforms crumble and fall shortly after being landed on.
	Cloud	They are drawn with the stylus, and the yellow type in Time Attack increases Yoshi's movement speed.
	POW Block	Found only in Challenge mode, a POW Block destroys every enemy onscreen.
	Super Star	It transforms Baby Mario into Super Baby.
	Wind	Represented by blown leaves, these scatter clouds and cause them to vanish.
	Yoshi's Egg	They are thrown by Yoshis to attack.

Staff

Main article: List of Yoshi Touch & Go staff

Yoshi Touch & Go was directed by Hiroyuki Kimura; his resume included directing most of the Super Mario Advance titles. The game was his last role as a director before he served as a producer and a co-producer in future games. Yasuhisa Yamamura and Masataka Takemoto were both involved with the level design; Yamamura was involved with the creation of the map design of many Super Mario titles, including Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. Kazumi Totaka was the sound director of the game and he provided the Yoshis' voices. This game contains the famous "Totaka's Song", a little tune included in almost every game where Kazumi Totaka is a member of the music staff. Here, pausing in the windy area explored in Marathon Mode to allow the background music to loop long enough will yield a short section with the Totaka song's notes. Asuka Hayazaki and Toru Minegishi composed the game's soundtrack; the former would go on to compose music for future Super Mario titles namely New Super Mario Bros. and Mario Kart Wii among other games. Charles Martinet provided the voice for Baby Mario, though his voice clips are reused from Mario Kart: Double Dash!!

Development

Game logo

Yoshi Touch & Go was originally planned as a puzzle-oriented, horizontal platformer for the Nintendo GameCube centered around the concept of Yoshi protecting Baby Mario. It would also use the GameCube controller and was said to have apparently always focused on drawing as a major gameplay element, although such a statement may have been referring to the game's later Nintendo DS version when spoken by the developers. Sometime during the game's development, it would appear to have split into both a Nintendo DS and GameCube version (the latter of which was favored by Shigeru Miyamoto), the developers undecided as to which one would be released.

It was first revealed to the public in the form of Balloon Trip, a tech demo at E3 2004 featuring only the Sky Areas that would be included in the retail game. Balloon Trip was received well enough for Nintendo to permit its developers to release it as a full game, and the team working on it soon grew. Balloon Trip also helped the developers in deciding to cancel the GameCube version of Yoshi Touch & Go and completely move their project to the Nintendo DS. On October 7th, 2004, Yoshi Touch & Go was announced as a full game. The Ground Area in the retail version may have been inspired by the puzzle-platforming elements of the canceled Nintendo GameCube version.

Reception

Yoshi Touch & Go has received generally positive to mixed reviews garnering a 73 based on 41 reviews on Metacritic and 75.01% based on 51 reviews on GameRankings. Critics have generally praised the fast, frantic gameplay, the addictive loops of its simple, yet effective playstyle, its bright and colorful graphics, and its unique take on the Yoshi franchise being a episodic game rather than one that has any overarching narrative, creating high replay value. Most of the game's criticism was directed towards its lack of content, which some critics felt like they were playing a minigame or a Nintendo DS tech demo at full price and that it can be enjoyed only in very short bursts.

Craig Harris from IGN gave the game an 8.8/10. He has praised the game for being "one of the most original and unique games created for the system so far, and it's truly a design that's unlike anything you've played before." While he has labeled the presentation as "cut-and-dry" and pointed out the game lacking an overarching narrative, he wrote that the game still stood on its own, being reminiscent of the "old-school ways". Harris additionally praised the two-player mode, as it is single-cartridge and its simple race to the finish line concept was simple but addicting. Ryan Davis from GameSpot gave the game a 7.2 out of 10, also echoing the addictive, fun qualities of the game as well as being a game that works only for the Nintendo DS, though he criticized the lack of substance; due to its short length, he stated that players find themselves replaying the same levels again and again, which "eventually rote memorization supplants actual skill". He additionally wrote that the multiplayer mode, while not as compelling as the main game, "stands as a nice addition to the package regardless."

Jeremy Parish from 1UP gave the game a C+. He has praised the game for its quality and creativity, where he wrote that the visuals and overall presentation made the game feel like a sequel to Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island and that while the game is comparable to the NES title, Gumshoe, Yoshi Touch & Go was a much more satisfying experience than anything before thanks to the touch screen controls. However, he has wrote that the game lacks depth and is "reminiscent of a first-generation NES game." He ended by saying that Yoshi Touch & Go feels incomplete and is just another high-quality novelty for the Nintendo DS.

Reviews
Release	Reviewer, Publication	Score	Verdict
Nintendo DS	Craig Harris, IGN	8.8/10	"Really, the only harsh criticism that can be attached to Yoshi Touch & Go is that it breaks from the expected "beginning, middle, and end" platform presentation, instead going back to the old-school arcade days of trying to see how far you can get on a single try. And I'll admit that, initially, it was someone[sic] concerning to discover the lack of an extensive level progression in the latest Yoshi game. But the game modes offer an enormous amount of replay in their simplistic design; the main game mode has a ton of "combo" strings to discover and pull off. Marathon Mode constantly offers a fresh take on the same Yoshi rounds by randomizing challenges throughout the run-through. And the intense multiplayer mode is incredibly hard to turn off once it gets started. It was difficult to see the direction Nintendo was heading with the concept of Yoshi Touch & Go back at E3, or at the very least, how it was all going to come together as a full-fledged gaming package. But in its final form, Nintendo succeeded admirably, both in game concept and in an experience that can't be obtained anywhere else but on the Nintendo DS platform. Don't expect and[sic] extension of the Yoshi's Island series on the DS, as this game doesn't come anywhere close to attempting the next generation of platform design. Rather, what you're getting is a wonderful throwback to the days of self-competition: Nintendo's "Donkey Kong" arcade game of the 21st century."
Nintendo DS	Ryan Davis, GameSpot	7.2/10	"The novelty of the gameplay is almost palpable, but so are the game's tech demo roots."
Nintendo DS	Phil Theobald, Gamespy	3.5/5	"Like the recently released DS game, Pokemon Dash, this game feels like a mini-game that was hastily turned into a full product. The main difference here, however, is that Touch & Go is actually fun to play. Hopefully though, Nintendo is working on something a little more substantial for its dual screened system. These gimmicky titles, regardless of how much fun they are, can't carry the hardware for long."
Nintendo DS	Jeremy Parish, 1UP	C+	"It sits uncomfortably on the borderline between puzzle game and platformer, but it lacks the substance of the latter while failing to capture the "zen trance" feel of something like "Tetris" or "Lumines.""
Nintendo DS	Tom Bramwell, Eurogamer	6/10	"Ultimately, Yoshi's Touch & Go looks like it's asking a difficult question, but it never really does because the core concept - whilst interesting, different and certainly as well executed as it can be - never quite hits the level of compulsiveness and excitement that other high-score games like Meteos and Zoo Keeper and, to a certain extent, the Mario 64 DS mini-games have already hit. It'll be well worth checking out when it hits £15, but until then it's Yoshi's Touch & Go."
Nintendo DS	Cassie, Cheat Code Central	2.5/5	"For the most part Touch & Go plays, looks and feels like mini-game escapee from a Wario Ware game and as a fullpriced title, that's inexusable[sic]. The game IS addictive and fun and controls like the dickens but it's really worth a rental at best. And that's IF you can find a place renting DS games at this time. If you can't, borrow this from your friend who was silly enough to buy it before reading this review."
Aggregators
Compiler		Platform / Score
Metacritic		73
GameRankings		75.01%

References to other games

• Super Mario Bros. - There are three sets of high-score icons to use on the high-score table: One based on the Yoshi franchise, one based the Super Mario franchise, and one that uses the same characters of the previous set, but uses original sprites from this game instead. Also, the stomping and shell-hitting sound effects from this game are re-used in Yoshi Touch & Go.
• Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island - This game's story is basically retold in Yoshi Touch & Go. The enemies from this game also return, as well as music which is covered and heard in some levels.
• Mario Kart: Double Dash!! - The Super Mario franchise high-score icons previously mentioned uses the same design as the ones from this game.

References in later games

• Yoshi's Island DS - Many of the game's sprites are redrawn from Yoshi Touch & Go, such as Yoshi, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, and Kamek's sprites. Artwork is reused as well, including the Baby Mario and Yoshi artwork on the box artwork.
• Super Smash Bros. Brawl - The "Flower Field" music returns as a cover for the Yoshi's Island stage.
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Artwork of Baby Mario and Yoshi is reused from the game in the Yoshi's Island course in the Booster Course Pass on the mural outside of Yoshi's House.

Profiles

Wii U eShop description

Guide Yoshi in bringing Baby Mario™ and Baby Luigi™ to safety!

Help Baby Mario and Yoshi get past airborne and grounded enemies as they attempt to reach the delivery stork. Set new records as you trek Yoshi's Island, and you may even encounter Baby Luigi and other Yoshis who need your help. Master your actions by using only the GamePad!

As a lone stork races through the skies over Yoshi's Island, he's startled and drops the precious bundle he was on his way to deliver. Draw clouds and bubbles to help guide Baby Mario onto Yoshi's back. Then, create paths as you race across the island to meet up with the stork. Yoshi is equipped to fight off enemies, so don't be afraid to throw some eggs at them. If you find yourself running low on ammo, replenish by eating some fruit. Earn as many points as quickly as you can while besting records in four fun modes!

Gallery

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Yoshi Touch & Go.

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  Yoshi and Baby Mario

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  Fly Guy

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  Kamek

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  Stork holding Baby Mario and Baby Luigi

Media

For a complete list of media for this subject, see List of Yoshi Touch & Go media.

Title Screen - Title screen music0:31

File infoMedia:Title Screen (YT&G).oga 0:30

Sky Area - Music that plays during the Sky Area portion.0:31

File infoMedia:Sky Area (YT&G).oga 0:30

Flower Fields - Common overworld music.0:31

File infoMedia:Flower Fields (YT&G).oga 0:30

Windy Area - Music that plays in the Windy Area in Marathon Mode. It also contains Totaka's Song later in the song.0:31

File infoMedia:Windy Area (YT&G).oga 0:30

Help:Media • Having trouble playing?

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	キャッチ！タッチ！ヨッシー！ Kyatchi! Tatchi! Yosshī!	Catch! Touch! Yoshi!
Chinese (simplified)	摸摸耀西-云中漫步 Mōmō Yàoxī: Yúnzhōng Mànbù	Touch Yoshi: Strolling in Clouds
Chinese (traditional)	捕捉！觸摸！耀西 Bǔzhuō！Chùmō! Yàoxī!	Catch! Touch! Yoshi!

Notes

• When Baby Mario lands on Yoshi's saddle, during the cutscene, the player can touch Baby Mario with the stylus to tickle him and make him laugh.

Footnotes and references

External links

• Japanese instruction booklet