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Odama
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<h2 id="plot">Plot</h2> <p>The main character in <i>Odama</i> is Yamanouchi Kagetora, a young general struggling to avenge his clan and preserve the Way of <a href="/facts/Nintendo/dMrLpaHu">Ninten-do</a>, which is a philosophy that means "The way of heavenly duty". With this philosophy to guide him, he finds that his individual soldiers can band together to create a force strong enough to defeat even the most powerful enemy, a general named Karasuma Genshin. Genshin betrayed Lord Yamanouchi Nobutada, Kagetora's father, in a coup, leading Lord Nobutada to take his own life in order to avoid the shame of defeat. Kagetora exacts his revenge, using only limited resources against a vast army. One of these resources is a sacred object protected by his clan: a legendary weapon called the Odama. </p> <h2 id="gameplay">Gameplay</h2> <p>The player controls flippers, which operate exactly like those in a <a href="/facts/Pinball/woBqmMfo">pinball</a> game: they strike the Odama back into the battlefield, directing it into targets and away from soldiers. Between the two flippers, the commander stands guard, hacking down any soldiers who attempt to pass. Players can tilt the battlefield, allowing them to alter the course of the Odama. The goal is to shatter the enemy gates with the Odama and direct a crew of men carrying a giant bell to pass through the opened gates. Players' soldiers will defend their crew and seize enemy positions to protect their men on the mission. </p><p>The <a href="/facts/Nintendo_GameCube_accessories/abw8tpu9">GameCube Microphone</a> was included with the game. Using the Microphone, players direct soldiers by giving voice commands. There are 11 commands, ranging from generic (moving left and right, advancing and retreating) to map-specific and special moves. </p> <h2 id="development">Development</h2> <p><i>Odama</i> was developed by <a href="/facts/Vivarium_(company)/dQH8AYeN">Vivarium</a> and chiefly designed by <a href="/facts/Yoot_Saito/pj8PVlo7">Yoot Saito</a>, the creator of <i><a href="/facts/Seaman_(video_game)/BbojYlQ6">Seaman</a></i> for the <a href="/facts/Dreamcast/jdPb5uBX">Dreamcast</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> The actual development was outsourced to Studiofake, a company that is uncredited for its work save for director Keiji Okayasu.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> According to Nintendo producer <a href="/facts/Shigeru_Miyamoto/xYoBgNnb">Shigeru Miyamoto</a>, the publisher was initially taken aback by the game's curious mix of pinball and real-time tactics and Saito's initial pitch, "I want to make a pinball game set in feudal Japan." However, Saito eventually convinced them after creating a demo of the game.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a> </p><p><i>Odama</i> debuted at the <a href="/facts/Electronic_Entertainment_Expo/0tq1j8qq">Electronic Entertainment Expo</a> (E3) in 2004. This version of the game showcased the use of the <a href="/facts/DK_Bongos/abw8tpu9">DK Bongos</a>, which allowed a second player to raise troop morale and distract enemy troops by repeatedly beating the drums.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a> However, this feature was absent from its E3 showing the next year and dropped prior to the game's release.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="reception">Reception</h2> ReceptionAggregate score<table><tbody><tr><th scope="col">Aggregator</th><th scope="col">Score</th></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Metacritic/Wve8EJFd">Metacritic</a></td><td>62 of 100<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a></td></tr></tbody></table>Review scores<table><tbody><tr><th scope="col">Publication</th><th scope="col">Score</th></tr><tr><td><i><a href="/facts/Edge_(magazine)/CW3y2hzN">Edge</a></i></td><td>4 of 10<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a></td></tr><tr><td><i><a href="/facts/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly/d5JXGadB">Electronic Gaming Monthly</a></i></td><td>5.83 of 10<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a></td></tr><tr><td><i><a href="/facts/Eurogamer/DjDbSqEj">Eurogamer</a></i></td><td>6 of 10<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a></td></tr><tr><td><i><a href="/facts/Famitsu/t92U0WbH">Famitsu</a></i></td><td>31 of 40<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a></td></tr><tr><td><i><a href="/facts/Game_Informer/Ja7H8cg0">Game Informer</a></i></td><td>7 of 10<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a></td></tr><tr><td><i><a href="/facts/GamePro/3DujtsPu">GamePro</a></i></td><td><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a></td></tr><tr><td><i><a href="/facts/GameRevolution/7EGGKkIx">GameRevolution</a></i></td><td>C+<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a></td></tr><tr><td><i><a href="/facts/GameSpot/nknHJf2D">GameSpot</a></i></td><td>6.6 of 10<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17"><sup>17</sup></a></td></tr><tr><td><i><a href="/facts/GameSpy/3seUUYSw">GameSpy</a></i></td><td><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18"><sup>18</sup></a></td></tr><tr><td><i><a href="/facts/GameTrailers/IKttuenX">GameTrailers</a></i></td><td>6.5 of 10<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19"><sup>19</sup></a></td></tr><tr><td><i>GameZone</i></td><td>6.5 of 10<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20"><sup>20</sup></a></td></tr><tr><td><i><a href="/facts/IGN/kNcWSmFY">IGN</a></i></td><td>6.5 of 10<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21"><sup>21</sup></a></td></tr><tr><td><i><a href="/facts/Nintendo_Power/aPMgtCHk">Nintendo Power</a></i></td><td>8.5 of 10<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22"><sup>22</sup></a></td></tr><tr><td><i><a href="/facts/The_A.V._Club/bgV46awt">The A.V. Club</a></i></td><td>C−<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:23" href="#fn:23"><sup>23</sup></a></td></tr><tr><td><i><a href="/facts/Detroit_Free_Press/rFUpAUJK">Detroit Free Press</a></i></td><td><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:24" href="#fn:24"><sup>24</sup></a></td></tr></tbody></table>Award<table><tbody><tr><th scope="col">Publication</th><th scope="col">Award</th></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/IGN/kNcWSmFY">IGN</a></td><td>2006 Most Innovative Design<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:25" href="#fn:25"><sup>25</sup></a></td></tr></tbody></table> <p>The game received "mixed" reviews according to video game <a href="/facts/Review_aggregator/EpyYjDP6">review aggregator</a> <a href="/facts/Metacritic/Wve8EJFd">Metacritic</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:26" href="#fn:26"><sup>26</sup></a> In Japan, <i><a href="/facts/Famitsu/t92U0WbH">Famitsu</a></i> gave it a score of three eights and one seven for a total of 31 out of 40.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:27" href="#fn:27"><sup>27</sup></a> </p><p><i>Odama</i> won <a href="/facts/IGN/kNcWSmFY">IGN</a>'s Most Innovative Design for a GameCube game in 2006.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:28" href="#fn:28"><sup>28</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="notes">Notes</h2> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <ul><li><a href="https://www.mobygames.com/game/gamecube/odama"><i>Odama</i></a> at <a href="/facts/MobyGames/ErGhXfX5">MobyGames</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ngc/gooj/index.html">Official website</a> (in Japanese)</li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>Odama (大玉, Ōdama, lit. "Great Ball") <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>"ファンコーポレーション | FUN Corporation WORKS 主要業務実績". ファンコーポレーション | FUN Corporation (in Japanese). Retrieved February 2, 2025. <a href="https://www.funco.co.jp/works" target="_blank">https://www.funco.co.jp/works</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>Gibson, Ellie (January 6, 2006). "Miyamoto talks Odama". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on October 9, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2011. <a href="http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/news060106miyamoto" target="_blank">http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/news060106miyamoto</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>Dormer, Dan (January 13, 2006). "Odama Gets Release Date". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved January 16, 2016. <a href="http://www.1up.com/news/odama-release-date" target="_blank">http://www.1up.com/news/odama-release-date</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>"ファンコーポレーション | FUN Corporation WORKS 主要業務実績". ファンコーポレーション | FUN Corporation (in Japanese). Retrieved February 2, 2025. <a href="https://www.funco.co.jp/works" target="_blank">https://www.funco.co.jp/works</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>Gibson, Ellie (January 6, 2006). "Miyamoto talks Odama". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on October 9, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2011. <a href="http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/news060106miyamoto" target="_blank">http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/news060106miyamoto</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>IGN Staff (May 11, 2004). "E3 2004: Odama Unveiled". IGN. Archived from the original on March 22, 2016. Retrieved January 16, 2016. <a href="http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/05/12/e3-2004-odama-unveiled" target="_blank">http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/05/12/e3-2004-odama-unveiled</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>Dormer, Dan (January 13, 2006). "Odama Gets Release Date". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved January 16, 2016. <a href="http://www.1up.com/news/odama-release-date" target="_blank">http://www.1up.com/news/odama-release-date</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>"Odama for GameCube Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on July 19, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2016. <a href="https://www.metacritic.com/game/odama/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube" target="_blank">https://www.metacritic.com/game/odama/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>Edge staff (May 2006). "Odama". Edge. No. 162. p. 90. <a href="/wiki/Edge_(magazine)" target="_blank">/wiki/Edge_(magazine)</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>EGM staff (June 2006). "Odama". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 204. p. 119. <a href="/wiki/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly" target="_blank">/wiki/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>Bramwell, Tom (March 31, 2006). "Odama". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2012. <a href="http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_odama_gc" target="_blank">http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_odama_gc</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>Riley, Adam (April 6, 2006). "Famitsu Rates Odama & Legend of Stafi". Cubed. Archived from the original on May 10, 2017. Retrieved January 16, 2016. <a href="http://www.cubed3.com/news/4880/1/nintendo-reviews-famitsu-rates-odama-and-legend-of-stafi.html" target="_blank">http://www.cubed3.com/news/4880/1/nintendo-reviews-famitsu-rates-odama-and-legend-of-stafi.html</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>Miller, Matt (March 2006). "Odama". Game Informer. No. 155. p. 112. Archived from the original on April 8, 2006. Retrieved January 16, 2016. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20060408154645/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/0D68CE06-1497-454A-9FBD-E9084D5A3B86.htm" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20060408154645/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/0D68CE06-1497-454A-9FBD-E9084D5A3B86.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>Long Haired Offender (April 10, 2006). "Review: Odama". GamePro. Archived from the original on September 2, 2006. Retrieved January 16, 2016. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20060902133858/http://gamepro.com/nintendo/gamecube/games/reviews/53240.shtml" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20060902133858/http://gamepro.com/nintendo/gamecube/games/reviews/53240.shtml</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:16"><p>Dodson, Joe (April 21, 2006). "Odama Review". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on September 8, 2015. Retrieved January 16, 2016. <a href="http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/odama" target="_blank">http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/odama</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:17"><p>Davis, Ryan (April 11, 2006). "Odama Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on January 24, 2015. Retrieved January 16, 2016. <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/odama-review/1900-6147488/" target="_blank">http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/odama-review/1900-6147488/</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:18"><p>Williams, Bryn (April 11, 2006). "GameSpy: Odama". GameSpy. Archived from the original on December 15, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2012. <a href="http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/odama/701217p1.html" target="_blank">http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/odama/701217p1.html</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:19"><p>"Yoot Saito's Odama [sic] Review Text". GameTrailers. April 11, 2006. Archived from the original on June 24, 2015. Retrieved January 16, 2016. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150624134900/http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/ubanqu/yoot-saito-s-odama-review" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20150624134900/http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/ubanqu/yoot-saito-s-odama-review</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:20"><p>Aceinet (May 4, 2006). "Odama - GC - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on March 15, 2008. Retrieved January 16, 2016. <a href="http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/odama_gc_review" target="_blank">http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/odama_gc_review</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:21"><p>Casamassina, Matt (April 11, 2006). "Odama". IGN. Archived from the original on February 26, 2013. Retrieved September 26, 2012. <a href="http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/04/11/odama" target="_blank">http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/04/11/odama</a> <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:22"><p>"Odama". Nintendo Power. Vol. 203. May 2006. p. 92. <a href="/wiki/Nintendo_Power" target="_blank">/wiki/Nintendo_Power</a> <a href="#fnref:22" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:23"><p>Modell, Josh (May 10, 2006). "Odama". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on May 11, 2006. Retrieved January 16, 2016. <a href="http://www.avclub.com/article/odama-9026" target="_blank">http://www.avclub.com/article/odama-9026</a> <a href="#fnref:23" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:24"><p>Schaefer, Jim (April 29, 2006). "Squash the Samurai". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on October 25, 2015. Retrieved January 16, 2016. <a href="http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060430/ENT06/604300319/1044" target="_blank">http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060430/ENT06/604300319/1044</a> <a href="#fnref:24" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:25"><p>"Best of 2006: Most Innovative Design (GameCube)". IGN. Archived from the original on January 10, 2007. Retrieved January 16, 2016. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20070110001254/http://bestof.ign.com/2006/cube/31.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20070110001254/http://bestof.ign.com/2006/cube/31.html</a> <a href="#fnref:25" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:26"><p>"Odama for GameCube Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on July 19, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2016. <a href="https://www.metacritic.com/game/odama/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube" target="_blank">https://www.metacritic.com/game/odama/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube</a> <a href="#fnref:26" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:27"><p>Riley, Adam (April 6, 2006). "Famitsu Rates Odama & Legend of Stafi". Cubed. Archived from the original on May 10, 2017. Retrieved January 16, 2016. <a href="http://www.cubed3.com/news/4880/1/nintendo-reviews-famitsu-rates-odama-and-legend-of-stafi.html" target="_blank">http://www.cubed3.com/news/4880/1/nintendo-reviews-famitsu-rates-odama-and-legend-of-stafi.html</a> <a href="#fnref:27" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:28"><p>"Best of 2006: Most Innovative Design (GameCube)". IGN. Archived from the original on January 10, 2007. Retrieved January 16, 2016. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20070110001254/http://bestof.ign.com/2006/cube/31.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20070110001254/http://bestof.ign.com/2006/cube/31.html</a> <a href="#fnref:28" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>