It was only three months ago that we reviewed Centerscore's Aquarium Pets, but we've since seen several fish tank maintenance games make their way to carrier download decks. This cloning phenomenon is equally prevalent in the PC and console arenas, but mobile's one- to three-month development cycle brings imitations to market much more quickly. Fishtank Frenzy is not entirely without merit, but its rigid mission-based structure and uninteresting gameplay make it a poor game.
You begin with a few dollars and a number of goldfish. These creatures become jaundiced when they're underfed and must be provided with food pellets, which can be launched using the 1, 2, and 3 keys. When your fish are full, they'll excrete magical coins out of unseen orifices. These must be retrieved with the 4, 5, or 6 keys, depending on the location of the monetary waste product. You can introduce larger fish into the mix, which will prey on the smaller of your goldfish. In return, they'll provide you with more valuable excrement. Specialty animals, like dolphins, can be used as pets and provide you with valuable services, like guppy creation. Unfortunately, Fishtank Frenzy starts you with a new default tank each mission. Without continuity from one mission to the next, emotional investment in your aquatic goldmine is impossible.
The game looks OK in motion, and some of the fish grow with each feeding. Fishtank Frenzy's graphics are probably its highlight. There's not much sound in the game, apart from a short calypso tune that plays over the splash screen. This isn't a huge problem, as fish care is generally a quiet activity.
Fishtank Frenzy just isn't enjoyable enough to sustain your interest for more than a few minutes. It's therefore a bad value and probably not a game you'll want to buy. If you're dying to take care of virtual fish, Aquarium Pets is still the superlative option.
