It’s well-known that searching certain keywords on Google can reveal some delightful surprises.
This time, I tried out a genuine browser game you can play via Google Search: 'Doodle Champion Island Games.'
Note: This article is a translation of an article written in Japanese. Therefore, all the languages in the captured images are Japanese. English translation is provided in the caption.
What is 'Doodle Champion Island Games'?
'Doodle Champion Island Games' is a browser game released in July 2021 to commemorate the 2020 (actually held in 2021) Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.
The game features seven sports events, crafted in a retro style reminiscent of old Japanese settings. The opening scene includes an animation video for the first challenge of each event, showcasing a level of detail that is impressive for a free game.
To start playing, simply search for "Champion Island Game" on Google. The play icon will appear at the top of the search results. Click on it, and you’ll be taken to the game screen.
This article uses screenshots from the PC version, but the same steps apply for playing on a smartphone.
The Protagonist is a "Ninja Cat"! Competing in a Japanese-style Olympic Venue
In the opening, the player character, "Lucky," arrives at the destination by boat. True to the popular overseas image of Japan, Lucky is a brave ninja cat.
Upon landing, the control instructions are displayed. On PC, you use the keyboard, while on a smartphone, game-specific buttons will appear.
Walking straight down the path, you’ll see a torii gate and what looks like a ping pong table. This appears to be the first event.
Before each event, the rules and controls are explained. The game is very straightforward, so you can just start hitting and controlling without much thought. And so, the competition begins.
“Wait, they have a pair while I’m solo? That’s not fair!”
Though surprising at first, the opponents are beginners, and the match is quickly over. Despite my limited experience in ping pong, it was an easy win.
It seems the ping pong event was a tutorial stage, as retrying was not possible despite multiple attempts to interact. Moving on for now.
Recruiting Members! Four At-Home Teams
You arrive at the central plaza where four animals are waiting. Let’s check the bulletin board.
The scores for four teams are displayed. It seems you need to apply to join one of these teams. Since the red team’s score stands out, I decided to join the red team.
Talking to the leader, a bird (apparently a Yatagarasu), confirms your intent to join. There’s no pressure to join right away, so you can talk to all the teams before deciding.
Upon officially joining, you are welcomed and given your first task: to find and defeat the legendary champion.
"Joining the Olympic team, my first task is already a tough challenge."
Sounds like a light novel title, but I was genuinely surprised. Such a tough task right from the start!
Although just joined a team with six more events left, this article is getting lengthy, so I’ll stop here for now. The game uses a simple auto-save system, allowing you to continue from where you left off as long as the cookies aren’t deleted.
An Impressively Detailed Free Game: Immerse Yourself in the Olympic Spirit
'Doodle Champion Island Games' is quite a well-crafted browser game considering it’s completely free. Despite the ups and downs, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics have concluded, but this game allows you to relive the Olympic spirit anytime.
I’ve only played one event so far, but I plan to cover the rest in future articles.
