This cult-favorite has earned it's admiration.
Following mini game steps to make dishes is a strange and inexplicably wonderful phenomenon that has (to date) spawned 4 sequels between Nintendo's 2 platforms. The original Cooking Mama features the gameplay foundation on which each of the sequels were built on.
Mama is a happy-go-lucky cooking instructor with a think Japanese accent, who walks you through the paces of making exotic meals. The gameplay takes some getting used to, and each step of the series of operations will be scrutinized by Mama herself, but getting the proper culinary experience under you're belt won't take long. Any turmoil you may face while in the kitchen cannot stand up to the bliss that comes with a thumbs up from Mama.
This being the trial run for Mama, it doesn't quite reach it's full potential; anyone not quite won over by Mama should try the first sequel as well. Above all, the game (and the entire series, for that matter) shines with charm and can make even the grumpiest gamer smile.