CastleMouse for J2ME is a licensed conversion of the classic arcade game 'CastleMouse', which currently exists in browser based (Macromedia Shockwave plugin) and Mac and PC versions (see http://www.castlemouse.com). It is available for Nokia Series 60 and Series 40 based phones, and can be provided as a 25 level unlockable demo, or as a full 150 level version. Game help, hints for each level, and a "solve level" command are provided.
CastleMouse is a puzzle game in which the player has to add extra playing pieces to each level in order to solve it. The goal is to scare the mouse into the mousehole. This is done by placing other animals on the board in such a way as to ensure the mouse is scared into running towards the mousehole.
If a mouse finds itself next to a cat, it will run directly away from the cat. Similarly, cats are scared of dogs, dogs are scared of bears, bears are scared of lions, lions are scared of elephants - and elephants are scared of mice! Often the solution to a level is a complicated chain reaction, with many animals participating.
The animals on the board at the beginning of a level cannot be moved by the player. This is indicated by a small red triangle in the lower left corner of that animal's square. The animals provided at the side of the board can be picked up and moved onto the board in order to complete the puzzle.
Additional rules:
- Animals already on the board (and marked with a red dot) cannot be moved.
- If an animal passes its predator while both are moving, it won't be scared until it reaches the next full square.
- If an animal is next to two or more predators, it will be "scared stiff" and not move at all.
- If two animals collide, they bounce back to the squares they came from -- and so do any predators following them.
- If you get stuck, move the cursor of "hint" and press the action button. If you find yourself completely stumped, choose "solve".
Game Controls:
- To pick up an animal, move the green cursor over it using the arrow keys and press the 'action' button (This is in the center of the joystick for Series 60, or the left SoftKey for Series 40). Once picked up, move the animal using the arrow keys, and press the 'action' button to drop.
- To cycle the cursor around between the 'Go' button, the next animal available to be picked up, and the board itself, press the 'shortcut' button. (This is the left SoftKey for Series 60, or the '*' key for Series 40).
- To test your solution, move the cursor over the "GO" button at the top right and press the action key.
- To get back to the game menu, press the right SoftKey.
- Pressing the green 'telephone' button is the equivalent of moving the cursor over 'Go' and pressing the action button - the level will start to play immediately.