Ecco Jr. for Sega Pico (Japanese version)

Information

The Japanese version of Ecco Jr for the Pico, compared to the Genesis version, seems to be rather an educational game for Japanese children from ages 3 upwards to learn the English language. That's at least what I've understood on the website I found the information on (using an online translator of course :)
The Sega Pico is actually a learn computer for children, though I haven't ever played or even seen it myself, but I guess it's really just for the very youngest people and actually I don't care that much :|

Well, the story is just the same as on the Genesis: You are Ecco's Junior version and have to go on treasure hunting... And that's pretty much about it. The whole game seems to be more puzzle like, consisting of "Mini Games" which include counting and sorting out and stuff. I dunno, that's what it seems to be *shrugs*.
At least by guessing how far the abilities of the Pico might be, I don't think it's as fast and so smooth side scrooling as the Genesis version.

Further from what I've read there seems to be a Japanese speaker (the sound abilities have to be pretty good), who speaks those English words in bad or better quality, so that those little Japanese guys learn the English language very well :)

There seem to be 5 Main Mini Games which are set to the following topics:
1. Fish recognizing (something about comparing fish's color and size...?)
2. Helping a lobster build up a broken bridge...?
3. A cliff...? (don't ask me...)
4. A seesaw which is about using the weight of fish and using addition and stuff...?
5. Rock Shelf...? (something about calculing steps after an earthquake...?) Oo;;

As you see, this game seems to be pretty wierd, I guess in each Mini game you get several english words to learn, but the system seems is supposed to be poor.
Also the graphics are supposed to be poor, which you can also see partially in the screenshots.
Also, the game is controlled with a "touch pen", which seems to be really crap, since it makes you lose the feeling of actual "swimming" completely... And obviously, the thing is pretty hard to operate...

Well, what to say about this? The game is made for the kiddies out there, and not for the older guys, so I don't want to give out any more comments. Especially not until I've played that game myself (I see myself fail already... lol).

Anyway, here are some more pictures (yay!):

Information put together by PsySonic, source: http://www2.plala.or.jp/master_s/pico/mdrep/ecco/