If you've always wanted to work in an ice cream store but hated to wear aprons or those silly little hats, then Scoop Kick! by developer Ryemanni Studios will satisfy your dairy thirst without getting your uniform all dirty.

Taking much of its gameplay design from the classics like Burgertime, Dig Dug, and Donkey Kong, Scoop Kick! takes you through seven unique worlds with over 30 intricate levels and a slew of unlockable characters, bonuses, and secrets to find. Suffice it to say, you'll get plenty of bang for your buck with this game.

Creamy Delight

The premise is fairly straightforward: you take the role of the lovable Ms. Cream, who along with her fruity friends, must take back all the ice cream that was stolen by the notorious ice cream bandit, Juice Bunch, and his minions. The story might sound simple as a rack 'em-stack'em type game, but it's a lot harder than it looks, especially in the later levels when the enemies become faster and start shooting chocolate chips at you.

Gameplay-wise, there isn't anything here that you probably have not played in the past. You start off running up and down ladders and crossing platforms while kicking down scoops of ice cream onto the awaiting cones below.

The premise sound easy enough if it were not for the fact that you're constantly being pursued by colorful little bad guys who probably taste as good as they look. With everything chasing you onscreen, It's a wonder how the FDA hasn't closed down the game for health violations.

Unlike in the original Burgertime where you had pepper to momentarily 'stun' your pursuers, Scoop Kick! employs a more run-and-hide approach that includes luring the enemies into position and crushing them beneath or against the weight of the ice cream in the same way you would crush the Pookas in Dig Dug. Also, you don't have to place the ice cream in any particular order, you just need to clear them all to advance to the next level.

Kick It, Don't Lick It!

Controls are simple, yet very intuitive and responsive, which is needed since quick and accurate movements are what is going to save your dairy behind from instant death. Get cornered between two bananas chasing you, for example, and you become the topping on their proverbial split.

Overall, Scoop Kick! is a great little gem for those looking for a quick fix in short sessions. The game has been out since February and I still boot it up regularly to play which is a testament to the game's overall appeal and addictiveness. This was especially true when my nieces and nephews stopped by during Spring break and were in awe of the game. Give it a try and I promise you that you will never look at ice cream the same way again.