Kanken DS 2 Review

I should have known that the only way for kanji software to surpass Kanken DS was for Rocket Company to tag a "2" on the end and release a sequel. They managed to take everything that worked in the first game, and combined it with a few polishes to create a masterful title that is an invaluable study tool.

The main feature of the game is in preparing users to take the official Kanji Kentei, a test taken by millions of people in Japan and worldwide. The test is covered in the game by taking mock tests or reviewing sample questions.

There are two types of mock tests, a 15 minute quick test, and a 60 minute test that reflects the exact format of the real examination. These tests are great for gauging your ability within a certain level and fantastic practice if you plan on sitting the test in the future. The 15 minute test is useful if you're just going to kill some time on the train or when you want to take a break from work or other studying. The 60 minute version is a good "test-drive" before taking the official test as the scoring, format, and time limit are exactly the same. Unlike the original, Kanken DS 2 allows you to take any test at any time. This means you can not only test your knowledge of the basics but can also take a peek at the higher levels and more difficult questions.

When you're done testing your level, you can review old or new material via a huge selection of sample questions. These questions are split up by Kanken level and by topic. These topics include 読み取り(reading), 書き取り(writing)、部首(radicals), 音訓(on/kun reading), and more. While these are the same problems that appear in the tests mentioned above, these problems allow you to practice in sets. Say you want a set of reading problems from level 5. All you have to do is select "level 5" and then "reading". Once you've finished, you can check your score before heading on to your next set of questions. One of Kanken DS 2's best features comes up here. Any problems that you miss during a review set are stored by the game, allowing you to try them again at any time. They'll stay stored until you get them right, too, which is great for those tricky questions that you keep on missing again and again.

Sometimes I like to re-take the questions I miss immediately, but it's great to have the option of knowing I can go back a week later on a set of questions I totally bombed on, and check to see if I've made an improvement.

Kanken DS 2's biggest improvement is the inclusion of a kanji dictionary featuring the 1945 joyo kanji . You can access the dictionary from the main menu allowing you to search for a character by writing the kanji or the reading. The other awesome feature is that you can view the relevant dictionary entries whenever you miss a problem during a practice test or sample question set. This lets you immediately review a kanji or two (in the case of a compound) that you failed to answer correctly. The dictionary allows you to check the readings, radicals, stroke counts, and stroke orders of all the joyo kanji. Even though the dictionary doesn't contain definitions for the characters, it's still a fantastic tool for reviewing most of the information the Kanken tests you on.

When you're done testing and going through sets of problems, you can also relax with a generous collection of kanji-based games. The games give you a chance to show off your kanji prowess in a variety of challenges revolving around reading, writing, stroke order, radicals, and more. The radical game features ninjas. If that doesn't convince you to pick up the game, I don't know what will. There's also three games to unlock, adding to the fun.

The game also keeps track of your progress as you advance in levels and tackle each of the 44,000 problems featured on the game card. You can check how many problems you've cleared or how you're faring in the different testing areas at each level. In the first Kanken DS, your stats seemed to reset every now and then, rendering the feature useless. Luckily Kanken DS 2 picked up on the problem and always gives you an up-to-date, overall report.

I should also mention that input recognition is fabulous. It's probably one of the most accurate pieces of software on the DS. I have almost no problems inputting hiragana, katakana, or kanji. Almost any time the game detects the wrong character, it's a mistake on my part. Just be sure to watch your stroke order with the kanji! Writing out a character, no matter how perfectly, with the wrong stroke order will baffle the software. Some people complain about this, but I think it's a great way of forcing learners to buckle down and learn the stroke order--it's important.

The game is wrapped up in consistent production values and (fairly) decent music, making Kanken DS 2 a fantastic title all around. If you're looking for software to test your kanji skills from start to finish, then you're going to want to pick up this title.

And did I mention the kanji game featuring ninjas?

Pick up your copy here at Amazon.