 One of the fastest-growing collection crazes in recent history, the adorable
Zhu Zhu hamsters have gripped much of the world in their tiny paws, as millions
have succumbed to the charms of these fat-faced hamsters zipping about and right
into the hearts (and pocketbooks) of children everywhere. As you might
imagine, it wasn't long before the powers-that-be would recognize the genius of
matching these critters with a proper videogame, and that's exactly what fans
are getting with the release of Zhu Zhu Pets for the Nintendo DS.
That the game is big on cute shouldn't come as any surprise, and collectors of
all ages should find something to love in this age-appropriate release.
The main idea behind this game is to care for and
keep your Zhu Zhu happy. Starting out with just one is simple enough, but
as millions of parents around the world know by now, you’ll soon get more friends and even more games and things to decorate your little
furry cubbyhole. Youngsters enamored with the whole Zhu Zhu craze will
undoubtedly eat up the colorful settings and near-irresistible portrayal of
their bubbly little world. It's also an especially effective gaming primer, since you’ll have to
perform simple tasks when needed such as feeding, putting them to sleep, and
even help the hamsters use the bathroom.
These little guys don’t make the guesswork difficult and will express their
desires pretty bluntly; all that’s needed is a little drag and drop action with
the stylus. Clearly simplicity is the
appeal when failure is of no consequence, and even this somewhat basic package
should keep most fans (and their parents) entertained throughout.
Zhu Zhu Pets is divided between two main sections, Nurture and
Adventure. Nurture puts the welfare and happiness of your hamster in the
palm of your hands - literally. This area is much like your typical
virtual pet simulator, with the objective to simply manage the daily activities
of your pet, feeding and keeping it happy with extra treats like carrots and the
like. Adventure has your lovable critter venturing out into a series of
mazes, each filled with objects (such as coins, keys, and even baby hamsters) to
scoop up as they race through them. The game is controlled entirely with
the stylus, and a little bit of memorization and
hand-eye-coordination can go a long way, especially if you’re serious about
getting every gold medal and unlocking extra tidbits like new hamsters, and new
areas to explore.
It’s a simple formula that works well and doesn’t really need much
explanation, but that doesn't stop the game from trying to be as helpful as
possible - and maybe more. Oddly enough, the sugary voice that lives to give
help at every step may be a bit too accommodating for some, as she's prone to
literally explaining the obvious. While this is most likely for the
benefit of younger fans, the virtual hand-holding narrations quickly wear thin.
This is especially grating when you realize that some of the game's Adventure
portions require vocal cues, which means playing with the sound off (during
naptime, for instance) may not work out as you planned.
Another issue is the lack of connectivity between other DS consoles, meaning that the experience can’t be shared, an oddity if you consider how
potential interaction could’ve been had between friends and fellow Zhu Zhu
fanatics; a real shame indeed.
Frankly, if you or someone you love simply can't enough of the Zhu Zhu
Pets craze, this charming little DS game will easily fill the void you
never thought you had. With adorable graphics and easy stylus-based
gameplay, its easy to pick up, easy to play, and should be just the thing to
calm the hamster shakes when having the real thing (or in this case, the robotic
toy) isn't readily available. Small nitpicks like an overbearing helper
and the lack of connectivity between other DS consoles do keep this from being
the ultimate Zhu Zhu experience, but that probably won't matter to fans (and
their parents) who will likely enjoy having something adorable to take with them
on the go - even if it is digital.
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