Paws & Claws Pet Vet
© 2007 THQ, Inc.
While this isn't the best example of design — by a large stretch — vet simulation for the Nintendo DS is important to note because it brings learning simulations to a handheld game platform, a genre previously reserved for Macs and PCs. After signing in (games are automatically saved), you are introduced to a small town, where you take over a vet clinic with just $500. Customers first arrive with sick rabbits or guinea pigs and later on with dogs or horses. You quickly learn that you don't have enough food or supplies to treat the animals correctly. Therefore, you must make a trip to town where you find a store, bank and a school where you can learn more about animals (all delivered through poorly designed multiple-choice tests). Unfortunately all feedback comes through poorly translated text, and no help is provided. So be prepared to fail. There is also a frustratingly hard-to-use riding simulation, where you can use voice commands to make your horse jump over fences. This could be fun if the controls worked better. If you have a very persistent child who doesn't mind struggling with clumsy menus, this program can work. We'll hope for a version 2.0 with a better design. Developed by Independent Arts Software and Denarious Entertainment Software for THQ.
$30, Nintendo DS
Teaches: caring, responsibility, logic, mathematics, planning, problem solving, economics, money, reading
CTR Rating: 78%