Disney Friends

$30, Nintendo DS

Teaches: logic, strategy

CTR Rating: 60%

CTR Review

If you have the time, this one-player game for the Nintendo DS could be fun. But the print is hard to read, and the program keeps you jumping through hoops in order to reach a sometimes confusing goal. Our testers had strong opinions of this title -- some loved it (those that had it for a long time and had little else to do), but most hated it, noting that it is a confusing and frustrating game.The game uses the touch screen and microphone features, so you can "talk" to Disney characters such as Stitch, Dory or Simba to keep them happy. They can use the stylus to drag and drop a sandwich to keep the hunger meter down and collect pins for good care. The game operates in real time, using the DS clock to know if it is day or night, or if a holiday is approaching. This aspect of the game is fun, but it takes a long time to figure out, and the navigation is confusing.According to the PR materials, the game "encourages nurturing and reinforces positive values such as caring and responsibility, while fostering players� friendships with the film characters they already know and love." Two of our testers stated that the game nurtures only frustration. One game can be saved on the cartridge at once, although there is a game sharing mode that we did not test. Unless you know a lot about this game, purchase with caution, if at all. Created for Disney by Amaze Entertainment.