Pet Adoption Center
© 2008 Ubisoft, Inc.
A nice idea that could be better implemented, this is a one-player Sims-like game for the Nintendo DS that is sold only at Toys R Us. Your job is to run a pet adoption center by taking care of domestic animals, and eventually finding them homes. You must play with the critters and keep them fed, in order to keep their health and happiness meters high. Other jobs include meeting with visitors at front desk, sleeping in the lounge, and doing research on the office computer. You move around by touching a map, but it isn't always clear where you're supposed to go, or why. To feed a pet, you walk up to the cage, and a set of icons pops up representing food and water. But it isn't clear how to add food or water. Up to four games can be saved on the cartridge. Other design problems include a clock that is set to a 24 hour (EU) scale which could confuse USA kids, and the background music is repetitive, although it can be turned off in the options menu. Our tester, an animal lover, said, "If you like animals, you might like this game; although the beginning gets boring." Available in German, English, French, and Spanish, and created for Ubisoft by Tivola.
$30, Nintendo DS
Teaches: creativity, logic, reading, taking care of animals
CTR Rating: 66%