Wonder Pets!, The: Save the Animals!
© 2008 2K Play
This mixture of excessive narration, innovative input techniques (e.g., using your voice) and clumsy design features the Nickelodeon Wonder Pets: Linny the Guinea Pig, Ming-Ming Duckling and Turtle Tuck. After choosing one of the three game-save slots, children are asked to help with one of three challenges, by helping a Bengal Tiger, a Panda Bear, or a Chimpanzee in need. Along the way, they encounter one of 10 short challenges that involve dragging puzzle parts to a template, spinning a wheel with the DS stylus to open a trap door, exploring a dark screen to find hidden items, or speaking into the DS microphone to move a fly through a tube. While the activities are potentially fun, they are introduced with sugary narration that can't be interrupted. In addition, some of the games are didactic (one right answer), creating bottlenecks that may frustrate younger children. Finally, for some reason, the menus require some reading. Up to three games can be saved on the game cartridge. Bag it or borrow it. Created by Black Lantern Studios for 2K Play.
$20, Nintendo DS
Teaches: logic, following instructions, music, memory, fine motor skills
CTR Rating: 68%