My Baby: First Steps
© 2009 Southpeak Interactive
This follow-up to the My Baby virtual baby doll games lets you take care of a realistic onscreen baby (yes, you change diapers) from their 1st birthday until they're 30 months old. We especially liked the real child development landmarks embedded in the game. You begin by choosing whether you want a boy or a girl and then give your baby a name. Next, you can customize your baby with new items such as outfits, toys, and decorate their room. There are some differences between the DS and Wii versions, but in general, the experience is the same. With the DS version, you can use the microphone to talk to your baby, and taking a picture is easier thanks to the trigger keys. The goal is to help your baby develop by meeting his or her basic needs. If she cries (we had a girl), you take her to the nursery for a feeding or to change her diaper. You document growth by taking her picture, and keep her entertained by waving a rattle around by her head. Progress can be saved automatically. Growth is shown by a graph. You can also get realistic advice from a nanny, which includes real developmental milestones. For example, you learn a bit about natural language progression; facts that would be of use in any child care class. Made in France by Dancing Dots Studios for Southpeak Interactive.
$30, Nintendo DS, Wii
Teaches: child development, parenting responsibilities, Spanish, French or English
CTR Rating: 90%