Webkinz Friends
© 2012 Ganz
Webkinz World has arrived on your iPad, but be prepared to part with some real money, unless you have a lot of time to wait. The app follows a familiar in-app sales formula -- let you in free, and then charge you for things you need, by way of in-app sales that range from $.99 to $99. You can adopt Webkinz pets and design their homes with furniture and decorations from the KinzMart. To earn money, you harvest plants and supply businesses in Kinzville, as you meet Ms. Birdy, Arte Fact and others. This sounds fun, but there's very little you can do until you buy something with real money; something we did not try. As a free download, the end result can be frustrating. As you play, you can earn virtual prizes that can be sent to active Webkinz accounts. The more you play, the more you can raise your Town Quality to unlock expansions and achieve bonuses. The currency is berries (like the Smurfs). You can plant and harvest Pickleberry, Jumbleberry, Sugarberry and Moonberry Plants and save the berries to send back to an active Webkinz.com account. You can also play with friends, visit their towns, and get help for your goals or adopt Webkinz toys on your iPad and Webkinz.com. Two important notes: This game does not connect to Webkinz Facebook or Webkinz.com towns. It does allow for you to send prizes back to any active Webkinz.com account. A network connection is required to play. The bottom line? This is one of those virtual worlds where you try to do something, but end up seeing a message like "Uh-oh, you don't have enough KinzGems to buy this!." In Webkinz Friends, money (real money) buys the fun.
iPad
Teaches: reading, economics, creativity
CTR Rating: 78%