Game Review: Hamsterz Life
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What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this is a good introduction to
simulation games for young kids. There isn't much educational
content in this cute pet simulation for owners of Nintendo's
DS, nor is there great depth of play. But young players will
enjoy it because it offers easy, non-frustrating play. Part of
its allure is the fantasy element -- the hamsters talk!
Parents can talk about the responsibility of caring for a real pet, and how the game demonstrates the basic needs of pets, including food, shelter, and attention. How is pretending to care for animals different? Is it a lot easier because the hamsters talk? How do real animals communicate their needs? Does this make taking care of real animals harder? Would you like to own a real hamster or do you like these talking ones better? If you have pets in your home already, how do you think they would get along with a gaggle of talking hamsters?
Common Sense Media Review
HAMSTERZ LIFE for the Nintendo DS is a new addition to
Ubisoft's popular pet simulation series that includes
Catz and
Dogz.
This game, produced by Digital Kids, is somewhat different from the other pet simulation games in the series. The simulation is less realistic and it includes mini-games and activities. And best of all -- these hamsters can talk!
Yes, these rather realistic-looking hamsters converse with their owners and even ask how they're doing. Players can talk back to them and teach them words and commands, which the hamsters will remember and apply. More words are introduced here and there as the game progresses.
Players begin by choosing a hamster. Once it's named, it will appear in a cage. Kids can then either train, feed, care for, or choose other options to interact with their hamster. Training is when English for Hamsters 101 commences. By speaking into the DS microphone, kids can teach the hamster simple words. After several times, the hamster will learn the word.
Toys, cage improvements, and decorations are available to add to the hamster's environment, but the choices are limited in the beginning of the game. However, by playing mini-games players can win points and use them to add more items to their inventory. You can tackle the seven colorful mini-games randomly throughout the game whenever you see a "play" icon at the bottom of the screen. These are simple, fun arcade-style games like breakout (a ball-bouncing game), memory, and a sliding puzzle.
On the whole, while Hamsterz Life doesn't offer the depth of play that Nintendogs does, this colorful, cute game isn't designed for that purpose anyway. Since the game appeals to younger kids, it would have been nice to include more challenging mini-games or a broader educational focus. But as an introduction to simulation games, Hamsterz works fine.
Other fun pet simulations include: Fish Tycoon and Nintendogs . A good TV show on pet care for the same age is Good Dog U .
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
