Nintendogs
What it is: An interactive game, kind of like Tamagotchi on steroids, that takes raising a virtual pet to a whole new level. It's played on the handheld Nintendo DS.
The game: The game isn't physical, but its level of interactivity is new. The basic idea is to raise and train a puppy, which you "buy" from a kennel. Like a real dog, each pooch comes with its own personality -- lovable, shy, feisty, and everything in between. But the secret to the game's appeal is the Nintendo DS interface, which has a touch screen, a microphone, and voice-recognition software. The result: Your child can make up and speak the puppy's name until the pooch responds to her call (but not yours). Tricks like sitting and rolling over can be taught through a combination of voice commands and "petting" the dog via the touch-screen. Though the pets don't age (or die), they do build skills, like playing Frisbee. They also eat, and figuring out how to feed them is a player's first challenge. Children under 5 will really want to play but won't be able to read the screen prompts. Bigger kids will know every in and out of the game long before you do.
Why it's cool: Kids love it, girls especially. The dogs are really cute -- they roll on their backs and want you to scratch their bellies, and if you pat their noses they'll sneeze. Some claim games like this teach kids about responsibility. Please. They'll treat their fake pooches like a king and still leave their rooms a mess. But it is charming and captivating (and portable -- can you say "car trip where at least one of the kids forgets to whine?").
Price: $30. Requires the $129 Nintendo DS. Buy it!
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