Wappy Dog for Nintendo DS #GamersGiftGuide2011

• Wappy Dog engages gamers to raise their very own interactive puppy in both the real and virtual worlds and teach cool tricks, play mini-games and even converse! In Home Mode, communicate with Wappy via your Nintendo DS, and watch the physical dog react appropriately. In Travel Mode, interact with Wappy inside the Nintendo DSs virtual world.
• Every Wappy Dog experience is a personalized one. Give Wappy another name, customized both the in-game version and physical dog with different colors and accessories, choose from various environments and toys. You interaction with Wappy determines the dogs constantly evolving personality, skills and happiness, just like a real pet one that sings and dances that is!
• Unprecedented Level of Interaction:Wappy Dog develops strong emotional attachment through deep simulation and the real-world interaction of a physical companion Conversational prompts are answered with hundreds of evolving barked responses translated by the DS software
• Thanks to data exchange between the toy and game, the virtual and physical Wappy Dog share the same experiences
• The physical Wappy Dog cheers or cries, expressing mood through sound or movement based on how well Wappy is performing

My Thoughts on Wappy Dog for Nintendo DS:

This was a very different style of game for our household because most of the pet games available make a slightly girlie look to the packaging and marketing so the boys won't touch them.  But with a blue puppy and no real signs of 'girlieness" the boys instantly fell in love with Wappy Dog.  The two different modes allow you to play in very different ways.  My kids also discovered for me that you can play with Wappy even without your DS.
My boys have been pretty good in keeping their DS's nice but most other things in our house have a very short life so I was nervous about how Wappy Dog would hold up, but after several weeks of playing our Wappy is covered in stickers (included to personalize your dog) but otherwise still in perfect shape. The only issue we've had with Wappy Dog is the boys getting frustrated when they have the DS and are playing and the other two won't keep their hands of Wappy.  When they are playing together nicely it's great, if anyone doesn't cooperate, it gets ugly!  But overall this has been a hit in our household.  Even Dad has enjoyed playing with it with Bryan and he usually isn't into the kids games at all!


Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this game for review purposes. All opinions are my own honest, personal feedback.