I’ve actually talked about and review the Nintendo DS games Nintendogs and MyBaby games before, but I’ve decided they need to be talked about in a combo review.  If you’ve ever talked to a young (or older, for that matter) person who is talking about having a baby or getting a puppy, but a part of you just isn’t sure they’re ready, suggest they play these games.

In fact, it is my firm belief that all schools should invest in the DS to have on hand in classes with these two games, especially the MyBaby game.  Instead of having teens carry around a ‘Betsy Wetsy’ doll or whatever they do to show what parenthood is like, set time aside in class for the kids to play this game.

MyBaby

I tested out MyBabyBoy for the Nintendo DS.  You can actually check out MyBaby Villiage online and test the game out for yourself.  I have to give this game credit, it’s accurate as can be.  You first create your baby.  Eye/Hair/Skin color and name.  Then, you’re taken through the stages of life with help from a Pediatrician and a guide, who talks to you about what to look for and how to help the baby mature.

As a mother of a 3 1/2 year old and a 9 month old, can I just say I feel like I have a third child!?  This baby pees, poops and cries.  You have to feed him without giving him gas, wipe his butt in the right direction to prevent contanimation and make sure he doesn’t drown when you give him a bath.

This game teaches young children how to respect and care for babies and I think would be a great learning tool (or in the case of a teenager or someone in their early 20′s, a reason NOT to have kids!)  I love my little baby boy.  I take him for walks in his stroller, careful to stop for the sights he likes and rush past the things that scare him.  I cuddle him, help him learn to crawl and blow on his food (literally, it has you blow on the game) before I spoon feed him.

Of course, I have my own 9 month old to do these thigns with, so I usually have his big brother play the game with my help.  Jake’s not so good at putting the sponge down and pulling the baby up by his armpits before he slides under, so he usually needs my help.

If you’re a mother with a teenage girl, GET THIS GAME.  If you require her to play it for an hour a day, I GUARANTEE she’ll practice abstinence, or at the very least safe sex.  Parenthood is a serious undertaking, not to be taken lightly.  With the realism of MyBaby, young couples and teens who think they’re ready to embark on this journey might think again after playing this!

Nintendogs

I am a hardcore animal lover.  I’ve spent my life volunteering at zoos and shelters helping rescue animals.  Problem is, I’m highly allergic to dogs so most of my rescues have been cats.  I have to wash my hands after petting my own dog or I’ll break out in hives.

That said, when I got my hands on Nintendogs, I was pretty much addicted.  My favorite dog is the Lab, and you need about 40000 Trainer points to get one in the version I got to test, so I was determined to get there.  I have 2 German Shepherds and a Golden Retriever.  My toddler named them Jacob, Joshua and Spiderman.

These dogs are trained through voice commands.  You teach your dog any trick you can think of, starting with the basics (sit, lie down, shake, etc.)  You can take your dogs for walks (the more walks you take, the farther you can go) and if you’re really good to your dog, he/she’ll retrieve gifts for you!

You can win money from disc championships, Trainer challenges and Obstacle courses and use that money to adopt other dogs, buy things at the store (I like to shop at the discount store while I walk my dog, you can find great deals and I’m a frugal ruler), and upgrade your dogs apartments.

If you ignore your dogs, you’ll come back to a very filthy, flea ridden beast that you’ll have to scrub and brush to get sparkling clean.  Be sure to check its status to see if it needs food or water, too.  This is a great game for someone like me who is allergic.  Granted, you can’t actually wrestle and play with a real dog, but these dogs love you and know your voice.

I’ve gotten to where I bring my DS everywhere and care for both my Baby boy from MyBaby and my 3 dogs from Nintendogs.  I got busy over the holidays and neglected them (which none of them are pleased with) so I haven’t gotten enough trainer points for the Lab I want.

When I get the Lab, I’m naming him Tribute after my own dog.  I’m hoping that I can get a shot with my Flip camera from Newbaby.com of my Nintendog and my actual dog doing the same trick at the same time.  At the very least, it’ll be funny watching my real dog respond when I’m playing with/calling my Nintendog!