November 2008 Notable Toys — Video Games

Legacy Interactive’s award-winning "Pet Pals: Animal Doctor" is now available for the Nintendo Wii. It gives animal lovers and aspiring animal doctors the chance to assume the role of a veterinarian. The simulation videogame is comprised of 30 true-to-life medical cases where players treat and nurse all the adorable animal patients brought in for minor problems like sunburn, cuts and infections, to more serious ailments, such as diabetes, tumors and snakebites. Launch date: November 11, 2008.

Legacy Interactive’s award-winning "Zoo Vet: Endangered Animals" is also available on Nintendo DS. Kids can test their skills as an animal doctor in this fun and educational vet simulation. Using the stylus, they give check-ups, treat major and minor illnesses, and even perform surgeries. Emergencies sometimes arise and players must act fast or risk losing a life. Zoo Vet will tug on heartstrings, prompt laughter, and challenge the mind. Launch date: November 11, 2008.

Kids can perform surgeries and nurse all the rescued animals back to health. There are more than 30 different animal cases, derived from practicing veterinarians that range from a drooling rabbit to emergencies involving a dog who has been hit by a car or a kitten who has swallowed a piece of string. Kids will heal and nurture these animals, along with 15 other breeds of dogs, cats, rabbits and exotic animals such as chinchillas and macaws. Launch date: October 22, 2008.

Based on the hottest selling video game of the season, "Guitar Hero," this collection features 6" scale articulated figures that each come with a character-specific guitar. The line-up includes Lars Ümlaut, Johnny Napalm, God of Rock and Axel Steel. Launch date: October 30, 2008.

PREMIER is a powerful and versatile version of Piano Wizard. Designed to help anyone learn to play the piano, and also includes a keyboard allowing for learning and playing anywhere. PREMIER includes Easy Mode and Jam Mode, as well as many other features and challenges.  PREMIER comes with 200 songs, and gives players unlimited access to thousands of additional songs, allowing players to learn songs they want to play. This package contains the PREMIER software (compatible with Mac and PC) and color-coded, removable, and washable stickers to mark the keys on the keyboard for faster learning.

PREMIER is a powerful and versatile version of Piano Wizard. Designed to help anyone learn to play the piano, and also includes a keyboard allowing for learning and playing anywhere. PREMIER includes Easy Mode and Jam Mode, as well as many other features and challenges.  PREMIER comes with 200 songs, and gives players unlimited access to thousands of additional songs, allowing players to learn songs they want to play. This bundle contains the PREMIER software (compatible with Mac and PC), keyboard, a USB cable to connect the keyboard to the computer, and color-coded, removable, and washable stickers to mark the keys on the keyboard for faster learning.

PREMIER is a powerful and versatile version of Piano Wizard. Designed to help anyone learn to play the piano, and also includes a keyboard allowing for learning and playing anywhere. PREMIER includes Easy Mode and Jam Mode, as well as many other features and challenges.  PREMIER comes with 200 songs, and gives players unlimited access to thousands of additional songs, allowing players to learn songs they want to play. This package contains the PREMIER software (compatible with Mac and PC), Suzuki keyboard, a USB cable to connect the keyboard to the computer, and color-coded, removable, and washable stickers to mark the keys on the keyboard for faster learning.

PREMIER is a powerful and versatile version of Piano Wizard. Designed to help anyone learn to play the piano, and also includes a keyboard allowing for learning and playing anywhere. PREMIER includes Easy Mode and Jam Mode, as well as many other features and challenges.  PREMIER comes with 200 songs, and gives players unlimited access to thousands of additional songs, allowing players to learn songs they want to play. This bundle contains the PREMIER software (compatible with Mac and PC), keyboard, a USB cable to connect the keyboard to the computer, and color-coded, removable, and washable stickers to mark the keys on the keyboard for faster learning.

A cross-platform MMO game, Freaky Creatures allows players to build the ultimate, customizable creatures and then battle them against friends. The Freaky Creatures experience begins with a starter pack that includes 2 action figures and a 1 gigabyte reusable flash as the key to the Freaky Creatures universe with a random assortment of 50 parts, 20 powers and 4 lair objects that allows players to create more than 3 billion visual combinations. Booster packs add more to the customization. Once customized, players can enter the online world and interact with other players.
— Freaky Creatures bills itself as “the first player-customized, cross platform gaming universe you can take on the go.” Do such grandiose claims match the product itself? In short, no, but this does not mean Freaky Creatures should be ignored. Each starter pack contains two of the titular creatures rendered in action figure form along with a flash drive that unlocks a MMOG with exploration, character customization, and a simple battle system. Reviewers report the figures are nicely detailed and painted, especially for their size. KidsTechReview.com proclaimed the game “surprisingly well done.” Jacqueline Rupp of Common Sense Media recommended the toy for children ages 10 and up (not the advertised 8+), praising the online component for delivering fun game play while avoiding violence and adult content. With irresistibly grotesque figures and a solid online game experience, Freaky Creatures has genuine appeal. It’s not for everyone, but it can be used to reach older boys who spurn tamer and more traditional toys.