Square Enix has announced its first move into the girls' market with Taito's My Pet Shop, which will be released in Q1 next year on DS.
The release also represents Square Enix's first move into the pre-teens marketin the West. The publisher has more of a history with casual games in the East, and even has a casual label in Japan – DS: Style.
John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix said: "My Pet Shop is our first game to be launched solely at a younger gaming audience.
"There is a huge appetite for good quality games that younger gamers can relate to. With its engaging storyline and enjoyable gameplay elements, we're optimistic My Pet Shop will be well received over here."
Players have to 'help run the best pet shop that Green Town has ever seen'.
The title features over 40 different animals, including dogs, pigs, pandas and bears.
GameInformer writes: "Apparently, in small towns even the animals are friendlier. All it takes to catch one of these wild beasts is a slow ''two steps forward, one step back'' approach and the occasional tasty treat. After moving out of the big city with your mom, you help her open a pet shop by capturing the hearts of the local wildlife. When you're not in the forest dancing with the animals, you're performing banal minigames to help your mom shampoo, comb, and train the town's pet population."
Game Revolution writes: "Its not a terrible game I've seen worse but I can't imagine playing it for more than 15 minutes at a time because you do the same thing over and over till you you get a tiny new addition like now I can brush the animals *yahootie!*..... You really never use much button pressing or any thing but aim and tap there's the occasional circle motion or back and forth but nothing innovative or surprisingly fun".
If your kids are looking for a pet simulator and you really aren't keen on a real animal, Nintendogs did it best. Go with the sure bet. My Pet Shop is probably one of the more boring pet-based games on the DS and an overall waste of time.
in shame.. ooooh how the mighty have fallen.