Therapy 'Games' Coming for Nintendo DS
They keystone of this suite is the company's existing 'Petz' series, which lets gamers take care of virtual pets ala Nintendo's hugely popular 'Nintendogs' series. 'Petz' currently includes domestic animals like 'Dogz,' 'Catz,' 'Horsez,' and even 'Hamsterz,' but more are coming. The company hopes to add wild animals like dolphins (dolphinz?) and tigers (tigerz?) to the mix, giving gamers a taste of something a little more exotic.
Ubi also has a suite of "Imagine" games coming out for the Nintendo DS aimed at girls aged 8-14 that will let them get a (limited) feel for what it's like to be a fashion designer, chef, animal doctor, or even figure skater.
Finally there's another new franchise called 'My Coach.' These games take their inspiration from Nintendo's successful 'Brain Age' franchise, purporting to improve your smarts, but focusing on specific areas. The first will be a series of 'My Word Coach' games available initially in English, Spanish, and French for Nintendo's DS and Wii. These games will help you to boost your vocabulary through a series of games and challenges, including some surprisingly fun multiplayer ones.
Coming later will be 'My Life Coach,' described as "your own personal Dr. Phil." Details are scarce on that one, but here's hoping they come up with a better description than that before launch, because we can't think of anyone more likely to scare away gamers.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Spavelous @ Jul 17th 2007 3:42PM
While games have a time and a place, it is important that children or adults alike have balance in their life. It is great that we can perhaps try on different occupations, or even learn foreign languages. We are human beings after all, and nothing can replace the healing hands, the interactions with others and the elimination of stress that one experiences at a spa. If you desire to dream and escape, do so at the spa or use games that encourage biofeedback to improve your health. (URL removed, please no spam!)
Carol @ Jan 1st 2008 9:24AM
I think the idea of the games is wonderful; I do believe mind games helps to keep us sharp -- however, I have no desire nor need for all the fancy electronic gadgets (IPODS, Nintendo,etc) and I am sure other's don't either, so why not make these games available online? Handhelds are nice for those who desire them, but I have enough junk as it is and would never buy any of the hand-held gadgets.
momma @ Jan 1st 2008 10:10AM
i thought you said it was a game for seniors ?