Activision have announced Wappy Dog! “Already hailed by TimeForKids.com as “the best of the toy world and video-game world,” Wappy Dog teaches young gamers to raise their very own puppy in both the real and virtual worlds and teach it cool tricks, play mini-games together and even converse” (Activision)
So what is this wonderous thing? Another Nintendogs type thing? Oh no! I thought that at first but it’s actually a lot more! A whole robotic dog more in fact! :O
You get a physical Wappy Dog and the game for the DS, which includes a digital Wappy. You can play with either the virtual or actual dog by giving it commands via the Nintendo DS. Wappy will respond in ‘more than 350 evolving responses’, such as wagging his tale, barking or even dancing. A barked response will be translated on screen by the DS.
Wappy has five different mood states, and these are easy to identify even by young children, via his actions and changing colours. He can be kept happy by playing with him, and letting him win the games (he sulks otherwise).
There are two modes of play, ‘Home mode’ lets the player control the robotic dog, but ‘Travel Mode’ is also available. In travel mode the robotic dog bit stays at home and you play with Wappy Dog on the screen of your DS. On returning home both aspects sync up, so everything that has been learnt while away is passed to the physical dog too.
Both physical and digital dogs are customisable, which does raise the question of expense? Will add ons cost more? Especially the ones for the physical Wappy.
Wappy will be available ‘this holiday season’ 2011.
AliceInGamerland 