Players can explore their creative side while applying real world activities in this intriguing game set for the Nintendo DS and Nintendo Wii game consoles.

My Virtual Tutor

The “My Virtual Tutor” series teaches reading to pre kindergarten to second grade kids in a special sideways, touch screen format. In the reading version (kindergarten to first grade), players read book in the library mode and interact with phonics games and quizzes. Instructional content stresses rhymes, beginning letters and sounding out words while featuring increasing difficulty levels as players progress. The tutor provides all ages instruction with a clear, appealing voice. Players can also record their own voice, so any one can hear a special, personalized play back at any time. Pre-kindergarten to kindergarten and first to second grade versions also available (***, Nintendo DS, rated E).

Style Lab: Jewelry Designer (UbiSoft)

This Nintendo DS exclusive game lets players design jewelry using beads, charms and pendants then order a design for real and get it sent right to their door. Players work to impress characters in the story mode as a recent design school graduate. This mode also unlocks new designs and materials for the free play design mode. The jewelry design involves choosing the jewelry length, then assembling materials using a template and finishing with a connecting clasp. Developers utilize the Nintendo DS capabilities well including easy drag-and-drop movements using the stylus pen with Wi-Fi sharing, uploading and browsing options plus fun actions like swiping the touch screen to keep dust off shop displays. They also incorporate a Nintendo DSi camera feature to take a picture then line up the jewelry to see how it looks (***1/2, Makeover also available in the Style Lab series, rated E).

Style Savvy (Nintendo)

Players become full fledge stylists with interactive shops and thousands of fashion choices. Item creations and boutique customizations combine with social elements and boutique store management for an extremely detailed and satisfying experience. Players create outfits for themselves and their customers using imaginary brands, which

Budgets while the fashion elements expand into the cosmetics department and hair salons. Variety and trend tips help players build their boutiques quickly and the common sense touch controls make actions very quick and accurate. Browse other boutiques or visit trade shows for even more inventory options. Two to four players can join in with others (each must have the game) online via Wi-Fi to access and create online “Style Cities”. Business savvy players would have loved more than one save file to make learning transitions better while saving important progress. Special customer fashion makeovers add to an already high replay value (****, Nintendo DS, rated E).

Food Network: Cook or Be Cooked (NAMCO Bandai)

Cook or be cooked

This mess free food environment has great real world applications, including 30 real recipes and various tips/recommendations. The Next Food Network Star judge Susie Fogelson and Food Network Kitchens chef Mory Thomas guide players through the experience. Players can use remote and nunchuk when cooking co-operatively (up to four) or competitively (up to two players on a split screen). Achievements like high scores and medals are tracked through up to 12 special slots or “tokens”, so players can multitask easily while experiencing great variety (***, Nintendo Wii, rated E for alcohol reference).

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009 at 11:30 am and is filed under Arts and Life, Video games.
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