GoPets Vacation Island

• System: Nintendo DS
• Game Type: Online Multiplayer
• Difficulty: Easy-Medium

• Pets are totally adorable!
• Lots of customization
• Connect with tons of friends online!

• Needs Wi-Fi connection for full experience
• Some menus are confusing
• Tiny graphics can be hard to see

Ever wondered what your pet would say if it could talk? Well you don't have to wonder when you're vacationing on the GoPets Island, because these pets have got a lot to say! Each pet has its own personality, and it will communicate with you and other pets as you chill, socialize and play games in the sun. There are tons of things to do on the island: you can decorate your home, get new outfits and accessories for your pet, and even personalize your passport picture. With a Wi-Fi connection, your pet can travel even further, meeting and interacting with the pets of other DS users. Get ready for a big adventure as you explore new areas, play games, throw parties and meet new friends!

Your pet communicates using a special picture-language called Iku. Little Iku bubbles will appear over your pet when they interact with another pet, or show you what they're dreaming about when they're sleeping. By watching what pops up in your pets' Iku, you can learn about their personalities and find out what they like. They're opinionated little furballs and they'll share what they're thinking - for instance, if you feed them something they will use Iku to let you know if they liked that particular food item! You can also use Iku to send messages to other users and read the Iku messages you receive in your mailbox. Once you've made some friends, they'll send you letters and gifts and you can send some back!

The best thing about Vacation Island (besides the overwhelming cuteness generated by tons of tiny pets!) is the variety of items you can collect. Items let you personalize everything from your pet's wardrobe to your home décor. As you play you'll get more items and you'll use shells as currency to make purchases from the shops. You'll find some toys out in the play area, but you can select more at the shops. Just place a toy into a play area and watch all the pets frolic and chase it!

You'll be able to unlock cool new places to visit on Vacation Island by getting the keys from new friends you make, so you'll want to make sure you talk to all of the islanders. The only real problem with the game is the tiny screen size; this makes it hard to tell what's going on when a lot of pets are in the same area. The game's jam-packed with features and menu items, but to fit everything onto the DS it's got to be on a really small scale. Interacting with the microscopic menus and teensy mini-games can be a bit of a challenge, but it'll sure help you practice your stylus precision!

With a Wi-Fi connection you'll be able to send your pet to explore a wider GoPets world. Take your pet to the Airport so they can go on a wandering adventure and find you some new friends! When your pet returns you can check their travel log to see where they've been and approve the new buddy requests they've received. You can also have other people's pets come to visit, or host a Wi-Fi party! You'll choose the party theme, design your invitations, and invite up to four guests to play with toys and eat yummy food. There's a whole world out there for your pet to explore, so pack your bags for Vacation Island!