My Baby 3 & Friends is very cute DS game which asks players to take care of a baby who is just entering the toddler stage of life, teaching various helpful hints along the way.

Although easy to play, the game makes nice use of many DS features such as the microphone for calling the baby’s name, or the shoulder buttons for “taking pictures” of the baby.  In general though, most gameplay and progression through the game can be completed by simply listening to or reading the onscreen commands and using the stylus to touch certain parts of the touchscreen.

The game begins by asking players to name their baby, identify whether they are the mommy or daddy, and even choose the color of the baby’s skin, hair and eyes.  Once the baby is named, the game’s “nanny” helps teach players many of the basic mini-games that are used to help keep the baby happy.

There’s a fun selection of mini-games and ways to interact with the baby, including tickling the baby, helping the baby play, taking the baby to the park, feeding, changing diapers and more.  And what’s more, many of the activities actually have an accompanying overall lesson about baby-care that goes with them, such as the importance of positive attention for babies, and the need to put away toys when you’re done playing with them.

My Baby 3 & Friends is a very cute game that even younger kids can play and enjoy along with their parents.  The game could actually be a nice way to introduce babycare lessons to kids who may soon be big brothers or big sisters.  We think it’s a great game for young girls, or even boys with a caring, maternal instinct.