Zhu Princess: Carriages & Castles is an easy-to-play game for Nintendo DS that relies on the successful “point-to-move” formula of previous Zhu Zhu Pets DS games, but this version is designed to appeal more to girls.
This game is very similar to previous DS games Zhu Zhu Pets and Zhu Zhu Pets 2 featuring the Wild Bunch. http://www.familyfriendlyvideogames.com/ZhuZhuPets2FeaturingTheWildBunchDS http://www.familyfriendlyvideogames.com/ZhuZhuPets The game starts by letting the player select one Zhu Zhu Pet to learn to take control of and care for. Once inside the Zhu Zhu Pets home, you’ll learn the basics of caring for your Zhu Zhu pet, such as helping them exercise, feeding them, giving them water, or letting them have a teddy bear.
Players can drag their Zhu Zhu Pets to different areas of the room, such as the exercise area, sleeping area and bathroom, and also take them to the trophy icon, to participate in what are essentially little mazes to earn more upgrades for your room, unlock levels, and eventually earn more Zhu Zhu pets. Everything is explained via voice over as well as text, so even kids who can’t read will be given some direction.
The Zhu Zhu Pets are controlled by pointing the stylus at the screen, and it’s actually simple enough that even toddlers can do it. The mazes are easy to control, and can be played through either as quickly as possible, or players can take their time and try and collect ever item possible. In the mazes, players will encounter all sorts of obstacles, ramps and cool power ups. In Zhu Zhu Princess: Carriages & Castles, many of the power-ups items and overall look-and-feel of the game are designed to appeal to girls.
The first levels are fairly simple, without much choice in where to go, but as the game progresses, the levels become bigger, more colorful, and more complex. As they advance through the game, players will also earn upgrades to the items in their room, more Zhu Zhu pets to be able to use, and also discover Zhu Zhu babies scattered throughout the levels.
Like previous games in the series, Zhu Zhu Princess: Carriages & Castles is easy-to-play and a great game for young kids and even toddlers who are familiar with how to control a DS with the stylus. In an effort to make this game appeal to girls more, the overall look and feel of the game is very pink, and items that can be collected include rainbows, hearts and “lovey” items. Sure, young boys who like Zhu Zhu Pets will still like it, but it’s clearly catered towards girls. Although a single-player game, it is possible for parents to play together with their kids by watching them play, or potentially passing the DS back and forth.
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In ZhuZhu Princesses: Carriages & Castles, ZhuZhu fans will become hamster royalty and go on a quest through all new locations and mazes to find Prince Dashington and his majestic castle. Players will explore with their old friends, Patches, NumNums, Pipsqueak, Jilly, Nugget, Peachy, and Pinky, as well as new friends, Princess Snowcup and Prince Dashington, dressing them up in outfits and accessories fit for a royal family! With more than 40 levels to explore and hamsters to care for and dress up, ZhuZhu Princesses: Carriage & Castles will fulfill players’ royal fantasies.