 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Petz Horseshoe Ranch
- Nintendo DS
- Price: $29.99
- Genre: Simulation
Common Sense Media says
Horsing around is fun, but pet sim needs more fine tuning.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this virtual pet simulation is
generally a lovable game, especially for horse lovers. The game teaches about how to take care of a horse. But some of the touch screen
controls require harder touches than others to execute gameplay. And sometimes when two horses are
near each other, one seems to slide the other over as if the horse were on ball
bearings.
What's it about?
There are literally dozens of virtual pet games on the
market for both the Wii and the DS. In fact, Ubisoft's Petz series alone features everything
from monkeys to horses. In PETZ HORSESHOE RANCH, you're transported to a
country horse farm where you can adopt up to three horses to pet, love,
play, feed, and breed (no, you won't see them actually breed).
Most gameplay is accomplished via the DS touch screen,
including everything from petting to getting food to taking pictures of your horse. The
D-pad changes the camera views. Opening virtual doors allows you to move from
staple to kitchen to arena, where you'll enter your horses in various
challenges. You'll earn awards along the way, everything from t-shirts
to balls. If you have a cheat code, there's a place to enter it as well.
Is it any good?
The good news is that there's a lot to do in Horseshoe
Ranch. Simply petting your horse changes his mood and helps you to level up.
You can take your horse to an arena and engage in challenges like jumping for
which you'll get a small prize upon completion. You can dress your pet in
outfits, although this addition makes your horse cartoon-y. If
you have something to do like homework, you can let your pal play in the pasture
with one of the other horses and with one of the toys you've won. There are about a
dozen breeds, including the giant Clydesdales (originally from Scotland)and these breeds can be mixed to create new breeds.
But all is not perfect at the ranch. The graphics aren't as
finely tuned as in other simulations. When a horse gets too close to another
horse, one horse moves along the ground as if the equine had ball bearing
horseshoes. Once, one of my horses disappeared. He moved from the stable into
the kitchen because he was hungry; but I didn't see him leave, nor was I
alerted to his departure. Petz Horseshoe Ranch is a decent game, but it could
have used a little more time in development to tweak the bugs.
What families can talk about
Parents can talk about the various breeds and personalities
of the horses in the game. Do you prefer a horse who immediately likes you? Or do
you like the challenge of having to win over a horse before he becomes your friend? Why?
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AGE
Great game, I have 2 other versions
There is a dog version, cat version, monkey version, and of course, HORSE version. I have the monkeys and dogs. You do see them mate, but it isn't a serious sexual situation. But, you see them pounce on each other (h*mping), and look each other in the eyes and have a love connection. This is the way you try for a baby. Trying for a baby usually takes 30 minutes to an hour. You have to go through 4 stages to have one. Your pets have to be grown up to try for a baby, too. And, you don't know what the baby's gender, looks or personality will be, so don't complain if you wanted a girl and got a boy or something. when you first start the game, you half to choose a pet, then go to the park and try for a baby, and once you do that 5 times, wait for a bit, and then you will unlock the adoption center when you can get your OWN pets, and do what you want. It may be frustrating, because you have to take on FULL responsibility, and don't forget to SAVE YOUR WORK! Or esle you might have to start all over again for trying a baby. I love these games though, but not for young ones.
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Kid, 11 years old
June 11, 2010
AGE
Perfect
love it so fun love horses
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| Platforms: | Nintendo DS |
| Available online? | Available online |
| Genre: | Simulation |
| Developer: | UbiSoft |
| Release date: | February 2, 2009 |
| Price: | $29.99 |
| ESRB rating: | E for (No Descriptors) |
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