I knew that this was going to be a hit long before we got a Botley in our hands. We did a review for My First Adventures, another Jump Start toy and when we did that we had a chance to see Botley. Lil B wouldn’t stop talking about him. “Look at that Robot!” “Hey, who is that Robot, I want that!” So, naturally when we received it I was incredibly excited because I knew how much fun he was going to have with the “real Botley.

The first thing you notice is just how cool this robot looks. Botley is a cute toy. Lil B was hoping that it would be able to walk around and follow his commands and though it can’t (I knew that it wouldn’t be able to), once he got over that he had plenty of fun. Most stores have labeled Botley as being perfect for three to five year olds and I have to admit that surprised me a little bit.

While this age range will absolutely adore Botley, they will need some help learning to use him and parents will too, with a distinct possibility that some reading is required to get him working. Meanwhile, the manufacturer recommends Botley for ages four and up. After watching Lil B I would say this is good for kids between the ages of four and possibly eight. I don’t think kids older than eight or nine would find much enjoyment in Botley, though that will depend on the child.

Still, beyond younger kids needing a little help using him initially, there is nothing wrong with Botley. Kids love him and adults will enjoy the fact that this toy is relatively inexpensive while offering plenty of safe and friendly activities. Kid Designs is quickly becoming one of the most popular choices for us to find Lil B safe and fun toys in his age range.

Positives & Negatives:

Positives:
Great for kids that love robots
Non-violent
Works well for solo or group play
Good for boys or girls
Educational
Challenging
Inventive
Promotes learning and independence
Movable head and adjustable arms
Fairly priced

Negatives:
Might be too challenging for younger kids
None other that I can think of

Pricing & Availability:
The Jump Start World Growing Smart Laugh with Me Botley is priced at $39.99 at stores like Toys R Us, Amazon, and just about everywhere else that I have looked. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding this. I haven’t looked locally, but I bet if I did I would find it. If you live in an average to big city I am sure that you won’t have any problem finding it either. If you cannot find it, Botley seems to be well stocked online so that is always another option.

Based on the toy and all that it can do, I would have no qualms about paying $40 for this. While $40 seems like a lot these days, it is obvious that Botley is durable enough and fun enough to ensure that it is worth the purchase. Ultimately, you’d buy any other toy of similar function and size as Botley for around the same price, if not for more.

Requirements & Instructions:
The only requirement to get Jump Start World Growing Smart Laugh with Me Botley working out of the box is a set of batteries, which are included when you purchase this toy. Both kids and parents should enjoy the fact that you can work this toy right out of the box. We didn’t have any problems getting him going. Lil B did need some help when it came to figuring out how to use Botley. This is mainly because a little bit of reading is required and he cannot read yet. However, once he figured out how to handle Botley it was smooth sailing from there.

Durability:
Jump Start World Growing Smart Laugh with Me Botley is pretty sturdy for the most part. It’s not something so flimsy that it’s going to break, but I don’t recommend throwing this around for fun either. It’s made of hard plastic, but it’s relatively lightweight so you will want to watch it if your child is kind of rough on their toys. Otherwise, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. It should be able to handle any basic drops and accidents without any problem.

Ease of Use:
We went through the instructions to learn how to use the buttons and the remote, but once we knew exactly what to do things were just fine. If your child is not able to read you might want to use this with them, at first. Once they have basic reading skills or become familiar with some of the various games they won’t have any problem playing this on their own. The games and activities vary, but there are at least 30 things that kids can enjoy with Botley.

Some of these games and activities will be more popular than others, but there are plenty of options to enjoy. The first time using Jump Start World Growing Smart Laugh with Me Botley will definitely be the hardest. After that, it will just be a matter of your child becoming familiar enough that they no longer need your help to enjoy him. Additionally, if your child has an older brother or sister, this might be a good activity for them to enjoy together.

Fun Factor & Overall Appeal:
Jump Start World Growing Smart Laugh with Me Botley managed to be fun on it’s own without even working for quite a few minutes. Lil B squirmed until we got Botley out of the box and then he moved him around the floor and did the Wall-E robot voice for quite some time. After we got it started we did some of the activities. He enjoyed the math games and quizzes the most.

Kids are able to cure Botley’s computer bugs by answering questions and Lil B loved this. He also enjoyed being able to move Botley’s head and seeing his eyebrows and mouth move when it did. Lil B would play a game or two and then he and Botley would go to someone else in the house, so that he could play with them.

When he plays with Botley in his room, I have peeked in to find him talking to Botley while he plays one of the activities. It’s more than just a game or a robot. To Lil B, Botley is a friend. When we use Botley, I find that Lil B uses the remote more so that he can stand Botley up and doesn’t have to hold him while playing the whole time.

This is one of his favorite toys that he received around the holidays. I’ve seen him quite a few times since then and he always seems to have Botley with him. While we received Jump Start World Growing Smart Laugh with Me Botley for review, I would have been more than happy to purchase it as it’s one of his favorite toys!

Bottom Line:
Jump Start World Growing Smart Laugh with Me Botley is one of the best preschool toys that we tested in 2008. It is educational, fun, friendly, and it’s a robot! Young children love this robot and I can’t say that I blame them. This is a fairly priced toy that offers plenty of activities. It’s durable, relatively easy to use, and young children just love Botley. The important thing though is that they learn while they play with him. If you want your child to practice their upcoming school subjects and brush up on their skills, Botley will befriend them and help them to learn in the most fun way possible!

Price: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Durability: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Ease of Assembly: 5 out of 5 stars
Fun Factor: 5 out of 5 stars
Child Readiness: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Lasting Appeal: 5 out of 5 stars
Overall Rating: 4.75 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: Jump Start World Growing Smart Laugh with Me Botley, KidDesigns, Educational, Electronics, Robot, Toy Review

LI Kids actually posted this review earlier in the year though as this would be a suitable Christmas option, we decided to dig it up and repost it. Look for our other toy reviews for some fun Christmas options for the kids!

We reviewed the Leapster 2, which is for younger kids and now we’re looking at the Didj. The Didj is absolutely perfect for the child that has grown some in age and is no longer interested in the Leapster or Leapster 2 handheld games. The age range here is from 6-7 to 10-11 years old. It is smaller, sleeker and set up to appear more like a PSP or a Nintendo DS. Still, it offers more educational options and less of the blood and gore that you would find with one of these other systems.

Sure you could go pick up a Nintendo DS and find family friendly titles (easier than opting for a PSP), but being family friendly and educational are two different things. If you find your child struggling with math or spelling this could be an excellent way of getting them interested in the subject and learning how to understand these subjects. The Didj is a safer alternative for young children who like the idea of video games, but are still too young for some of the graphic elements of game play. By keeping it educational, Leap Frog ensures that your children have a purpose for playing and even though it’s fun, they are learning something, in the process.

We have paired this review with the game that we received with the system. Nicktoons Android Invasion is one of many games that you can purchase for the Didj system. Kids can play as Spongebob, El Tigre, or Danny Phantom. The goal is to use math (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) to stop Invader Zim and all of his robots from taking over the world! This game will remind adults of the old school games that they used to play on their Atari, but for what it costs it’s not a bad game. If you’re looking for something that breaks new ground, this won’t be for your child, but if you want something to help them brush up on their math skills without them having to do homework or more worksheets then this game would be perfect for them!

Positives & Negatives:

Positives:
Educational
Entertaining
Kid Friendly (they can operate and play on their own)
Good for Solo or Multiple Child Play
Reasonably Priced Games
Sparks Creativity
Suitable Option for Older (but not Fully Mature) Children
Safe Interactive System

Negatives:
Not a Big Fan of the Computer Interface

Pricing & Availability:
When I first reviewed the Didj it was brand new and had been released for $90. I reworked this review slightly to reflect the current price of $65. At $90 I had some issues that this was just too expensive. However, in the $65 range I am much more satisfied. I do not know how much, if any, this system has dropped in major or minor stores around the country. This particular price comes from Amazon.com.

The games vary, though at the time of the original review, Android Invasion was retailing for $30 and now it’s just over $21. The moral of this story is that if you have been holding off buying the Didj, now is the perfect time to pick one up. It would make a great Christmas gift and it’s not going to break your bank.

Requirements & Instructions:
Unlike the Leapster 2, the Didj does require a small amount of parental work before the kids can get to playing. The first thing you need is four AA batteries. Once those are installed (they are not included in the package) you will need to set up the system so that your kids can use it. There is a pamphlet in the box that will walk you through all of the instructions involved in this set up (there aren’t many). In order to use the system you need to install Leapfrog Connect onto the computer of your choice, so that you can hook up your Didj and download the game that comes with the system by using an included USB cable.

At this time you can also allow your child to create a custom avatar using the online Didjerator. Depending on your child this might take a few minutes. Every color of the rainbow is available and there are numerous options for outfits, accessories, and shoes. If your child is a perfectionist they will have a lot to look through. However, once they are happy with the end result you can download the avatar to the child’s Didj. This is fun because whenever they are playing a game that allows for Didj characters they can opt to use their avatar.

Durability:
The Didj is set up very similar to a PSP style game. You have a directional keypad, some A and B buttons and the basic home and help buttons. It’s a fairly thin (compared to the Leapster2) unit, but it should hold up against drops and accidental issues that sometimes happen with kids. Considering this is for a little bit older kids there shouldn’t be a problem with them being overly rough on their toys, like a four year old might. They are getting to the age where they understand how to care for their things. With that in mind, I think that the Didj is incredibly durable and will probably outlast the interest that your child has in it. Assuming your child gets new games and enjoys it for a year or longer, the system should be just fine in that time frame.

Ease of Use:
Kids have this remarkable talent of knowing how to use most things electronic without explanation. That being said, your child is not going to have any problem with this. The entire system, whether you are on the computer or just using the game, has been set up with children in mind. The system is easy to navigate, fun to play with, and should not provide any problem for the average child on the go.

Fun Factor & Overall Appeal:
Kids should have a good time playing with the Didj. If you are only purchasing the system they may eventually get bored of the one included game “Jetpack Heroes”, but that would be said about any system that you purchase. This is not a standalone toy, in the sense that you can just buy the system and never have to purchase anything else for or with it.

The “JetPack Heroes” game was tested first. The goal is to use your avatar to fight the villain Gooracha and provide light for the planet. You have to use your math skills to free the energy guys that Gooracha and his villainous fiends have kidnapped. The player will be able to use the navigational buttons to stop the enemy and to travel through the world. Overall, it’s a fun starter game and it’s great for kids that need to brush up on their math skills.

If your kids take advantage of the interactive software they can collect Bitz as they play. Bitz can be used to “purchase” game updates. For example you can get new backgrounds for the game, a new spaceship, or better music if the kids don’t like the current options.

With “Android Invasion” parents can actually tweak the game slightly when they go online to determine which puzzle games they would like their children to play in the game. You could actually do this prior to giving your child the game the first time, which would allow you to prime it to your preferences while still giving them the freedom to explore a new game.

This game uses the navigational pad for things like forward, backward, and kneeling, your “A” button has you attacking when necessary and the “B” button is all for jumping. The goal is to defeat Invader Zim and his evil buddies. To do that, kids will travel through the levels, enter machines, and complete the puzzles using math and other skills. Kids will love the music and the familiarity with characters that they see on television. Some of the puzzles are pretty fun and challenging, too.

The downsides are that the graphics aren’t top notch and I feel there should have been more frequent save points. Had we put a limit on game play (something we normally do) then we would have been forced to either make him lose his spot or wait for a save spot to appear, which could take a few minutes. The characters are there, but that’s about it and should these characters go out of style the game might not be as fun for kids. However, right now things are looking good for “Android Invasion.” Kids have fun playing it and adults get the pleasure of knowing that their kids are brushing up on their math.

Bottom Line:
The Didj has a few faults, but it’s easy to see that the positives of this system far outweigh the negatives. Children will love the customization options involved in making their own avatars. Parents will love the customization that comes with tailoring the game to your child’s needs. The Bitz system adds something new by letting children enhance their game with the options of their choice. It’s all a huge step in the right direction for slightly older kids and educational handheld systems. At $65 this is a good option for parents looking for something better than the average toy this Christmas. Just make sure you pick up a game or two to go along with it, otherwise that’s the next request that you will be hearing!

Price: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Durability: 5 out of 5 stars
Ease of Assembly: 5 out of 5 stars
Fun Factor: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Child Readiness: 5 out of 5 stars
Lasting Appeal: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Overall Rating: 4.58 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: Ages 6 to 10, Leap Frog, Didj, Nicktoons, Android Invasion, Handheld Game, Educational Game, Kids, Children, Bitz, Math, Creative Play

LI Kids actually posted this review earlier in the year though as this would be a suitable Christmas option, we decided to dig it up and re-post it. Look for our other toy reviews for some fun Christmas options for the kids!

Leap Frog is known for making some of the best toys with education in mind, that is currently on the toy market. Even though my child is older, I have kept my eye on all they have done because I might have more children, I have a young nephew, and because I just love toys. One thing I can be iffy on though is the idea of a child having a handheld gaming system. My son had one when he was younger and I noticed how he wanted to take it everywhere and play it constantly. Maybe my biggest issue was that it wasn’t very educational. Whatever it was, he doesn’t have one anymore and I am not very fond of the idea of him getting one again.

The Leapster 2 may have changed my mind, in part, on gaming systems for kids. This system is for children between the ages of four and seven. Depending on the child, a little younger or older might work, too. The thing I like the most about this system is that it’s educational. The games are fun for kids but they actually get something out of them, too. It’s not just mindless entertainment and as a parent and an educator, I can respect that.

We have paired this review up with the review for the game that we received with the system. WALL-E is sure to be one of the most popular games for this system. Set to possibly become one of the most popular Pixar films in existence, WALL-E is just plain fun when it comes to playing him on the Leapster 2. The kids love him and the environmental message makes it worth paying the main price and then some!

Positives & Negatives:

Positives:
Educational
Kid Friendly (they can operate and play on their own)
Good for Solo or Multiple Child Play
Reasonably Priced Games
Easy to find (this bright green isn’t getting past anyone!)
Sparks Creativity
Multiple Ways to play (SD Card, Main System Games, Computer, or Cartridge Games)

Negatives:
In a Faltering Economy could be Viewed as Expensive (Long Lasting Appeal could Cancel this out)
Bulky enough to be Awkward for some Kids
SD Card is Optional though Necessary for Advanced Features

Pricing & Availability:
The main Leapster 2 system will vary in cost depending on where you are buying it. I checked out Amazon.com for pricing and came up with a price tag of $69.99. If you’re comparing it to other game systems it is an absolute steal. You are not going to be able to purchase a new Nintendo DS for anything under $100 (that would be miracle pricing) and the PSP will run you much more than that. Meanwhile, the games for both systems would run around the $30 mark if not higher. The Leapster 2 games vary but many fall around $25. It’s a fair price if you want your young child to have a game system that is both educational and within their age range.

Requirements & Instructions:
Everything you need short of four batteries is included in the box when you buy the system. When you get the game everything is in there, too. Game systems like this are generally an out of the box solution to play. Just take it out of the box and as long as you have some batteries handy you will be up and going in no time.

Some options for play do come along with this though. For starters, parents that want their children to take full advantage of the Leapster 2 might want to pick up an SD card (purchase separately) because there are a number of features where this is necessary. You can play perfectly fine without one, but if you want to unlock all of the potential of the system at some point you will need one to experience all the system has to offer.

The SD card allows you to save pictures (there is a little art studio in the system), download new games, or even use the online Learning Path features. Without the SD card you will need game cartridges and while you can still go online with a USB cable it is only to view/print rewards for the completion of various game levels. You can also print out your pictures rather than saving them. So, if you do not have money for an SD card when you purchase this, your children will be able to get along without it for awhile.

Durability:
The Leapster 2 is definitely durable. As I mentioned earlier I cannot shake the feeling that it’s rather clunky. It’s big and thick, which is somewhat of a plus because if your child drops it, this is definitely not going to break. The child would literally have to make an effort to do damage to the Leapster 2 for it to show signs of abuse. The most delicate piece on this system would have to be the stylus pen. It is attached by a thin string, but we have not noticed any problems. The one thing that I have seen is that my four year old nephew is compelled to pull the system around by the string (he never wants to let go of the stylus). Still, the stylus remains intact and there are no problems with the game. We have not noticed any issues worth reporting to you when it comes to durability. Assuming your child does not throw their toys into the wall on a regular basis this should last longer than your child will be interested in it.

In the case of the WALL-E game, it’s a small cartridge. I did not intentionally attempt to damage it to find out what it could stand, though if I were you I would treat it like any other small electronic item that you don’t want broken. If it were stepped on it probably would not work anymore, but if it were dropped it should be fine. Other than that, use your best judgment.

Ease of Use:
Assuming your child is within the age range (give or take) there are no questions that this will be easy for them. There are a few options that they can choose from, but the kids didn’t ask me a thing when playing with the Leapster 2. I suppose part of the fun is in being able to find out what is what without having to ask for help. The four year old had the most challenge with it before, but the older child helped him along. Lil B had never had anything close to a handheld game, so this is probably where the problem came from.

Still with a little urging from the more experienced child he was up and running in minutes. He didn’t want to let this go either. He rotated from the game and art section of the system to the WALL-E game and he seemed to enjoy each one equally. He painted more than anything, though that didn’t surprise me because he loves to color. This was fine for me because it gave me plenty of nice new refrigerator art.

Naturally, if you have the SD card you would want to supervise your child when going online to download games or print progress sheets and rewards. However, if they are not going online this is simple and fun for them to use and they should not need much supervision while using it.

Fun Factor & Overall Appeal:
I watched the kids play and I played a little myself and I have to say, for the money that you pay, it’s worth it to spend. The graphics are mildly archaic compared to some of the other systems, but I am not really a fan of any of the handhelds because none of them put out truly amazing graphics anyway. However, the screen is easy to see and the graphics are acceptable for younger children who probably won’t even notice how good/bad they are.

The thing that I love about the WALL-E game has to do with the environmentally educational nature of the game. Lil B made sure to have me read him the environment facts that popped up at the end of the game once we got there.

We didn’t spend too much time on the computer with it though I did notice that based on the progress that the kids made, there were recommendations of other games that he would like. That was a big positive for me because these recommendations appear to be based on strengths and weaknesses shown in the game. So, if you’re hoping to improve your child’s skill set this would be a good way to do it.

Lil B didn’t want to put the system down. He also liked the free game that is already on the system and ready to go. “Dragons to the Rescue!” has four levels and teaches numbers, letters, and moves up to spelling and multiplication. The levels are challenging but they are age/level appropriate. They will be harder for older kids, so two children of varying ages could still benefit from a Leapster 2.

Another big plus, especially if you own an earlier system, is that backplay is allowed so all of your children’s old games will work in this new system.

Bottom Line:
The Leapster 2 is an awesome toy and a great, educational dip into handheld gaming. If you want your child to have an on the go toy, but you do not want them exposed to something that offers access to violent gaming or other negative ideals, than this is for you. All of the games are friendly and educational for kids of most ages. Your children won’t be killing anything and there will not be any bloodshed. It’s just good clean fun in the simplest form. Sure there are some things that could be worked on. It’s a little clunky and the graphics aren’t the best, but it’s fairly priced, offers back play, and the kids love it. That being said, the good certainly outweighs the bad! If you do decide to purchase the Leapster 2, I highly recommend picking up the WALL-E game to go with it, too. The environmental message is excellent and kids seem to soak up the knowledge of the importance of helping keep our planet safe and clean. Again, this is well worth the few dollars you pay for it!

Price: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Durability: 5 out of 5 stars
Ease of Assembly: 5 out of 5 stars
Fun Factor: 5 out of 5 stars
Child Readiness: 5 out of 5 stars
Lasting Appeal: 5 out of 5 stars
Overall Rating: 4.75 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: Ages 4 to 7, Leap Frog, Leapster 2, WALL E, Handheld Game, Educational Game, Kids, Children, Young Children, Creative Play

This time, K and mom went to play with some dolls while I spent the day with D. At age seven, she’s the perfect age for the MyLife. This bright pink, lightweight handheld is recommended for ages 7-11. Let me just say, this was a huge hit with D. She loved the MyLife so much, she asked me to bring it back the next day, so she could play with it again. As you can imagine, she’s now the proud recipient of her very own MyLife and her mom says she goes everywhere with the toy!

What D loves the most about the MyLife is how customizable it is. She is in control of the game and her character. She had the chance to make her own character and she also had the opportunity to download other items to make her character unique to her. This was a great self-esteem and confidence booster for D. She loved the freedom she was given to create any character she wanted. She also enjoyed the fact that we trusted her to be responsible for her new toy.

Positives & Negatives:
There are many good things about the MyLife Portable Device. This toy, which is specifically designed for girls, has only a few, mildly negative things about it. The good truly outweighs the bad.

Positives:
Lightweight
Cute Concept
Attractive Color for Little Girls
Teaches Responsibility
Trendy, Sleek Design
Fun for Kids
Highly Customizable

Negatives:
Expensive
Annoying Music
Didn’t notice a way to turn music down/off

Pricing & Availability:
The biggest problem I have with this toy is its recommended retail price. The recommended price is $59.99. For nearly twice that, you could buy your child a Nintendo DS. This offers a lot more games than the MyLife, and would be a better deal. However, this toy is specifically designed with little girls in mind. The DS is for both boys and girls and there really aren’t that many portable devices designed for girls. That makes this toy unique. So, while I wouldn’t ordinarily pay this much for a portable toy, I would most likely make an exception if I had a little girl of my own (and she wanted the MyLife).

That being said, while buying the MyLife might put a bigger dent in your wallet than you might expect, it is available at a variety of retailers for a lower price than the suggested retail. In fact, at Walmart, you can purchase the MyLife for around $50 both at the store and online. If you plan to purchase the MyLife for your daughter, I suggest you buy it here, because this is the lowest I’ve seen the MyLife.

Requirements & Instructions:
The MyLife Portable Device requires batteries. One downside is the amount of time the game lasts without changing the batteries. If your daughter plays with the MyLife a lot, you’ll be changing the batteries nearly every day. It does seem to go through batteries quite a bit, so consider using rechargeable ones to save on the money you’ll spend. Your MyLife also comes with an instruction manual though starting the game is somewhat self-explanatory. One thing you’ll need to know, that isn’t mentioned, is that you will need to start earning money.

One of the downsides of MyLife is the fact that your character and your pet can get sick. You must have money to pay for treatment at the hospital. Otherwise, you will be restarting your game. This happened only once to D, but she was disappointed at having to reset her game, nonetheless. It might have been better if there were checkpoints where the game could be saved and the girl playing had the ability to return to a previous checkpoint, in the event of an unplanned illness.

If you get past this initial problem, you (and your daughter) should have little to no trouble getting back into the swing of things and playing this game.

Durability:
The MyLife is pretty durable. D was none too happy with Lil Miss K, her younger sister, knocked the MyLife off the table. Of course, K was curious about the toy because it is quite pretty, with its sleek and trendy pink design. D was happy when she realized that nothing was broken. Just like other portable, electronic devices, the toy can be bumped around in normal kid fashion with little to no damage.

Of course, I don’t recommend letting your child throw it around just for the heck of it. If it accidentally gets dropped, that’s one thing. Playing hot potato with it, carelessly, may result in the typical damage you’d expect an electronic device to have thanks to thoughtless playing.

Ease of Use:
You pretty much just have to turn the MyLife on (after putting in the batteries) and it’s ready to go. There is an instruction manual included in case you or your child get lost mid-game, but it really isn’t that hard to understand. Girls age 7 and up will have no problem playing with this toy. Littler girls will also want to have this, because it is a pretty pink color, but it might be harder for them to figure out how to play the MyLife.

Fun Factor & Overall Appeal:
What isn’t fun about the MyLife? The MyLife lets young girls create their own, customizable self. They can pick out their eyes, hair, clothes, accessories and pretty much everything else regarding their appearance. The character is able to enter a virtual land, where she can go shopping, talk to people, complete specific goals, ride on a motor scooter, and plenty of other fun activities.

Girls also have the chance to play games through the MyLife. They can download a series of items to add to their world. There is also a website where girls can visit that relates to the game. This page is at http://www.iwantmylife.com. At the website, your daughter can learn a lot more about game play, downloads, and there is even a MyLife Product Catalog. D found the website incredibly helpful, and so did her mom, who wanted to buy more content for the game. This way she knew exactly what to buy.

About the downloadable content; this is available by cartridges called MyStuff and MyWorld Keys. The key cartridges ($2.99 and $19.99) can be placed in the back of the MyLife unit and they unlock clothes, accessories, drinks to increase a characters happiness, health, etc., power bars, food, and other items of benefit.

The most appealing thing about the MyLife has to be the fact that your daughter can have fun using it, and while its kind of like other portable devices (cell phones and internet connected devices), it’s safe,. Plus, there are no costly, monthly fees to pay.

Some may see the fact that the graphics are kind of retro, as a downside. The graphics remind me of those used on the original gameboy, only in color. They could be better, but I happen to like the retro feel. This is, ultimately, going to be a matter of personal preference. However, one thing I absolutely could not stand was the music.

All of the adults who heard the music were ready to buy earplugs after hearing this for less than a half-hour. The kids didn’t seem to mind much, at all, so this is just one of those things that annoys parents. I couldn’t find a way to turn the volume of the music down either, so for me, this was torture.

Bottom Line:
If you have a young girl who is between the ages of 7 and 11, you’ll want to consider buying the MyLife. With Christmas coming up, this excellent toy is small enough to make a great stocking stuffer though any little girl would love this as one of the gifts she opens on Christmas Day. Not to be discounted, some boys may enjoy this toy as well, though it is primarily recommended for girls. Either way, this is sure to be a big hit in your house, with any child who receives this as a present.

Price: 2 out of 5 stars
Durability: 4 out of 5 stars
Ease of Assembly: 5 out of 5 stars
Fun Factor: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Child Readiness: 4 out of 5 stars
Lasting Appeal: 4 out of 5 stars
Overall Rating: 3.92 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: MyLife, Portable Device, Toy Review, Girls, Game System, Christmas Gift, Toys, Playmates, Handheld