Review: Build-a-Bear Workshop
Score: 85
Now surely, surely, this is going to be a completely naff title? How can you replicate the sub-ten-year-old Build A Bear experience electronically?
Surprisingly well, as it turns out.
First impressions aren't stunning, although your daughter will be off and creating three bears/animals and accessorizing them, using designs and graphics fairly close to the real thing.
The range of items is very restrictive and, as a parent, you start to wonder whether Build-A-Bear Workshop was a waste of money. But then your child starts to get into the mini-games and starts to find their way around the menu system...
...And before you know it, they're unlocking extra outfits, extra accessories, extra mini-games, extra photo backgrounds, extra 'moves'... the list goes on and on.
The mini-games are surprisingly creative. Here's one where you have to catch honey drips, stashing honey in storage pots before bees and spiders rob you:
And there's quite a bit to do with the bears themselves, fluffing them, caring for them, brushing their teeth at night (I know, I know....) and putting away their toys.
There isn't quite the same degree of attachment to the virtual creations as to the real-life bears, but the DS game certainly stands on its own very well, in terms of keeping a 6 to 10 year old girl happy for hours.
Recommended.