I was surfing the web the other day, and I happened upon an ad for Crave Entertainment's "Baby Pals" game for DS.

Before we get going keep in mind that I'm not saying that I like to play these games. I haven't in fact played them. I only mention this because I have defended certain non-traditional games that have merit (cooking mama, Endless Ocean) but even I have my limits.


Image from IGN.com
Umm.... creepy!!!

Yet and still, the whole point of Baby Pals is of course to sell to children, probably "tweener" girls specifically. I also think one's reaction to games like this is entirely dependent on the question of whether or not you yourself have children. If you do, then you see the cute babies on the covers of these games and you think of your own kid, and you have a positive feeling. Those who don't have kids (or are the aforementioned little kids that these games are marketed for).

So, out of curiosity, I decided to take a look at the two DS Baby "sim" games: Crave's Baby Pals and Ubisoft's Imagine: Babyz.


Image from IGN.com.
Much better art direction. The baby is actually cute.

Which one, based off of screenshots and revews, is the better baby sim?

I'd give the nod to Ubisoft's title. First, and most importantly, Babyz wisely uses a cartoonish art style, thus avoiding the most frightening "uncanny valley" problem of all: the creepy soulless baby (think of Sony's weird PS3 commercials last year). Crave uses a semi-realistic style that is, to say the least, creepy. Plus, Baby Pals actually has nudity in the diaper changing and bath segments. That's kinda odd.