Around the World with Hello Kitty & Friends

Reasons that you'd be reading this and seriously considering purchasing the game include:

A - You are a young child. If this is the case, your ability to read this makes you overqualified.
B - You like Sanrio characters. I get it. I lived in Japan and experienced enough cuteness for a lifetime, but just go look at some pictures or buy a plush toy instead.
C - You have a young child. Fair enough. Read on.

"What should I do today?"

Over the years, Hello Kitty has racked up an inexhaustible number of air miles, so she can fly around the world as much as she wants. Well, she can visit six different countries, and go shopping in 15.

Each of the six countries you can actively visit hosts four mini-games, each based on the stereotypes of the country. By taking part in these mini-games, Kitty can earn 'Puro' to spend on clothes and souvenirs.

Over the course of her world tour, Kitty can serve tea and cakes in the UK, take part in a fashion show in France, spot animals in Kenya, partake in samba dancing in Brazil, fry steaks in the USA, and play festival games in Japan.

Mini-games are varied, but some are too slow-paced and unresponsive to touch or gyro controls. A few of the colour-focused mini-games will prove very difficult for colourblind kids - I had some trouble myself.

"I'm so excited! Ahahaha! Sooo exciting!"

Fair warning for parents: Hello Kitty's voice and English accent can be quite... abrasive. If you've seen South Park, imagine a female version of Cartman's voice when he's having high tea with his dolls. These phrases are looped ad infinitum:

"Looking at souvenirs could be fun!"
"Maybe going shawpping would be fun!"
"Should I try on some different cleauthes?"
"Maybe I could go on a treep?"
"Why don't we take some piktchas?"

The souvenirs that can be purchased around the world are pictures with information or history on famous sights or knick-knacks from each country. Disappointingly, though, the clothes that be purchased are only used as a backdrop in Hello Kitty’s room.

There's an Augmented Reality (AR) mode, which allows for photos to be taken with Hello Kitty using the AR Card. This 'card', however, is actually the back page manual rather than a separate item.

Photos can only be taken using the outer camera and touch controls, making selfies nigh impossible. If you cut out the card, though, I imagine there's fun to be had by taking photos of your child with it.

"Ahahaha, that's not it. Let's try that again!"

While I used to think my love for characters such as Pompompurin and Tuxedo Sam knew no bounds, I find it difficult to thoroughly recommend that parents buy Around the World with Hello Kitty & Friends for their children.

Outside of reinforcing the ideals of capitalism and cultural stereotypes, there are a few fun mini-games and some interesting facts and outfits to buy. But at the end of the day, the money would be better spent on buying a children's world atlas.

Around the World with Hello Kitty & Friends

Even as a Hello Kitty game for young kids, this mini-game compilation leaves a lot to be desired
Score
Danny Russell
Danny Russell
After spending years in Japan collecting game developers' business cards, Danny has returned to the UK to breed Pokemon. He spends his time championing elusive region-exclusive games while shaking his fist at the whole region-locking thing.