E3 2008: Hands on with National Geographic Panda on DS

Nintendogs has brought a resurgence of virtual pet games, the latest of which is National Geographic Panda. Opting for a fantasy approach to the welfare of these big bears, this virtual care simulation is as close as you'll get to ever raising a panda pal. Great customization options, a variety of interesting toys, and an absolutely adorable presentation promise to distinguish this bizarre game.

National Geographic Panda follows in the paw prints of the aforementioned DS classic, Nintendogs, letting you care for a virtual panda. Just like Nintendo's canine hit, you're able to feed, dress, and play with your panda in a variety of locations.

You start the game with a single panda for which to look after, but up to three others can be unlocked if you demonstrate good pet-caring skills. Unfortunately, you aren't able to choose the sex of your panda pals, but they're yours nonetheless.

At the most basic level, caring for your panda requires meeting its need for food and water. A status screen informs you of when he/she ('it' seems so impersonal, doesn't it?) is hungry and thirsty. You're able to purchase food using a daily allowance doled out each morning.

Additionally, you can use any accumulated cash to buy clothing and toys for your panda to play with. Regardless of the quality of care you provide, you receive allowance, so you're guaranteed at least a little money whenever you play.

Points earned for teaching your panda tricks encourages you to spend most of your time instructing him/her on how to perform gymnastic moves or play with complicated toys. For example, circles drawn with the stylus help your panda learn a somersault. Gifting a xylophone and then tapping it with the stylus tells your panda how to play music. There's even a playground where tyre swinging and slide skills can be put to the ultimate test.

Different locations ensure variety in your surroundings, not to mention keeping your panda from being couped up in a pen. And going a little, you know, loco. The aforementioned playground sits in the Panda Park, which naturally is a good place for learning tricks thanks to its grassy open spaces. Other locales include the Wash Room, where you obviously scrub your panda using the stylus, and the Panda House.

Unlike the other locations, the Panda House offers a number of options including access to special National Geographic articles regarding pandas. Working through the game enables you to unlock more than 20 articles for reading throughout the course of the game. In addition, as you earn trick points, you can customize the furniture decorating the house's interior.

While the concept of caring for a panda is definitely out there, we have open minds and were pleasantly surprised with National Geographic Panda. It has a cute presentation and plenty of activities from tricks to toys to interior decorating. Best of all, it's undoubtedly the safest way to look after these loveable-but-will-bite-through-your-skull creatures.