Zhu Zhu Pets are small furry toys that look like hamsters, but to the untrained eye the words "yikes, mouse" may be the first phrase that jumps to mind. These motorized pets were all the craze in 2009, retailing for $10 with markups as high as $40 due to shortages. It's hard to understand the complex affection a child can have for their Zhu Zhu toys. But like the Trix Rabbit is always told, "Silly Adults, Zhu Zhu Pets are for kids." Zhu Zhu Pets 2: Featuring The Wild Bunch recently launched on both the Nintendo Wii and DS. The game features a few new Zhu Zhu characters as well as some story elements regarding the rascally Wild Bunch. The Clik got a chance to check out Zhu Zhu Pets 2 on the DS and see what all the chatter was about.

Zhu Zhu Pets 2 comes in a limited edition release that includes "Nutters," one of the newly added franchise hamsters. At this point, I do consider myself a grown-up, but I still can appreciate a good toy - especially, when it comes as an added bonus. Russ Hornsby, the same person who created the Powderpuff Girls action figure line, created these motorized hamsters. If you're a young girl, who is the target demo for Zhu Zhu Pets, you'll want to pay close attention to the label on top. "Please keep toy away from hair." Children who like sleeping with toys, may accidentally turn it on while it's next to their hair. Nutters is button activated and scampers around your floor, performing spins and making talking in garbled Zhu Zhu lingo. Kids wild definitely have fun with it. And, I have to say; it will provide a minute or two of playful diversion for adults too.

When you first turn on the actual game, the first thing you will notice is the cheer squad voice over. While utterly annoying to me, the enthusiastic OMG Valley Girl voice will playfully usher children into the Zhu Zhu Pets world. For me, it's just too much to hear someone scream out, "This Zhu Zhu needs to go potty." Once gamers choose their first Zhu Zhu pet, they will take it home. When you're home, the game plays like an animal training game. Your pets will constantly have different desires and how well you take care of them will affect that pets' overall happiness. Pets can be fed, given water, taken to a hamster wheel for exercise, given a bath, taken to potty breaks and cuddled. The animations are very cutesy. When the pets go to the potty, you will see them take out a newspaper before you are booted back to the main living room. Take too long to take care of your pets' needs and they will stand up on their hind legs, giving you a frown that just can't be turned upside down. As you can see, the overly chipper narrator is still affecting me. At the end of the day, gamers can play a lullaby on a xylophone to put their Zhu Zhu to sleep. Each lullaby is only eight notes. So, whatever you create is going to be very short and will be repeated a few times as your Zhu Zhu goes to sleep.

The game does follow a story line, but it's quickly forgettable. You get a letter in your mailbox and you hear about a quest with Captain Zhu. So you hop on an airplane and travel to various regions where you compete in racing competitions. Regions include a standard playground, a treetop area, Volcano Island, an amusement park, snow-capped mountain area and a waterfall zone. The narrator will crank out endless instructions early on and once you start performing actions you will miss most of them.

Each zone has five or more races that end with a final race against the Wild Bunch. In these races, pet owners will move around in a car, sled or surfboard collecting items and competing against their best times. Outside of the final race against the Wild Bunch, the other races are primarily personal challenges to get the fastest time and biggest trophy. Gamers collect items like carrots for added power boosts. These boosts allow you to have a quick jolt of turbo or to break through crates and certain walls. I have to think that these kinds of power ups are designed as subliminal messages for children. Eat your vegetables and you can be fast and powerful like a Zhu Zhu pet. Although you are racing against your own time, the standard boards are setup as mazes, with warp zones and various twists that will keep you searching for the finish line. There are also secret doors on every level that you will need to find a key to open. After you beat the main game, you can continue to tend to your Zhu Zhu pets or try to beat your best times for better trophies.

If you own a DSi, you will be able to play an enhanced game mode after each zone's final race. Gamers who get place number one against the Wild Bunch will be allowed to take pictures and use them as a background.

If you're a parent. Zhu Zhu Pets 2 is an excellent option for young children this holiday.

Final Grade: C+