Hey You Pikachu

Hey You Pikachu

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Video games don't get much cuter than Hey You, Pikachu!, a Pokémon title that allows players to talk to their favorite electric mouse--via the Voice Recognition Unit (VRU) that's included--and share in its day-to-day adventures. While older Pokémon fans might find the game too childish, the candy-coated goodness that's found here makes it perfect for the kiddies.

With the abstract goal of building a friendship with Pikachu, players communicate with it by speaking certain keywords and phrases into the VRU's microphone. Although Pikachu's speech is limited to variations on its own name (e.g., "Pika! Pika!"), it expresses itself through thought bubbles and the game's adorably animated 3-D graphics.

Mastering this interaction is key to solving Hey You, Pikachu!'s puzzle elements, which are encapsulated in various squeaky-clean activities in which you and Pikachu participate together. While the voice recognition here isn't perfect by any means, there's plenty of on-screen help and guidance to keep players from getting too frustrated. --Joe Hon

Pros:

• Allows players to interact verbally with Pikachu
• Adorably animated 3-D graphics
• Plenty of onscreen help and guidance

• Voice recognition not perfect by any means
• Might be too childish for older Pokémon fans

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