I am specifically commenting on the Wii Animal Crossing City Folk product. Not only do they cross many miles to their nearby urban community, they can also cross many miles to visit friends and relatives they don’t see regularly.

I have had the pleasure of watching my grandchildren enjoy hours of entertainment with their Wii console. Personally, I believe that this system not only provides “playtime” for children and adults, but also helps children develop mentally, socially, and physically.

At Animal Crossing City Folk, children hold the keys to their own community. They develop the whole story. This game encourages your child to use his imagination. They can develop their own little Mii (persona), choose their hair, clothes, etc. They move into their own houses that they decorate as they like.

They can go fishing for rare fish that they can sell to beauties! They can use the beauties they accumulate to pay their mortgage, buy items for their house, clothes or gifts for their friends. They can also give their beauties back to their community to buy new bridges, parks, windmills, and community services. As you can see, this can help develop an attitude of “generosity” and a desire to help others.

Each animal character has a personality. There are animals like elephants, goats, raccoons, rabbits, etc. It’s fun to see all the animals and Miis walking around the community. Up to four people in your household can live, work, and play together. Parents can have fun playing with their children. They can go fishing together, build snowmen, take a bus to a new urban city where they can see a show, or shop at Gracie’s Boutique. They can also buy clothes, have their shoes polished, and have their hair done. They can have a complete Mii makeover!

The environment is that of real life. Even the seasons change. It snows, rains and the sun is shining brightly. Fireflies come out in the summer, there are trick-or-treating activities on Halloween, and they can hunt eggs on bunny day.

I have seen my grandchildren play this game. Not only do they develop good communication skills, they learn to spell by communicating with their Mii friends, and when buying and selling things, they also have to use their math skills. On the creative side, kids can design clothes, posters, and other art supplies. I value games that help children grow in all of these areas.

In addition, with Animal Crossing you can travel miles and play with cousins ​​or friends who live far away. Yes, you can even play online using your broadband connection. You can invite up to three friends to visit your city using the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. If you buy the Wii Speak microphone, it will appear that you are all in the same room. There is no price to see the kids “get together” at Animal Crossing.

It is so adorable to see these little people go to their city gate where there are two guard dog guards to go visit another town or greet their guests. They have fun fishing, seeing each other’s house and how it has been furnished and decorated. They can even shop at their friends’ community stores.

I see this type of activity as a means of developing skills that a child can use in his life. It is definitely an inexpensive way to cross the miles that separate children from their friends and family. And the cost is much less than that of airplanes, trains or cars!

Hope you have fun on Animal Crossing!