I’ve never tried Cooking Mama 1 or 2, or the wii version, but I’ve always heard great things. So, like most people, I was expecting a three-quel to be not so hot. But its really fun! I love manipulating controls to quickly create a meal. Its hugely addicting, a great time waster, of course. But totally something that I need when I need to destress and get away from real life. And, because I do love cooking, this is really, really fun for me.

The game has recipes and lots of mini games. My favorite is when you mix it up and create your own recipes, because that’s what I like to do in the kitchen, and this one makes you actually win. Which is a lot better than the kids reactions. Its also really fun to the do the shopping. Seriously, you’re having fun in the grocery store. Against a clock you have to race to shop, but if you bump into another person in the store, you have to do a mini game. Which hurts your time but is so fun its totally worth it.

Now here’s my problem: Big saw me playing Cooking Mama 3. And he’s already better at it than me.

I received a copy of Cooking Mama 3 as a sample, as well as Petz Dolphinz Encounter.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with a Nintendo DSi, it is a portable gaming system that kids love! The Nintendo DSi system comes with nine different built-in software applications: Nintendo DSi + Internet, Nintendo DSi Shop, DS Download Play, System Settings, Nintendo DSi Browser, PictoChat, Nintendo DSi Camera, Nintendo DSi Sound and Flipnote Studio.

The coolest feature of the DSi is that the unit is able to connect to Wi-Fi hotspots for Internet browsing and online gaming. While we were away, we frequented coffee shops that had Wi-Fi and my daughter was able to quickly download a new game. The DSi does have parental controls available so that you can limit access to certain content. Additionally, the DSi’s digital camera makes it ideal for capturing anything you want. My daughter is really into taking pictures of anything and everything, so she really loves this feature. There are actually two cameras – one inside for showing the player in an online gaming environment and the other on the outside for taking more traditional pictures. The outside camera is 3.0 megapixels and the quality is pretty good.

As far as the gaming on the DSi goes, it should be noted that the DSi plays all Nintendo DS games. There are literally hundreds of titles from which to choose. One game we received and that my daughter loved was Style Savvy, a game that combines creativity and fashion with a collection of trendy clothes, chic accessories and stylish shoes. In the game, you’re the owner of a clothing boutique and you must purchase inventory, monitor the store’s funds and try to please your fashionista customers. Once you build up some cash from your loyal customers, it’s time to start making real business decisions: Should you expand your inventory? Should you start getting ready for seasonal changes? Utilizing the wireless capabilities of the DSi, your child can join up to three of their friends in hosting a fashion runway contest to see who has the best eye for fashion!

The DSi is on-sale this week at Target and is available in the following colors: White, Blue, Pink and Black.

In Imagine Teacher Class Trip, tweens oversee a class on an academic competition retreat. The “teacher” uses classroom managment skills and grades papers.

In Imagine Boutique Owner a tween becomes a manager/owner of a tiny boutique. As she plays, she is faced with challenges like listening to and pleasing the customer, making change and, eventually, designing new store areas, stocking them and working to make them succeed.

We also have Imagine Zookeeper and Imagine Artist, but I haven’t explored those as well. (Once I gave my son the DSi to play Battle of Giant Dinosaurs, also a sample, I haven’t had much time to get back on.)

Thanks to Ubisoft for sending sample games (and the DSi).

The game itself is pretty self-explanatory:  kids can design their own jewelry on this game.  But the unique piece to this game which I think is so neat is that they can then upload their designs to the Ubisoft site and then, via a partner jewelry company, order the pieces they’ve designed.  Each piece is very affordable (think $20 for the more expensive necklaces).  Visit the Jewelry Design site to read more about it and if you have a tween girl to buy for this season, check this one out!

Many thanks to Ubisoft for generously providing samples of several games, including this one, and a Nintendo DSi to test it out on.