.co.uk Review

Make way for Babyz! Adopt an adorable virtual kid in this amazing, playful CD-ROM simulation of child rearing from the company that brought you Catz and Dogz. Each Babyz (that's singular, too) is darling and unique--choose one of 15 to adopt or, if none of them is just right, check out their Web site with plenty more to pick from, changing every day.

You can have up to three in one house, and then the fun begins. Name your Babyz, clothe them, give them toys, feed them, watch them play in the backyard, or just give them a tickle when they look bored. The software runs both like a normally selected program and as a screensaver--if you're not careful, the Babyz will take over your screen when you're not looking!

The graphics are playful and imaginative, the costumes are cute, and the house itself is full of stuff for the Babyz to explore. The package comes with voice-recognition software so you can even talk to your Babyz--or teach them to speak. Short, simple words will start yammering back at you before long, and you'll wonder how you ever lived without a babbling Babyz in your computer. --Rob Lightner

Manufacturer's Description

From the creators of Dogz and Catz, comes Babyz, the next generation of virtual life. Play with and take care of a group of cute, mischievous Babyz who live in a virtual house in your computer. With voice recognition, your can talk to your Babyz! Watch your favourite Babyz grow as they learn to talk, walk and develop their own personalities!

PLAY! In a virtual house with dozens of toys, a record player, picture books and musical instruments. Babyz can learn the names of objects and let you know what they want to do!

NURTURE! Tickle, rock and hold your Babyz. Feed, bathe and even change your Babyz nappy. Dress your Babyz in shirts, trousers, hats, socks and jumpers! Soothe and comfort your Babyz, give them medicine if they're sick, and help them learn about the world around them.

EXPLORE! You'll have all of the things your Babyz will need to learn and grow. Move your Babyz from room to room and activity to activity with a simple click of the mouse.