Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 2 [DS]

Earlier this year, Bandai (before its merger with Namco) decided to take advantage of the returned popularity of the Tamagotchi virtual pet with a DS game called Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop. Apparently, the little egg-shaped toys are still a hit with the kids, as Namco Bandai has decided to release a sequel to that title.

Much like the original, Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 2 has surprisingly little to do with raising the adorable electronic creatures, instead focusing on you teaming up with one in order to open and run a variety of stores at the "Tama Mall." Each shop is home to a mini-game that you must play in order to wait on each customer that comes in. At first, you only have a couple of shops to work at, but as you earn more money by waiting on multiple TamaTown citizens, you can purchase more shops to manage.

There are a couple of shops from the original game that make a return appearance here, but for the most part, all of the shops are new. What happens in most of them is that a customer enters your store (as represented on the DS's top screen) and tells you what type of item they want. It's up to you to use the touch screen to make sure that their order is perfect. Perform well, and you'll score well and make the customer happy. Since this is a kids' game, messing up won't cause any permanent damage. You'll just get a slightly disappointed look from your partner Tamagotchi, but you'll still get paid (which is the important part, right?). Once you've dealt with enough customers, your shop will get a visit from Princess Tamako, who will expand your business for you. Each shop can be expanded four times, inviting you to replay the levels a few times.

Sushi Groove

The mini-games are relatively involved, forcing you to take multiple steps to insure that your service is top-notch. When you work at a sushi bar, for instance, you'll have multiple customers sitting in front of a conveyer belt. Their orders will be floating in a thought bubble above their heads. You need to assemble the desired sushi by gathering a chunk of rice, adding wasabi (which you'll need to grate yourself if you start running low), then choosing the correct fish to place on the rice. You then place the order on the belt to be delivered to the guests. There are also multiple drinks and desserts to serve, and you must keep up with it all in order to keep everyone happy.