I grew up on the CD-i and Nintendo Entertainment System – neither console had many kid-friendly games (aside from some on the CD-i that were localized in Dutch). This meant growing up on games like Super Mario, Zelda, and Kirby. These might be a bit too hard for one my age (back then), and I don’t remember if I did very well. Being a father of a little girl and seeing how quick kids these days get used to playing complicated games, this review might be a conclusion I don’t need to make. For those in search of a kid-friendly game (and not Fortnite), turn to Hamster Bob. For those playing Fortnite with their kids, turn to this article.
Bob the Hamster
Hey, look, it’s Bob! Hi Bob! Could you tell us something about yourself?
I’m Bob, Hamster Bob… I’m drinking a carrot smoothie – shaken, not stirred.
If you haven’t noticed yet, I’m a hamster with a big tummy and a huge sense of humor, or maybe it’s the other way round, anyway, does it really matter now? My passion is coloring. I hope that’s something we share! What is more, or maybe more important, I love children, and as far as I know, this feeling is fully mutual.
When your little rascals were still calmly traveling in a basket carried by a stork or were merrily jumping out of the cabbage, I was being born under the watchful eye of graphic designers and programmers. It’s not for me to say if they did it well, you don’t choose your parents after all!
I invite you to my world full of colors, fun, and interesting information. Get to know my friends and their adventures. We will learn about daily activities and visit other galaxies far away. Sounds interesting? Right? Then let’s start!
Coloring fun
Sure, my colleagues made fun of me when I picked up Hamster Bob. It’s a coloring game for the little ones, featuring Bob, the hamster! But what’s more, fun than coloring with your kid. My daughter enjoys bright colors and simple kid-like graphics. When I turn on Animal Crossing, she’s all eyes and ears (although she probably does not understand the complexity of the stalk market or the capitalist role of Tom Nook in the life on the Island). Hamster Bob was the perfect game to play with here, at least when she wasn’t trying to devour my Switch.
Hamster Bob & Friends
It’s time to set out on a fantastic journey together with Bob the hamster and discover a world that you will draw yourself. In the game, Bob will be your companion, guide, and friend with whom you can interact. He will help you understand the story and will keep you up to date about what you need to do and when you should do it. While playing, you will hear a lot of valuable, educational sentences. Bob will regularly remind you to draw and encourage you to do it!
And that’s it. The game is an educational journey in which you color, solve puzzles (how many apples are on the tree, etc.), and make friends. The game features a lot of different levels, smeared over five worlds. Each world is themed and has a specific age range at which the puzzles and coloring are aimed. Sure, my daughter was a little too young to understand the thought behind the game (since it’s entirely in English), but she understands how to touch ‘stuff’ on-screen and make ‘stuff’ happen. So the coloring parts were a big success.
Conclusion
If you are in need of some educational fun for a two/three-year-old, Hamster Bob might be the perfect game. It’s fun, challenging, and has enough innuendos to keep the adults entertained. Oh, and it’s just 4.99 and does not need ‘V-Bucks’ to be played (actual quote by my neighbor’s kid).
