WiiWare edutainment hits Japan this month

by JC Fletcher { Sep 5th 2008 at 11:50AM }

Cable Entertainment announced a new WiiWare game for Japan, and it's already scheduled to come out in September! Kappa-kun to Asobou: Kappa-kun to Mori no Nakamatachi (Play with Kappa: Kappa and his Forest Friends) is an animated picture book with voice narration. The game, which tells the story of a young kappa who wants to become human, also includes simple quizzes about the material.

As totally hardcore gamers, we in the gaming community tend to look disapprovingly at young kids' edutainment, but we think that children's "non-games" on WiiWare actually seems like a great idea. It's cheap (600 points), can be purchased from home, and might encourage a few parents to share a story with their kids.

Tags: cable-entertainment, edutainment, kappa-to-asobou, picture-book

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

ramuji @ Sep 5th 2008 11:54AM

"...we in the gaming community tend to look disapprovingly at young kids' edutainment..."

Why? That makes absolutely no sense at all.

JC Fletcher @ Sep 5th 2008 12:01PM

It's just one of the things that gets people to yell things like "I WANT REAL GAMES COME ON."

Nintendo fans seem especially sensitive about appearing "kiddie," as well.

ramuji @ Sep 5th 2008 12:29PM

Yes, I hear the voices yelling about "real games" (an opinion I disagree with) and the "kiddie" image.

A game does not need to appeal to me personally or be designed for my "age bracket" to be worthwhile.
In fact, games designed specifically for children help to ensure the continuation of our hobby into the future.

Just sayin' ... ;)

ramuji @ Sep 5th 2008 12:33PM

"...but we think that children's "non-games" on WiiWare actually seems like a great idea..."

Well, it was probably a little unfair for me to jump on the "edutainment" quote, since you followed it immediately with the above bit. I agree with this bit, by the way, except for the "non-games" part.

:)