Namco Bandai has released a few screenshots of forthcoming Wii title Tamagotchi Party On and it's so sweet it may actually represent a palpable threat to our teeth, and to the lives of incautious diabetics. Due out this Spring in the US (summer in the UK?) it's a Mario party-style board game with hard-hitting political undertones:
"Swing your Wii controllers and turn the whole planet into your playing board. Tamagotchi Party On! allows players to choose their favorite virtual pet and engage in a hilarious campaign to become the next president of Tamagotchi Planet. Earn your popularity by going up against three friends or solo in over 15 unique and totally addictive mini-games including shaking hands, finding lost children, and testing your public speaking skills! In order to succeed at each of these mini games, players will have to swing, shake, point, turn and twist their Wii controllers in order to increase their popularity."
I wonder if there's a bit where you have to waggle the controller in excatly the right way in order to lead Tamagotchi Planet into a doomed protracted war?
You do realise that if Wii wins - and by that I mean so totally dominates the videogame industry that Xbox 360 and PS3 shrivel up and drop from the shelves like wizened husks - this stuff will form part of our daily diet from now on: calorie-rich cuteness with great dollops of syrupy family fun.
In preparation, what is the sweetest, most winsome videogame moment you've ever had? For me - glimpses of Nozomi's romantic interest in Ryo from Shenmue. Not sick-inducing, but just cute enough to bring a lump to your throat.
