"My 4-year-old niece loved getting it; that's something. ...It's a riddle any adult needs to answer all by themselves: what is the true value of a toy? There was a bright smile on her face when she opened it. That smile was worth any price. However: this toy, in itself, is not."

---from the review

-----------------

Feel free to contribute. As always, review submissions are accepted!

------------------

-------------

Sidebar :

-------------

No Sidebar comments for this review. Yet...

Fads are a tricky thing. The Pet Rock. The Rubik's Cube. Cabbage Patch Dolls. Tickle Me Elmo. Yet one and all did very little for your buck, did they...? It all makes one wonder what all the fuss was about. Most recently, I had to bid on eBay for a Fur Real Friend for my niece; the only toy she asked for by name. Much like your own niece or daughter, I'm sure, anything they ask for is a done deal. It should also be noted that she loved it. However: my own opinion? Pet Rock.

The toy's main sales pitch is that it's a real-looking kitten (fair enough) with various sensors to detect a child's interaction. Sensors on its chin, head, whiskers and back detect being petted there. Scratch its whiskers, and the head moves in that direction. Pat the head or pet the back and it curls its tail, arches its head, and purrs. A sensor on its tail detects anyone pulling its tail, leading to a 'hiss" from the cat. While the toy will "sleep" after a while to conserve batteries (3 C-sized batteries, sold separately), the cat will move all by itself for short periods, as its head fully turns and moves around, as if the cat was really getting its bearings. I guess for a stuffed toy that's pretty interesting.

However, there are limitations even the most biased cat-lover must complain about. For one thing, this is not a huggable toy, and in fact is quite hard in its torso; kids that would want to sleep with their new "cat" may be a bit disappointed. The head is also a bit sensitive and has a tendency to make an eerie "snapping" sound if even the slightest obstruction keeps it from moving. It's a bit odd that a toy that urges interaction has no huggable parts, and a sensitive head, to boot! Meanwhile, anything touching the tail leads to the cat hissing, even if the cat is simply being carried (which can be a bit annoying when a child just wants to carry it to their room at bedtime).

Of course, nobody can tell what toys will be interesting to kids. As a software development manager by trade, I was personally intrigued at new toys in 2002 like the Electronic Artoo-Detoo and Kasey the Kinderbot, though maybe that's just me. I'm left wondering how long a child can alternately pet this kitty to hear it purr, touch its tail to make it hiss, or scratch its cheek to see the head move, before boredom sets in. My niece and nephews would seem to disagree...kind of. My 4-year-old niece loved getting it; that's something. However, she doesn't so much as mention owning it, less than one month later; that's something, too. It's a riddle any adult needs to answer all by themselves: what is the true value of a toy? There was a bright smile on her face when she opened it. That smile was worth any price. However: this toy, in itself, is not.

Is this opinion biased? Maybe. As an adult, after over three decades of witnessing some pretty amazing toys advertised every year, one is bound to compare every new toy to 30+ years of experience. There are toys that light up, toys with digitized sounds, toys with motors, toys which change color, toys which make cotton candy (well, so the ad said; we could never get it to work), and toys that are washable. Wait, stop there for a minute: in case you were wondering, no, this toy is not able to be thrown into the washing machine, because it's electronic. Unless you can clean it with a wash 'n' dry, you're out of luck. Not to sound persnickety but when a toy's whole value is in continual petting, you would think it would be easier to wash. It would appear some jaded attitudes are justified.

Of course, for families with a girl who's pining for a kitty of her own, yet you're either allergic or not willing to change a litter box; this is a nice substitute. Indeed, there is little this "cat" cannot do that a real cat can. Well, it won't chase birds, use a litter box, nor scratch furniture, though who wants that? Such a well balanced ratio of reality-versus-fantasy is truly worth a thumbs-up...if only slightly.

 Click on picture to Order this toy.