EDITOR'S NOTE: At the time of writing, this US game has not yet been released in Europe.

Even though the PlayStation Portable technically isn't a kid's gaming system, that doesn't mean game that developers are going to overlook that segment of the market. This is particularly true in those cases when they can snare in a few fantasy-loving adults along the way to the cash register. In fact, SCEA has a couple of PSP games for the youngsters, including the recently released Neopets Petpet Adventures: The Wand of Wishing. Like last year's Neopets: The Darkest Faerie on PlayStation 2, the game is much more enjoyable if you're a fan of the long-running, ad-fueled Internet sensation that is Neopets. Heck, if Sony could reach that entire thirty million subscriber base with this entry, they'd certainly put a big dent in the side of the competition's portable battleship!

What's here is a pretty good Action RPG that could be compared to a kid-friendly version of Sony Online's Untold Legends or Champions of Norrath games. The visuals are clean and cute, the gameplay can be surprisingly challenging at times and there's even a multiplayer mode, if you happen to have like-minded friends who are also into Neopets. While the game isn't perfect, there's definitely enough here to keep the kids busy for a good ten to fifteen hours of good, clean fantasy-laced fun. That level of difficulty mentioned above should also make the game appeal to more hardcore chase 'n chop fans whoa re looking for an on-the-go diversion.

If you're new to Neopets, feel free to Google away at your leisure, but not during this review - I want you all here until I'm done, not ducking out to sign up for accounts and opt-in adware because I pointed you to your new addiction! Anyway, this latest Neopets game doesn't require pervious knowledge of the overly cute digital denizens of Petaria at all. The Wand of Wishing works wonders as a decent fantasy game, with plenty of the usual trappings found in deeper console and PC role-playing titles. Choosing from one of four characters, you hop into a single player adventure that's perfect for a long car trip or diversion from too much crappy TV. The usual good versus evil plot is at work here, but for a game geared toward the preteen set there's a lot of lengthy exposition in the text and dialog parts.

Still, the game shines right from the start, with a nice-looking intro movie to kick things off and plenty of faux gravitas throughout from some of the more intentionally pompous characters that lend the game a rich fantasy air. You can choose to play as one of four overly cute members of the Doglefox, Meowclops, Mazzew, or Krawk races, each with its particular strengths and weaknesses. True to action RPG form, you can choose from straight up weapons-based combat, lots of magic usage to cut down your beastly foes or a mixture of the two. Like any decent chase and chop, there's certainly no shortage of combat here; however, the game relies so heavily on fighting that the flaws in the gameplay tend to stick out a bit more.

As you progress, your Petpet will come into contact with citizens of Petaria that need quests carrying out, so a-hunting you will go for a good deal of the time, while the plot hangs over your shoulder, waiting its turn. Like the PS2 game, you're allowed a helper character (called a Petpetpet, in an obvious fit of under-imagination) that you need to feed in order to keep by your side. These cuter creatures aren't as fickle as the Petpets were in the PS2 Neopets game, but even thought they're quite helpful, this seems a bit silly when you consider the implications of a pet having a pet. It made me wonder just how far down the Neopet evolutionary scale does this go. I can see Viacom (the current master of all things Neopets) eventually coming up with Petpetpetpetpetpets at some point. In my overtaxed imagination, that particular game would be subtitled Fantastic Petaria Voyage and require some sort of expensive new electron microscope attachment for the PSP just to see what's going on in the subatomic gamescape... anyway, back to the review!

As you dispatch enemies, rather than gaining experience and leveling up like in traditional RPGs, you earn Neopoints that can be used to buy all sorts of necessary items to keep your fighter in tiptop shape. Given that the total number of weapons and items is over 800, the game certainly should appeal to those who like hoarding tons of gear. You can also meet up with and spar in different Battledomes located in the towns in order to gain skill points used for stat raising. It's a great idea, and dedicated fans of the genre (yours truly included) are going to like a lot. However, I can see some folks getting weary of constantly looking for new opponents outside of towns to afford the Battledome entry fees and the constant battling to get those skill points. For such a happy, bouncy, carefree world, there's certainly a heck of a lot of fighting going on.

Like Darkest Faerie on the PS2, The Wand of Wishing is a good game with ambitions that are a wee bit much for the console (or perhaps it needed a bit more time in the oven). While the action is frequent and even quite enjoyable once you properly level up, the map system can be problematic. There's no way to mark waypoints or quest characters on the map and the game world is quite large; therefore, if you've got a poor sense of direction, you'll be wandering around for a bit until you get your bearings. Since you're only given scant information on the map about people and places, it's all too easy to wander into areas with really tough enemies that can wipe you out with ranged or melee attacks. There's nothing wrong with great AI, mind you; the game is just a touch too merciless if you make a simple mistake. Additionally, if you're not careful you'll be saddled with a few too many sub-quests from folks who need your aid.

The controls are simple to pick up, although the action does stutter a little when too many characters and effects fill the screen. Finally, while you can buy or find items to equip in your belt, using inventory items or magic scrolls can be a mite tricky when enemies are converging on your cutecute avatar. Most of the time if you play it safe and take out enemies with ranged weapons or spells you'll do better than just leaping into the fray with a sword or axe.

Visually the game is solid, with the cute art and cartoon colors slightly reminiscent of the Spyro the Dragon games. Some areas hold up better in terms of the level of detail, but overall there's a clean, pleasing look to the game world that makes excellent use of the Neopets license. The maps are fairly large and par for the fantasy course; you'll see the usual themed worlds (fire, ice, desert, forest, mine, etc) that give the game a sort of fantasy world theme park feel. Lighting and spell effects are used very effectively throughout, making the game come to life in each new area. Characters and monsters are exceptionally cute - even the evil monsters that whack your Petpet a wee bit too frequently!

The sounds and music are nicely done; not too bombastic and generally pleasing to the ear. If you've played the PS2 game then you'll have a good idea of what to expect. In retrospect, that PS2 Neopets game should have been a top-down experience, as the PSP game actually plays better from this perspective. You also get a fun multiplayer mode that pits you against a friend in Battledome combat in over thirty different arenas. Here you can fight against each other in a three-round match just like the Battledome on the Neopets website. The game really didn't need any multiplayer action, but given the community aspect of Neopets, no multiplayer at all in a portable game was probably too big an opportunity to pass up. For what it's worth, it plays fine with not too much in the way of technical issues and is a nice diversion from the questing and collecting.

As a portable Neopets game, Neopets Petpet Adventures: The Wand of Wishing will definitely please fans of the hugely popular website, as well as most PSP owners looking for some on the go action that don't mind the overly cute content the game offers. Sony has a great potential franchise here if they continue to refine the gameplay and polish the visuals with each installment, and I'd recommend they take this style of top-down action to the home consoles as well, adding even more features. I figure they may as well push the PSP a bit more if there's a sequel, so here are a few suggestions from the peanut gallery: Add the ability for up to four players to join in, an improved map/quest tracking system and some sort of quick travel function, for starters. All this would make the overall gameplay experience smoother and even more enjoyable. Still, what's here is a great game to take along whether you're on the road to grandma's house or on the way home from work (and don't mind folks going "Awwwww" over your shoulder).

Reviewed by Greg Wilcox for AceGamez (All Rights Reserved).