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Owning a pet can be an expensive business by all accounts. What with all those vet's bills and cans of Pedigree Chum, the costs of having your own furry little friend soon mount up. One way of overcoming this, however, is to adopt yourself a virtual pet - no maintenance costs, just a loving little pal to carry around in your pocket...

But hang on - something's not right here! These little critters come at about £25 a throw. And just what do you get for your cash? A collection of admittedly cute little creatures that you can love and care for, but ones that you don't even get to have a real-life wet-nose moment with. So the question is - is it worth it?

For those who enjoyed the charms of Tamagotchi pets, these two titles will hold plenty of appeal. You get to choose from one of three potential pets to start with, and there's a whole selection of items like food, treats and grooming tools, to play with. How hungry, well-groomed or affection-starved your little creature is can be observed in the Petz Status chart and, as a loving owner, you can nurture your little Tiddles or Rover to your heart's content. And when you've primed them to perfection, retire them to get more breeds!

However, anyone on the hunt for "real" entertainment should look elsewhere. There are virtual pets - you can play with them, you can feed them, you can even spray them with water, but they're a pretty expensive way of getting yourself a new friend. What *is* cool is that you can trade toys and pets via your Game Boy's infrared, but you're going to have to find somebody else who's forked out for this costly caper first!

Pets are amusing for one reason and one reason only - their disgusting personal habits! Oh how I've laughed when two little dogs get all excited about each other's rear ends!

Sadly, this essential element of pet life is completely missing from both of these games - and the graphics, sound and playability might as well be missing too! The game really isn't much cop.

Graphics 60%
Cute on occasions.

Sound 60%
Plenty of plaintive whining.

Playability 40%
Go play with a real pet!

Lastability 60%
Nurture your pet to perfection.

Overall 58%
A costly virtual friend!