The console industry's Japanese heartland has long been big on all things cuddly and music that tinkles its way into your head (never to leave), and the Eyepet may well be one of the cutest things to ever pop out of your screen.

With a clear ancestry which names Tamagotchi and Nintendogs among its forefathers, the Eyepet is a simian-esque quadruped which hatches out of an egg and into your heart (aaahhh!!!).



The game's accompanying camera hardware allows your front room to become the pet's on-screen world, with you and, inevitably, your children cast members in the fun.

When you first appear on the screen, the grainy effect is a little disappointing, reminiscent of the camera on a four-year-old mobile phone, but once the pet appears, in glorious PS3 high definition, you are immersed.

You are guided through the early stages of hatching and grooming your pet by a kindly professor, who offers hints on everything from the best height for the camera to how to get the pet out of the egg.

Once emerged, the little fella bounces and leaps around the screen like everyone's dream puppy, responding to tickles, whacks and strokes with magical playfulness.

You are then free to feed, grrom, clothe, wash and play with him to your heart's content, unlocking new activities and games with the completion of each 'day'.

A major tool in the fun is a 'magic' card, which features a paw-print logo which is tracked by the system wherever it moves on screen. This means it can fulfil a variety of roles, from shower head to feeding bottle to cookie jar and more, requiring only that you keep the card's face pointed at the camera.

Later levels take the fun out of your front room, allowing your pet to fly a plane among other things, and you can even go online with your personalised pet and show him to the world.

It's great fun, technologically amazing and a complete hit with my four-year-old daughter. To hear more about what she thinks and see the game in action, see the video above.

9/10

Eyepet
Playstation 3
£29.99 with camera, £19.99 without (www.game.co.uk)

Review sponsored by Game - www.game.co.uk