Review: Roundup: Pet Shop Toys

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When Ugobe folded, Pleosaurus electronicus became an endangered species. If Pleo goes, which fake pet will steal his hypoallergenic throne?

Roundup: Pet Shop Toys

Learn How We Rate ##### Wired

Sensors on either side let you connect Palz so they can interact. More products should involve puppies and kittens playing Whac-a-Mole.

Roundup:

• 1/10A complete failure in every way
• 2/10Sad, really
• 3/10Serious flaws; proceed with caution
• 4/10Downsides outweigh upsides
• 5/10Recommended with reservations
• 6/10Solid with some issues
• 7/10Very good, but not quite great
• 8/10Excellent, with room to kvetch
• 9/10Nearly flawless
• 10/10Metaphysical perfection

Paro Therapeutic Robot

Paro is a baby harp seal even a Canadian wouldn't club — mostly because it's too expensive. Under its furry coat lies a bevy of sophisticated sensors that make other animal bots look like mechanical bulls with toupees. This pup won't fetch or chew up your shoes, but it's the closest you'll get to the real thing and just as "Aww"-inspiring.

Zizzle Pet 'N Play Palz

Unlike their tribemates the Tamagotchi, the Palz don't require you to feed them or clean up their digital droppings. Instead, these handheld pixel pets just want you to interact with them onscreen. You play with a puppy or kitten, groom them, and take them on hunting expeditions. Unfortunately, the Zizzle lack enough sizzle to sustain gameplay for more than a half hour or so.

Hasbro FurReal Friends Cuddle Chimp

If you want a toy that responds when you touch it, leave the Cuddle Chimp on the shelf. We got very little love from the robosimian, even when we resorted to less affectionate prompting (we're not proud of that). It just seemed more like a stuffed animal with a tape recorder inside than a pet.

WIRED Just the right size for a young adult to hold. Cute banana bottle. Its cries are the most realistic among the pets tested and the volume is perfect.

TIRED Should respond when you pet it, FurReal. Arms are too rigid for a comfortable snuggle, despite what the name implies. Movements are repetitive and robotic.

$50, hasbro.com

Wowwee Alive Cubs Koala Joey

Joey promises "the technology of Hollywood-style animatronics" yet delivers mostly annoyance. Pretending this koala is real takes some serious mental effort, because its arms and legs don't move. It merely alternates between purring like a cat and shrieking as if being eaten by dingoes. If Joey was real and at the pound, we'd have adopted a different pet.

WIRED Volume control in Joey's ear lets you toggle between indoor and outdoor voices (thank Zeus!). Small enough to carry around. Impressive range of sounds.

TIRED Sheds as much as a real animal. Feels poorly made.

$60, Wowwee.com