My Pokémon Ranch is a... well... game?

Hurm. Not exactly. My Pokémon Ranch allows you to take your Mii's and "Mii-d" Pokémon, place them together in an enclosed space, and sit back and watch as the fun ensues. And it really does, but it's more from watching the interaction of Pokémon and Mii Ranchers with each other and with the provided props than from anything else. Everyone in my house is at least a passing fan of the Pokémon games, and each of us get some enjoyment out of this game.

If it can be called a game. There's really not any "goal" or obstacles, other than the burning passion to "catch 'em all." And Ranch can help you do that, and offers some incentives when you catch different Pokémon on your DS, but you're not catching Pokémon in this title.

First, let's talk DS connectivity. My Pokémon Ranch allows you to wirelessly connect your DS Pokemon Diamond / Pearl games to the Wii and download Pokémon to the ranch - something the game actively encourages you to do. Personally, I have deposited 454 of my Pokémon into the game, just to have some storage space (anyone remember the "Pokémon Box" title for the GameCube?) When you connect, My Pokémon Ranch also scans your Pokédex and identifies which Pokémon you still need to catch to complete it. It then challenges you to grab those missing Pokémon and transfer them to the game.

Fair enough, you may say, but those Pokémon are missing for a reason. Ah, but for each of the Pokémon the Ranch is requesting, an in-game bulletin board system gives you directions on how to catch them. So, if you're stymied on how to get a hold of that Venomoth or if you can't find a Swinub to save your life, this game can help.

So, that's cool and all. Why else would I want this? Two words. Bragging Rights.

My Pokémon Ranch also takes a look at your Wii Friends list, identifies which of them have My Pokémon Ranch, and allows you to take a tour of their ranch, and for them to take a tour of yours. (Note - this is a feature that can be turned off, for those of you out there who prefer to do so.) So a good friend of mine can eat his heart out that I have both a Latios AND a Latias.

Incidentally, that friend also reports that his son and he have been using My Pokémon Ranch to practice their reading. The game's opening script is set, and they turn it on each day to see what Pokémon the in-game Rancher has brought.

All right - any other reason to plunk down 1,000 Wii points for this title? Oh yes, my friends. Oh yes indeed. It's sheer, unadulterated cuteness.

My wife, daughter and I have found ourselves occasionally watching the interaction of Pokémon and Mii's playing out like some kind of bizarre silent-screen sitcom. It's rated E for Everyone, with Comic Mischief. That Mischief sometimes entails the Pokémon playing with in-game props like the exploding "Burst Ball", or being launched out of the Poké-Cannon. (Freaked me out, the first time I saw that). Or just now, as I'm writing this, I just saw a Sableye kicking a Wurmple in an attempt to wake him up. Wurmples are apparently very heavy sleepers, at least this one is, because my Sableye gave up after a couple of kicks, and walked off. See? Hilarity easily the equal of most of today's primetime shows.

That Mischief sometimes entails in-game events where the camera focuses on one group of Pokémon doing something particularly interesting - like forming a living Totem Pole, or when all the birds fly in formation in the Sky Parade. Today, I've seen all the Jigglypuff in the ranch getting together to sing... which causes all the Pokémon who wander nearby to fall asleep.

And the game allows you to take snapshots of funny, interesting, or exciting moments, and save them out to your SD card to be manipulated in the Photo Channel or sent to your friends. (Or included in a review. See?)

But my favorite moment of all time has to be the moment when one of my flying Pokémon swooped down and picked up a Mii representing my Mother-in-Law, and carried her screaming around the ranch. Worth ten bucks? After that moment of "Comic Mischief", ten bucks is a bargain, believe me.

So, who's going to like this?
Pokémaniacs.
People who like cute things.
People who enjoy "Comic Mischief."