GameZone writes: "The title says it all.
National Geographic Panda is a simulation game about taking care of a panda. The purpose of the game is to teach people about pandas, with a mixture of realism and fantasy elements. The result is a well-designed educational game that does a good job of teaching players about pandas. However, even with a few fantasy elements thrown in, this game isn't the most entertaining effort out there.
Players will choose a panda and name it after starting the game for the first time. Later, other pandas can be added. Once the panda is named, it's time to feed it. Besides food, there are toys that players can give to the panda. These items can be purchased in the shop or the mail order store, along with other items like accessories for the panda and decorative things for the panda areas."
WorthPlaying writes: "Every day, more and more animals are decreasing in numbers and being added to the ever-growing endangered species list. Among these animals are the blue whale, the Siberian tiger, the bald eagle, and the giant panda. I have a friend who is so obsessed with pandas that he's gone as far as making his password "pandadefender." I learned more than I ever hoped about pandas, thanks to National Geographic Panda for the Nintendo DS."
It's worth noting that National Geographic Panda for Nintendo DS comes with Secrets of the Wild Panda, a 53-minute DVD. Of course, National Geographic Panda isn't actually intended as an educational videogame. After all, the game does involve buying funny hats and cute clothes for panda cubs that never grow up. But since the bonus DVD is included with the game, Namco Bandai's title makes for an interesting proposition. It's a light but undeniably cute virtual pet game, and it's also a little bit of an educational opportunity. Oh, and there are pandas.
GamerDad writes: "A couple of years ago when visiting family in Georgia, we went to the Atlanta Zoo. The most memorable thing about that trip to the zoo is we got to see a couple of pandas real up close. They were just behind a glass wall, just inches from us. The male panda had his butt facing us the entire time, he was more interested in the long stalks of bamboo the zoo keepers kept shoving through a little window. But the female panda was more affectionate. She came right up to us and leaned on the glass while we made petting motions on the other side. As she sat down she looked up at us like how a dog looks at you when you pet it. Enough to melt your heart right there. Now you can interact with virtual pandas on your DS with National Geographic: Panda."
