Bubbu – My Virtual Pet - Bubadu

App Review

This review of Bubbu – My Virtual Pet was completed by the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) on 9 September 2021.

About the app

This section contains details about the app provided by an ACCM Reviewer.

ACCM review

This review of Bubbu – My Virtual Pet contains the following information:

• The level to which the game was reviewed
• App description
• Reviewers comments
• In App purchasing
• Online information
• Gambling
• Advertising and product placement
• Gender stereotypes and sexual references
• Coarse language
• Game playing behaviour which may be of concern to some parents
• Other

The level to which the game was reviewed

Bubbu – My Virtual Pet was played until level 7 was reached.

App description

Bubbu – My Virtual Pet is an app that allows the player to care for a cat. The player attains additional levels depending on how well they care for the cat (feed, clean, entertain and put the pet to bed). As the player reaches new levels, different skins, clothing options and mini-games are unlocked for the player to use. The mini-games include a variety of puzzle and arcade games that are similar to Solitaire, 2048, and Connect 4. The player also gains an in-game currency throughout the game as they care for and interact with the cat.

This game is open-ended and has no clear end or aim.

Reviewers comments

Bubbu – My Virtual Pet includes frequent advertisements that come up as you engage with the game. These ads are quite sporadic and can come up at random times that interrupt game play (for example, when moving into another room of the house, when putting the cat to bed, etc). These advertisements are usually of other games from the developer however, some were not child content.

The app does not require any login information however, if a parent’s credit card details are logged in on the app store, the card becomes easily accessible for a child to use as no password is required to purchase extra in-app currency and it takes you straight to the credit card details that are used for the app store.

There are a few learning opportunities in the app, one being the mini-game called Solitaire. This mini-game involves the player using mathematical skills as they place cards counting up or down from 1-10.

In App purchasing

There is In-App purchasing in this game, examples include:

• Unlock all packs: $10.99 AUD
• Cooking Pack: $3.29 AUD
• Dream Pack: $3.29 AUD
• Art Pack: $3.29 AUD
• Spa Pack: $3.29 AUD
• No Ads: $1.59 AUD
• 50 Diamonds: $3.29 AUD
• 150 Diamonds: $7.99 AUD
• 500 Diamonds: $25.99 AUD
• 1000 Diamonds: $48.99 AUD
• 5000 Diamonds: $164.99 AUD

Online information

There is no online information required to play this game.

Gambling

At the time of review, the reviewer found no simulated gambling content. If you discover simulated gambling content in this app, please contact us with the details so we can update our review.

Advertising and product placement

There is advertising in this game, including:

• Advertising that is connected to rewards or incentives, for example, watch an ad to gain extra in-game currency.
• Advertisements that pop-up at random times (eg. after completing a mini-game). These advertisements are usually advertising other games from the developer.

The pop-up ads were not necessarily inappropriate, but some were not of kid content.

Gender stereotypes and sexual references

None noted.

Coarse language

None noted.

Game playing behaviour which may be of concern to some parents

None noted.

Other

N/A.

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