Pocket Hamster Mania is the second game from developer CDO Apps
                Currently a French exclusive, there are plans for a major international release
                Collect over 50 cuddly critters, engage in 25 different activities and explore five environments at launch
            

Hamsters are the cuddly rodents of the animal world. A little smaller than guinea pigs, and less socially inappropriate than rats. It's little surprise then that they're such fond fodder for mobile and the subject of CDO App's Pocket Hamster Mania. So what's the appeal of this cuddly creature collector that's out now on the French app store, and planned for worldwide release?

Well, if you're expecting some bizarre new take on the creature simulation genre, you may be disappointed. In Pocket Hamster Mania, you collect hamsters - unsurprisingly - and have them perform fun activities to produce seeds, with certain hamsters better suited to specific activities.

Naturally, there's a gacha mechanic as well, but that's to be expected, and at launch Pocket Hamster Mania will boast over 50 of the cuddly critters to collect. Meanwhile, 25 activities spread over five environments give you plenty to unlock, with CDO Apps promising further incremental updates.

Hamster wheels

Considering this is CDO App's second release, I think this is an admirably ambitious route to take, as gacha is quite the saturated genre at the moment. Mainly because of the fact that, whatever you can think of, there's typically already a title for it. However, CDO seems to have come out the gate swinging with plenty of content to start off and plans for an international release well ahead of schedule. So I suppose we'll be keeping an eye on Pocket Hamster Mania, and seeing how it turns out if (or when) it does hit storefronts internationally.

Meanwhile, if you're looking for another recent release to scratch that cuddly critter itch, why not check out our own Will Quick's review of Hamster Inn to see what he thought of this adorable hotel sim where you run a home for hamsters, balancing active and casual gameplay.