Gamertell

With all the promise and potential that the DSi brings, it is somewhat disheartening to hear that the first game created with the DSi in mind not only borders on shovelware but also isn’t an exclusive. Ubisoft has decided to immediately jump on the DSi boat with My Cooking Coach, a non-game cookbook similar to Personal Trainer: Cooking. The title may be in a transitional phase, as the game is being referred to online as My Healthy Cooking Coach, My Cooking Coach and My Cooking Coach: Prepare Healthy Recipes.

This isn’t a DSi exclusive game. The official press release notes that My Cooking Coach is going to be available for both the DS and DSi, and Joystiq learned from Ubisoft that it will be one game, playable on both systems, that will just have extra content for the DSi users.  An Amazon listing is available and shows a June 23, 2009 release date and a price point of $29.99.

As for DSi-exclusive content, there isn’t much. The DS version of the game has over 240 recipes. DSi users will have access to 10 more recipes than the DS users and allows people to take pictures of themselves in chef’s attire to add to an in-game profile.

While it is exciting news to already hear that a major developer/publisher like Ubisoft is eager and ready to back the DSi with games that make use of the additional features, it is disheartening to see that My Cooking Coach is likely to be the first DSi game. I’m sure the North American DSi early adopters didn’t purchase the system on Day One because they were eagerly anticipating a cookbook that would let you have your picture in your user profile.

Editor’s Note: This article was updated at 9:10pm CST, April 6, 2009 to note the fact that Joystiq contacted Ubisoft and confirmed that My Cooking Coach will be a cartridge that can be used with DS and DSi units, but have additional DSi exclusive features.