Activision to create Zhu Zhu Pets video game

The game will be released in spring 2010 in an attempt to capitalise on the hamsters' status as the "must-have" toy this Christmas.

The hamsters respond to touch and can explore their surroundings. The product has also proved popular with parents as a result of a relatively low price of around £10.

There was a recent scare over the toys after GoodGuide, a US consumer product rating website, warned they contained high levels of a toxic chemical.

The allegation was refuted by Cepia, who said the product had been passed as safe by European and US government standard tests, which GoodGuide did not use.

Cepia's marketing strategies and brand development director Natalie Hornsby said: "Ever since Zhu Zhu Pets exploded in popularity, launching a video game has felt like a natural fit in product evolution.

"We share our fans' excitement in bringing Zhu Zhu Pets to the video game space, and think this will help us reach more kids to engage in the Zhu Zhu Pets experience."

This article was first published on brandrepublic.com