Ping Pals is a social simulation game developed by WayForward for the Nintendo DS, released in 2004. The genre is communication simulation. Designed for a young audience, it allows players to create a customized avatar and chat with friends via the DS's wireless communication capabilities. Users can exchange text messages, play mini-games, and participate in various virtual activities to earn coins that can be spent on personalizing their avatar with accessories and clothing. Despite being one of the early titles for the DS, it was criticized for offering little beyond the DS's built-in PictoChat feature.