Reality shows have become a permanent fixture of American life. Everywhere you turn, it seems there is always another show trying to feed off the success of MTV’s “Real World” or CBS’ “Survivor.”

While reality televisions shows are extremely popular, they have yet to fully penetrate the realm of video games. There might be a few titles here and there, but the industry hasn’t seen the market saturation that currently makes television nearly unwatchable. However, I don’t expect it to stay this way forever. At least if Ubisoft has anything to say about it.

Hit the jump for Ubisoft’s next hot game.

I’m a big fan of cooking shows. I watched “Top Chef” religiously when it was on. No, it wasn’t just because Padma Lakshmi (drool) is smoking hot. I genuinely enjoyed seeing what delicious meals the talented crop of chefs could concoct (as I gobbled down peanuts).

When “Top Chef” wrapped up in June, I turned my attention to “Hell’s Kitchen” on Fox. The show, which stars world-renowned chef Gordon Ramsay, is not quality entertainment, but does have its own appeal. Whereas “Top Chef” focuses on high-quality food, “Hell’s Kitchen” is all about Ramsay cursing at chefs competing for fabulous prizes.

As “Hell’s Kitchen” recently ended its most recent season, I find myself in quite a conundrum. What am I to do when I’m not playing video games or surfing the Internet? Well, play more video games. That shouldn’t be too hard with my recent purchase of a Super Nintendo and “Soul Calibur IV” on the horizon.

However, I know one game that I will probably avoid. That game is Ludia’s “Hell’s Kitchen: The Video Game” for the Wii, DS, PC and Mac.

I initially imagined that such a game would consist of chefs failing miserably to satisfy a digital Ramsay and being subsequently taken outside and beaten to a pulp with swordfish carcasses. Now that would be a fun game. That is unless your character was the one getting flogged by frozen fish.

Alas, not only is the actual game nothing like that, but you can’t even be Ramsay. I cry foul.

According to marketwatch.com, “After executing the three phases of an order - preparation, cooking and service - Chef Gordon Ramsay will score each meal. As they progress through the game, players will be rewarded with access to recipes from Chef Ramsay’s own repertoire.”

That sounds great, but if there isn’t a recipe that makes Boo Berry cereal even more delicious, then I will pass.

Career mode is what you would expect. You start with a crappy restaurant and are given the opportunity to climb up the social ladder through hard work and perseverance. Since five-star restaurants don’t serve Easy Mac, you can expect the recipes to become increasingly more challenging.

If story mode isn’t your thing, then you can always try your hand at arcade mode.

Arcade mode, which I assume is like career mode sans the story and social advancement, is all about customer satisfaction. The premise is simple. As the chef, you must cook food that satisfies your customers. Failing to do so will result in a premature ending to your cooking career.

Why would someone think this is a good idea?

Get my take on the next page.

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