Curious George
© 2006 Namco Hometek, Inc.
A classic example of poor design, this game lets players control Curious George as they jump, climb and swing through a maze of vines, bouncing platforms and narrow ridges. The goal is to collect bananas and find "curious points"—items that are used to unlock more content in the gift shop. There are 12 levels that are similar to many other explore-and-find video games. The PC version of the game (for which this rating applies) suffers from a rigid design and a long installation process. The console version is somewhat easier to use, but still is lacking in features and controls. For example, George frequently runs into invisible boundaries, such as the edge of a path, where he can't go. Ironically, this game does little to encourage your curiosity. Up to three games can be saved at once on the PC version. Stick with the console version, if at all.
$39.99, Windows XP (DVD), PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox, Game Boy Advance
Teaches: no formal learning value
CTR Rating: 37.5%