Smart Boy's Gameroom
© 2007 UFO Interactive Games
Here's a virtual preschool that fits in your pocket; one of the first and only developmentally appropriate preschool games for the Nintendo DS as of September 2007. There are 12 games, each represented by a labeled item in a playroom screen. Touching the piano, for example, leads to a one-octave keyboard, where you can play or record any song, as barking dog, an organ or a piano. At any time, a child can leave an activity to quickly get back to the main menu—there is no sign-in process or other complicated steps. More structured activities include a sound matching game, where you have five chances to match a set of car horns. Correct answers are marked on a large counter, from one to ten; a great early math experience. Time is represented by moving sliders, helping children understand where they are in each activity. One unique feature is the ability to enter the birthday of your mother or father in a calendar. Drawbacks include an inability to adjust the rather loud, low quality classical music; and some of the exit icons move around the screen—it would be better if they stayed in a consistent spot. Note that this game also contains gender stereotypes that some may find troublesome—in the whack-a-mole style counting game, found in both titles, the boys exterminate monsters while the girls feed hamsters. The game for boys features popular themes of airplanes, trains, space shuttles and cars and is designed for the youngest players. In most cases, all activities will appeal equally to either boys or girls. If you have a preschooler and a Nintendo DS in the same house, this is a good game to consider. Designed by Starfish-SD Inc. for UFO Interactive Games. See also the Smart Girl's Playhouse, Smart Girl's Party Game and Smart Boy's Toys Club..
$20, Nintendo DS
Teaches: memory, creativity, hand-eye coordination
CTR Rating: 92%