Go, Diego, Go! Safari Rescue (Nintendo DS)
© 2007 2K Play
This collection of 25 animal-related mini-games is a great starter title for the Preschool- and Kindergarten-age children. You start by choosing one of four games to play, and then choose from two game modes. In the Safari mode, the 25 minigames are hidden in a maze, along with 20 African Animals. Children use the arrow keys to explore the maze, taking pictures of the animals and randomly discovering the mini-games, which consist of a brief 15-second to one-minute test of skill that deals with helping the animal safari. There are giraffes with short necks, zebras with no stripes, tiny hippos or elephants that have turned into rocks; all the work of an evil magician. Players use the stylus to tap on a magic drum and drag obstacles out of Diego's way, and use the microphone to call an animal's name, or blow into it to propel a hot air balloon up the mountainside. As they fix the animals, their progress is saved in a photo book. In the Safari mode, children use a picture menu to choose any game. The background music can be overbearing (at least to nearby adults) and there is no option for turning it off. In addition, the instructions can be repetitive -- but these are minor issues. Progress is saved automatically. For a solid early childhood title that covers a variety of skills, from timing, classification, spatial relations, spoken language and Spanish, this is a good choice. See also Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves the Mermaids for a similar design, geared for girls. Created by Black Lantern Studios for 2K Play.
$30, Nintendo DS
Teaches: Spanish, spoken language, rhythm, animals, classification
CTR Rating: 88%