Emergency! Disaster Rescue Squad
© 2009 Destineer Studios
Hard to figure out and full of instructions, this disaster squad simulation walks you through the steps involved with a serious car accident, forest fire, or earthquake. After you select one of the four gamesave slots, you see a map of the accident scene along with several screens of text explaining the situation. Your objectives are explained on the top screen; e.g., treat all casualties and put out the fires. You do this by touching a firetruck or emergency worker and selecting an action icon (sort of like the Sims). This indirect control system is clumsy, and it is easy to make mistakes. In addition, some of the graphics don't make sense -- for example, when putting out a car fire, the firefighter kept squirting the wrong part of the car. Twenty scenarios can be unlocked in order of difficulty, with up to 15 different types of emergency workers. This is a good idea, but frustrating to use. That's too bad, because younger children will be attracted to the topic. Created by Sixteen Tons Entertainment for Destineer Studios.
$20, Nintendo DS
Teaches: reading, emergency procedures, health
CTR Rating: 52%