Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (Wii Edition)
© 2009 Nintendo of America
Fast-paced and very easy to use, this side-scrolling one-player adventure turns you into the large, very strong ape known as Donkey Kong. Note that the first edition of this title was released in 2005 for the GameCube, using the bongo controllers. This edition does away with the drums, using the motion sensors in the Wii Remote and Nunchuk instead. As you jump, slide and swing your way through the exotic jungle levels, you find yourself jabbing sharply in the air to smash bad things, or flipping the Wii remote up, to hop up to a ledge. As you might guess, this takes a good deal of coordination; but, we noticed that this new "Play Control" edition is easier for younger children to pick up and play -- making this a good starter program. The graphics and sounds are pure Nintendo glee. Testers found it to be easy to learn, and hard to stop playing. However, the seasoned middle school testers made it all the way through the game in a single weekend. "For $50, we'd like more content." All in all, borrow or buy this well designed game.
$30, Wii
Teaches: music, rhythm, coordination, movement, kinesthetic coordination, spatial thinking
CTR Rating: 94%