Where's Waldo? The Fantastic Journey
© 2009 Ubisoft, Inc.
Ubisoft's effort to bring classic picture books to the game console continues with this interactive adaptation of Where's Waldo, for one or two players. While the experience of hunting for Waldo — a little guy in a candy-striped outfit — started in Martin Handford's picture books in the 1980's, it is fundamentally different on the screen vs. the page, but the basic idea still works. Like many similar hidden object puzzles, the goal is to explore a busy screen in search of specific items. You start by signing into a game-save slot, and then choosing one of two difficulty levels (easy and normal). The DS version requires reading and the Wii version is narrated. Next, you're given a set of items to find. Because you zoom into one section of a mural-like scene, it is easier to find the hidden item. In addition, help is provided, making this a good exercise in visual discrimination for either younger or older players. Testers noticed that the graphics appear slightly blurry on the Wii version. Each scene is part of the fantastic journey story and contains Waldo and other items. In the two player competitive mode, you can splatter paint on your opponent's screen to obscure the view, cast thunder to make the screen shake, freeze the search window by encasing it in ice and so on. The bottom line? This interactive Waldo should not be confused with the non-linear book experience. As a hide-and-seek game, it is friendly to young children, and contains enough variety to keep things interesting. Borrow or perhaps even buy it. Created by Ludia Inc. for Ubisoft.
$30, Wii, Nintendo DS, Windows
Teaches: visual discrimination, classification
CTR Rating: 86%