Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom
© 2009 2K Play
Continuing the legacy of well-designed early childhood titles, this side scrolling Dora adventure from 2K Play includes 12 minigames and an adult helping feature. To move Dora, you hold the Wii remote like a pair of handlebars, leaning left or right to move through the side-scrolling levels. After you sign in to one of the three game save slots, you help Dora and Boots locate missing crystals in order to restore color the village. Collected items are stored in your backpack. Other features of the game include the ability to play as Boots; a first for the series. Testers noted that the graphics quality could be better ("a bit pixelated") and the voice synching is crude at best. Another minor point -- the frequent use of the rumble feature in the Wii Remote shortens your battery life. There was also one frustrating bottleneck in the game, involving a trolley car that wouldn't work. These are minor points, however. All in all, this is an outstanding addition to your early childhood software library.
$40, Wii, PlayStation 2
Teaches: logic
CTR Rating: 94%