GoldieBlox Adventures in Coding: The Rocket Cupcake Company
© 2016 GoldieBlox
Here's another mid-quality path programming app, of which there is no shortage these days. You drag and drop movement commands (e.g., left, right, up and down) to help Goldie collect cupcakes. Additional puzzles include speed sorting and pipe mazes. The mazes and puzzles are embedded in a story that features young girls as problem solvers and programmers. A nice message although the app would be much more effective with an improved user experience (UX) and a more compelling series of puzzles. In this case, the actual "coding" definition is stretched. While the app does present the concept of direction commands and debugging, the puzzle challenges are strange, and the mazes are cluttered with graphics that don't have anything to do with the code. In addition, the hints (which require reading) are removed from the context of the puzzle which are not helpful and can lead to frustration. Finally, the all important process of debugging is hindered by an inability to freely drag and drop the tiles in your program. Still, our testers were able to make it half way through the levels before getting frustrated, and enjoyed the overall challenge. The activity is a good spatial problem solving exercise. Additional content includes a set of videos (that includes GoldiBox commercials). The cartoon-style illustrations are playful but the rock music is well produced.
$2.99, iPad, iPhone
Teaches: coding, spatial thinking, logic, maps
CTR Rating: 76%