Arthur's Thinking Games/Arthur's Math Games Value Pack
© 2000 The Learning Company
Two mediocre programs in one attractive package is what you're getting here. Arthur's Math Games is a set of six math and logic activities that offers a pleasant little diversion and not much else. Kids join Arthur and his buddies at a school carnival where they can play games. Five of the games have five difficulty levels each, creating a nice challenge range. These levels don't automatically adjust, however, and few kids take the time to switch from one to another. Included in the games is a lemonade stand where children count out the correct change. There's also a maze game and a prize search, both of which require logical thinking, and a bug sort that's a Venn Diagram activity in disguise. One last game lets kids count, add and multiply at the pick-a-duck pond. Finally, a "bonus" dance theater activity is tossed into the mix, letting kids choreograph Arthur's dance and paint scenery for the production. There's very little math-related material in these bonus activities. Arthur's Thinking Games consists of five rather unimpressive multilevel games, all hosted by characters from the Arthur book and TV series. There's a mummy maze game, a catapult shoot game, a music making activity, a hide and seek game and a quiz show that tests general knowledge. Kids are asked questions like "How many legs does an octopus have?" or "Who founded the American Red Cross?" In multiple choice format, children choose the correct answer from a selection of three choices. Unfortunately, the mediocre games seem thrown together and won't hold kids' attention for long. There is nothing innovative or exciting about them, and there is no incentive to keep playing.
Win, Mac OS (CD-ROM)
Teaches: logic, general knowledge, music, math, logic, counting, money, addition, subtraction