The Educational Guide to Software, Electronic Toys, Video Games & Web Sites August 2008 Volume 16, No. 8, Issue 101 2Go PC Active Life Outdoor Challenge Adaptive Curriculum All Star Cheer Squad Animal Crossing: City Folk Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Ben 10: Alien Force Ben 10: Protector of the Earth BigIQkids.com Bob the Builder: Can-Do Zoo Claymation Studio 2.0 Clear Creativity In the Classroom Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force Command & Conquer: Kane’s Wrath Crazy Machines 2 Disney Create-A-Story Dizzywood DrawPlus X2: Graphics Studio Enemy Territory: Quake Wars EnVision Math Giggles: Computer Funtime for Baby - Nursery Rhymes Goosebumps Horrorland HotChalk.com I SPY Treasure Hunt (Leapster) Imagine: Master Chef Imagine: Rock Star iTeddy Kid-Tough Portable DVD Player Kidi Art Studio Know Your USA 1.5 LittleBigPlanet MatchMaster miJam Pro Air Drummer miJam Studio Mike Monster Lab My SAT Coach MySims Kingdom Nancy Drew: The Mystery of the Clue Bender Society Naruto: Clash of Ninja Revolution 2 Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2: The Phantom Fortress NCAA Football 09 Net Nanny 5.5 Outwit! PagePlus X3: Publisher Professional Paws & Claws Petz Crazy Monkeyz Petz Dogz Fashion PhotoPlus X2: Digital Studio PixelJunk Eden Professor Garfield (www.professorgarfield.org) Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party Rock Band Track Pack: Volume 1 Samba De Amigo Secret Agent Clank Sid Meier’s Civilization IV: Colonization Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution (DS) Star Wars Force Unleashed Teachermate Computer The Tuttles: Madcap Misadventures Ultimate Band Ultimate I Spy (Wii) Ultimate Wall-E UltiMotion Swing Zone Sports V.Smile Cyber Pocket V.Smile: V-Motion Active Learning System Venture Arctic Viva Pinata Pocket Paradise We Love Golf! WebPlus X2: Website Maker Wii MotionPlus Wii Sports Resort Wonder World Amusement Park Zoo Hospital Zoo Tycoon 2 DS What’s Next... A first look at the products coming this fall. What’s Next.... It’s amazing how the future sometimes snaps into Editorial focus. Like tea leaves, a glance at the 76 products in this issue provide an image of how our children’s futures will be affected by technology. I describe this with more detail on page 5, but here’s a preview. This fall, a high schooler can fill in the dots on a virtual SAT test on a Nintendo DS, with FutureU (in our next issue) or MySAT Coach on page 19. Or they’ll be able to relax with a game of Spore on their iPhone. Once the Warren Buckleitner bus arrives at school, they’ll pull out their wireless tablet computer and sign into Pearson’s Envision Math (page 16) or their science lesson on ASU’s Adaptive Curriculum (page 12), both new types of webdelivered textbooks. Parents at home are finding an increasing number of sites, like Professor Garfield (www.professorgarfield.org, page 10) that can playfully extend the school curriculum. After school, kids can play a chess-like game of history on their high-definition 1080p screen with Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution (page 24); a title that has migrated from the complexity of Windows to the simplicity of a game console. Or, they can take on their parents in Hasbro’s Family Game Night (Wii and PS2), a title that brings traditional board games like BattleShip to life. Little brothers and sisters can playfully explore school readiness concepts with more sophisticated TV toys, go sledding on their Wii Balance Board or take on mom in a wood chopping contest, with an axe that precicely mirrors your hand motions, thanks to the Wii MotionPlus. After many years of software watching, it’s fun to see the future start to happen. Enjoy the issue. Warren Buckleitner PS. You can see photos from this year’s E3 at my new FaceBook page: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=49907&l=e7f1c&id=742467906 TERMS TO KNOW (To stay smarter than a 5th grader) 1080p— The resolution, indicating the number of scan lines, in the category of TV screens commonly called “high definition.” Blended Basels—Textbooks that are designed from the ground up with digital media in mind. So students can access a lesson either from a computer screen or a printed page. XBLA—Short for Xbox Live Arcade. XBLM—Short for Xbox Live Marketplace. Wall, The—where you type messages, leave videos or make sketches on your friend’s facebook page. See www.facebook.com. Wii MotionPlus—An attachment that makes the Wii Remote more sensitive to motion. It plugs into the end. Coming next Spring. Your Key to 8587 Reviews Your paid $64 or $108 subscription to CTR includes exclusive password access to the Children’s Software Finder (TM) database—a collection of reviews going back to 1985. If you’ve lost or forgotten your password, please call 800-993-9499 between 9-3 PM EST. 2 August 2008 Volume 16, No. 8, Issue 101 EDITOR Warren Buckleitner, Ph.D., ([email protected]) [WB] MANAGING EDITOR Bobbie Nester ([email protected]) [BN] REVIEWERS Andy Barnett [AB] REVIEWS COORDINATOR Lisa Della Fave ([email protected]) [LD] CIRCULATION MaryBeth Griffith ([email protected], 800993-9499) ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTIONS cost $30 for the electronic issues only, $64 for electronic issues only with a password for the database and back issues, $108 for print & electronic issues including online database access. Issues are sent monthly. Send payment to Children’s Technology Review™, 120 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822 or call 800-993-9499. Other subscription options are available, including Print, Electronic, Site Licenses and Top 100 reports. Visit www.childrenssoftware.com, or call to learn more. PRODUCT SUBMISSIONS. Send two products, with release information to Lisa DellaFave, Reviews Coordinator, 120 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822 (Phone: 908-284-0404) EDITORIAL GUIDELINES. We want our readers to know that there are no ulterior motives behind our reviews. CTR follows a set of editorial guidelines found at (www.childrenssoftware.com/editorialguidelines. html). Highlights include: • We don’t sell software or profit from products that we review. Review copies of software are donated to Mediatech, a non-profit public technology center. • We don’t distribute/trade or sell subscriber information. • There is no advertising content. PUBLISHER INFORMATION Children’s Technology Review™ (ISSN 1555-242X) is published monthly for year by Active Learning Associates, Inc. Send address changes or new subscriptions to Children’s Technology Review™, 120 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822. Use of this publication for any commercial publishing activity without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. Readers are subject to the TERMS OF USE found at www.childrenssoftware.com/disclaim.html Entire contents © 2008 by Active Learning Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Directory Babies and Toddlers Giggles: Computer Funtime for Baby - Nursery Rhymes, www.giggles.net, p 16 iTeddy, www.vividimaginations.co.uk, p 17 Preschool & Kindergarten Bob the Builder: Can-Do Zoo, www.brightermindsmedia.com, p 7 Disney Create-A-Story, www.vtechkids.com, p 15 Kid-Tough Portable DVD Player, www.fisherprice.com, p 9 Kidi Art Studio, www.vtechkids.com, p 18 V.Smile Cyber Pocket, www.vtechkids.com, p 26 V.Smile: V-Motion Active Learning System, www.vtechkids.com, p. 11 Early Elementary Animal Crossing: City Folk, www.nintendo.com, p 13 Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, www.thq.com, p 13 Ben 10: Alien Force, www.d3publisher.us, p. 13 BigIQkids.com, www.spellingtime.com, p. 14 Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force, www.disney.com, p 15 I SPY Treasure Hunt (Leapster), www.scholastic.com, p 17 LittleBigPlanet, www.mediamolecule.com, p 18 MatchMaster, www.matchmastergames.com, p 9 miJam Studio Mike, www.b2stuff.com, p 19 MySims Kingdom, www.ea.com, p 19 Outwit!, www.scholastic.com, p 10 Petz Crazy Monkeyz, www.ubisoft.com, p 22 Ultimate WALL-E, www.disney.com, p 26 Viva Pinata Pocket Paradise, www.thq.com, p 26 Upper Elementary Active Life Outdoor Challenge, www.namcobandaigames.com, p 12 Ben 10: Protector of the Earth, www.d3publisher.us, p 14 Dizzywood, www.dizzywood.com, p 15 Imagine: Master Chef, www.ubisoft.com, p 17 Imagine: Rock Star, www.ubisoft.com, p 17 Know Your USA 1.5, www.knowyourusa.net, p 18 miJam Pro Air Drummer, www.b2stuff.com, p 19 Monster Lab, www.eidos.com, p 19 Naruto: Clash of Ninja Revolution 2, www.d3publisher.us, p 20 Nancy Drew: The Mystery of the Clue Bender Society, www.majescoentertainment.com, p 20 NCAA Football 09, www.easports.com, p 20 Paws & Claws, www.valusoft.com, p 21 Petz Dogz Fashion, www.ubisoft.com, p 22 Professor Garfield (www.professorgarfield.org), www.professorgarfield.org, p 10 Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party, www.ubisoft.com, p 23 Samba De Amigo, www.sega.com, p 23 Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution (DS), www.take2games.com, p 24 Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution, www.take2games.com, p 24 Ultimate Band, www.disney.com, p 25 Both full reviews and future releases are grouped by age. Ultimate I Spy (Wii), www.scholastic.com, p 25 We Love Golf!, www.capcom.com, p 27 Wii Sports Resort, www.nintendo.com, p 27 Wonder World Amusement Park, www.majescoentertainment.com, p 28 UltiMotion Swing Zone Sports, www.jakkspacific.com, p 26 Zoo Hospital, www.majescoentertainment.com, p 28 Zoo Tycoon 2 DS, www.thq.com, p 28 Middle School All Star Cheer Squad, www.thq.com, p 13 Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, www.sega.com. p 7 Crazy Machines 2, www.viva-media.com, p 8 Enemy Territory: Quake Wars, www.activision.com, p8 Goosebumps Horrorland, www.scholastic.com, p 16 Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2: The Phantom Fortress, www.namcobandaigames.com, p 20 PixelJunk Eden, www.us.playstation.com, p 22 Rock Band Track Pack: Volume 1, www.harmonixmusic.com, p 23 Secret Agent Clank, www.us.playstation.com, p 10 Sid Meier’s Civilization IV: Colonization, www.take2games.com, p 23 Star Wars Force Unleashed, www.lucasarts.com, p 24 Tuttles, The: Madcap Misadventures, www.legacyinteractive.com, p 25 High School Command & Conquer: Kane's Wrath, www.ea.com, p 15 My SAT Coach, www.ubisoft.com, p 19 All Ages Net Nanny 5.5, www.contentwatch.com, p 21 Wii MotionPlus, www.nintendo.com, p 27 Schools 2Go PC, www.ctl.info, p 12 Adaptive Curriculum, www.adaptivecurriculum.com, p 12 Claymation Studio 2.0, www.honestech.com, p 14 Clear Creativity In the Classroom, www.serif.com, p 14 DrawPlus X2: Graphics Studio, www.serif.com, p 16 EnVision Math, www.pearsonlearning.com, p 16 HotChalk.com, www.hotchalk.com, p 17 PagePlus X3: Publisher Professional, www.serif.com, p 21 PhotoPlus X2: Digital Studio, www.serif.com, p 22 Teachermate Computer, www.innovationsforlearning.org, p 25 Venture Arctic, www.brightermindsmedia.com, p 11 WebPlus X2: Website Maker, www.serif.com, p 27 An inside view of the Mediatech Foundation, where we test and archive our software. Visit www.mediatech.org for more information. CTR Editor’s Choice Selections, August 2008 Bob the Builder: Can-Do Zoo, www.brightermindsmedia.com I SPY Treasure Hunt (Leapster) www.scholastic.com Outwit!, www.scholastic.com Professor Garfield (www.professorgarfield.org) Secret Agent Clank www.us.playstation.com IN THE NEXT ISSUE.... As we go to press, we’re testing the titles below for next month. Have you used them? We welcome feedback: [email protected] Animal Rescue Carnival Games ConceptDraw 7 ConceptDraw MINDMAP 5 ConceptDraw Project 4 Disney Fairies Pixie Hollow Toys Drawn to Life: SpongeBob Squarepants Edition EyeClops BioniCam FutureU GamingKrib (www.gamingkrib.com) Geometry Wars:Retro Evolved 2 GoPets: Vacation Island Guinness World Records: The Video Game Guitar Hero World Tour Imagination Station, The Lassie Line Rider 2: Unbound MLB Power Pros 2008 Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer Naruto: Ninja Destiny Ninja Town Puzzle Quest Galactrix Rock Revolution Saving Planet Earth Shaun The Sheep Shonen Jump: Onepiece Unlimited Adventure Sims 2 Apartment Pets, The Star Wars: The Clone Wars The Price is Right Video Game The Sims 2 Apartment Life Expansion Pack TimeLiner XE Top Spin 3 Acknowledgments Thanks to the following individuals, including the members of the Mediatech Foundation, who contributed their valuable feedback during the testing process. Lorele Bennet, 15; Jenna Buckleitner, 13; Sarah Buckleitner, 16; Jared C., 2; Tyler C., 4; David Carr 12; Daniel Della Fave, 8; Nick Della Fave, 12; Kelly H., 11; Thomas H., 14; Mohamed (Mo) Farid, 13; Caleb, H. 9; Ethan H., 11; Tyler Griffith, 15; Troy Griffith, 12; Brett Griffith, 7; Jon Gick, 18; Michael Harrington, 14; Laura Henry, 14; Ellie Hilgen, 6; Erin Hilgen, 12; Matthew Kursa, 10; Frank Mondella, 13; Matthew Mondella, 10; Alyssa Mondella, 15; Keith Paternoster, 15; Greg Shriener, 25; Matt Ivans, 22; Austin Lyons, 15; Connor Lyons, 13; Owen Lyons, 8; Colleen Nester, 13; Ross Rackin, 12; Jose Rincon, 13; Steven Rofrano, 13; Tim Wolock, 16. Products are tested and stored for public access and research at the Mediatech Foundation (www.mediatech.org), 118 Main Street, Flemington NJ. 3 BALLOONS Up, up and away in Would you like to ride in a hot air balloon? Ever wonder how they fly? Do stray balloons really travel up to space? In this issue of LittleClickers, we soared around the Internet in search of answers. 1) How do Hot Air Balloons work? At http://www.eballoon.org/balloon/how-it-works.html you learn that hot air balloons are based on a very basic scientific principle: warmer air rises in cooler air. This site has a lot of general information about the sport of hot air ballooning. 2) If you held a few hundred helium balloons, could you take off? If they were big enough, they could, but don’t try it. At http://www.couchballoons.com/history you can learn about the world record holder for what is known as “cluster ballooning.” Another site, http://www.clusterballoon.org has even more information on the extreme sport of cluster ballooning. It is very dangerous, and you have to be a licensed pilot in order to do this. 3) How old do you have to be to fly a balloon? According to http://www.illflyaway.net/FAQs.html, you must be 16 years old to obtain a Private Pilot Certificate in the USA . 4) Can you fly around the world in a hot air balloon? At http://www.myhero.com/myhero/hero.asp?hero=stevefossett, you can read about Steve Fossett, the first person to fly around the world alone, nonstop, in a balloon from June 19, 2002 to July 2, 2002. 5) What is the largest hot air balloon? At http://www.energizer.com/energizer-bunny/hot-hareballoon/Pages/hot_hare_balloon.aspx, you learn that the Energizer Bunny Hot Hare Balloon, that is 166 feet tall, making it world’s biggest hot air balloon. Designed to promote batteries, the balloon’s 6 story hight is 15-feet taller than the Statue of Liberty. 6) What happens to a hot air balloon when it lands? Watch this home video on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owZONPuk2k8, and take a ride with a family as they follow a balloon until it lands. LittleClickers.com (this page and the associated site) is sponsored by Computer Explorers (http://www.computerexplorers.com). You can find html versions of this page, with links, at http://www.littleclickers.com. Neither CTR or Computer Explorers has any vested interest in the sites listed on this page. Librarians and teachers are permitted to copy this page for non-profit use. To report a bad link, please contact [email protected], or call 908-284-0404 (9 - 3 PM, EST). Links were selected by Bobbie Nester. 4 What’s Next... I by Warren Buckleitner n my line of work, I don’t meet too many rock stars. So when the legendary band “The Who” showed up as the surprise guests for a Rock Band press event at this year’s E3, I took the opportunity to find out if they had ever played Rock Band themselves. The answer came in their performance between songs, when guitarist Pete Townshend turned to singer Roger Daltrey and confessed, “My son was playing Rock Band last Christmas. I had a go at it, but just couldn’t do it. I need different colors!” An increase in Rhythm-base Play Along Music Games One can assume that in order to hire The Who, Rock Band must’ve sold pretty well last year. That also explains the wave of similar products. These include Rock Band 2 which will feature a drum kit with two extra cymbals and Activision’s Guitar Hero World Tour (www.activision.com) which will come with a new generation of wireless instruments made by Logitech. The guitar will have a touch-sensitive fretbar, so you’ll do more than just press buttons, and the drum kit will also have two additional pads to represent cymbals, plus thicker, velocity-sensitive surfaces. For the Wii, Disney’s Ultimate Band and Wii Music (www.nintendo.com) both will use Wii controllers to simulate the instruments. Wii Music will also work with the balance board for the base CTR game tester Andy Barnett tries the Rock drum. Finally, Konami’s Rock Revolution will include a six pad drum set that will plug into a Wii, Revolution drum kit. Below, a screen from Xbox 360 or PS3. MY SAT Coach (UbiSoft). SAT Test Prep Comes to the Nintendo DS The “curriculum in your pocket” trend continues thanks to multimedia cell phones like the iPhone (Apple), and new handheld devices like Leapfrog’s Didj (CTR, March ‘08) or V.Tech’s V.Smile Cyber Pocket (page xx). We were excited to preview not one, but two pocket-sized SAT test prep titles for the Nintendo DS; both well designed. Future U (Aspyr/Kaplan) and My SAT Coach (Ubisoft/The Princeton Review) will give high school students a fun way to practice on the bus ride into school. Game Shows Go Interactive Your new high definition TV is ideal for an emerging category of software we like to call “after dinner games.” These are multiplayer Wii, Xbox 360 or PS3 titles that give everyone something to do. This fall, Hasbro Family Game Night (Wii and PS2) is the result of the EA/Hasbro alliance, featuring Mr. Potato Head as the host in Connect Four, Battleship, Yahtzee, Boggle and Sorry. Ubisoft’s The Price is Right Video Game for Wii, Nintendo DS, Windows, Mac OSX is another example of a famous game show going interactive. So now you can bid on the products yourself (www.thepriceisrightvideogame.com). Another gameshow coming to the game console is Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Published by www.thq.com for the Wii, PS2 and DS, this game will test your trivia knowledge with 6,000 questions in 23 subjects, as you try to win the virtual $1 million jackpot, and get on the honor role. Finally, Sony’s Buzz! Quiz TV games are expanding to the PS3 and the PlayStation Network. New features include wireless buzzers and the ability to either make up or download custom question sets (www.myBUZZquiz.com). A Migration Toward Simplicty, from the PC to the Living Room Screen If you think about it, those 37” and 42” LCD TVs are nothing more than giant computer monitors. When combined with the next generation, Wi-Fi game consoles with hard drives, there’s no reason to install software on your desktop computer. After all, a couch is more comfortable than a desk chair. It’s only a matter of time before traditional PC games start to migrate to the living room. One example is Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution, for the PS3 and XBox 360. You can command 16 civilizations inspired from history, and try to lead them to victory over the others. 5 Above, a game of Connect 4 in Hasbro Family Game Night (EA). Below, a screen from Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution, running the XBox 360. What’s Next (Continued) New Ways to Be Creative, In School and At Home Many side-scrolling games come with some type of level editor but Media Molecule’s LittleBigPlanet for the PS3, is the reverse. You are the game designer, with tools that let you create exotic worlds — not unlike an easy-touse level editor. Since we first saw the game last year, it has continued to evolve with more features and controls; plus an online component where you can share your creative ideas with others, or download their levels. Sony, the publisher, clearly hopes that this experience will turn into a sort of "endless game,” like Spore. For schools, new creativity tools include Animation-Ish (FableVision, now available) for the creation of moving images and flip books and Timeliner XE (www.tomsnyder.com/timelinerxe, coming in August), the long-awaited, Web 2.0 friendly edition of an essential utility. We’re also looking forward to reviewing HyperStudio 5 (Software MacKiev, promised this fall) with a Macintosh version that will be integrated with iTunes, iMovie and iPhoto. Above, a screen from the newest version of LittleBigPlanet (Media Molecule). Below, a screen from Adaptive Curriculum. Blended Basals I know, basals (or textbooks) are about as exciting as tax forms. But they’re still used everyday in just about every classroom, so it’s important to watch their evolvution. The digital counterpart to the printed Envision Math textbook series, EnVision Math (http://www.envisionmathtexas.com, for K-6) is being called a "blended" curriculum — meaning the designers started from scratch, designing for both print and interactive media at the same time. So if a child opens a book to page five and sees a set of animals to measure, she'll see the same animals on her computer screen. Adaptive Curriculum is another web-based approach. Made in Flash it contains two years worth of middle school math and science lessons, designed by ASU's Technology Based Learning and Research (TBLR) department. Do you design interactive media for children? Review the year with the best minds in the business, at the eight annual Dust or Magic institute. What: A first-person critique of children's interactive media products. When: November 2-4, 2008 Where: Lambertville, NJ, The Inn at Lambertville Station. Everybody’s Moving Finally, this year’s E3 was full of motion as product managers demonstrated games like Outdoor Challenge (www.namcobandaigames.com), designed to engage your whole body in river rafting, mine-cart racing or log jumping, and two cheerleader games, We Cheer (Namco) and All Star Cheerleading Squad (THQ, pictured above) both games that could not exist without the Wii controls. Another game that made quite an impression was Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party (UbiSoft) which was described as 65 short games of skill, for 1-4 players. Your object is to win in a TV game show, by getting a better score than your friends. There’s a sledding game that uses the Wii Balance board as a type of sled (you ride on a cow, if that makes sense). As you careen down the hill, you steer by shifting your weight while seated on the balance board. The other players try to knock you off balance by hurling snowballs at you with their Wii Remotes. Ubisoft is calling this the "the first video game you control with your butt." And that’s as good a place to end as any. Remember: These are future releases and details can change. Check the Children’s Software Finder for the latest information. 6 Who: Chris Byrne, The Toy Guy; Claire Green, Parents' Choice Foundation; Mark William Hansen, The LEGO Group; Kathleen Kremer, Ph.D., Fisher-Price; Debra Lieberman, UC Santa Barbara and Health Games Research; Robin Raskin, Author & Blogger and creator, Kids at Play, Scott Traylor, 360KID; and the CTR staff. Register Online: www.dustormagic.com Feature Reviews AUGUST 1, 2008 Here's an alphabetical listing of new products, along with a full review, ratings and tester feedback. The "Entry Date" refers to the date we first learned of the product. Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Ease of Use 7 Ever dreamed of being in the Olympics Games? Modeled after 35 of the actual events Educational held this summer in Beijing, this simulation lets you pretend to try on the shoes of athletes Entertaining like Amanda Beard or Tyson Gay. There are both one or two-player games, and younger children will need help with Design Features some of the events. Also, testers found some of the game mechanics — such as with a few Good Value of the running games that require fast "machine-gun" key presses — to be too repetitive. Online play will allow you to compete against players from around the world. ESRB Rating: Everyone Content includes 30 official events and national teams in 10 authentic-looking stadiums, including track and field, aquatics, gymnastics, cycling, judo, table tennis and canoe-kayak. In the Olympic Games mode, players will organize their daily schedule and customize their national teams with agility, power, stamina and speed for competition. There are a variety of controls across all events, including a time-based system where timing, power, and angle are essential, a rhythm-based method that requires increasing and sustaining speed, and a targeting system to aid players in accurately hitting targets. The bottom line? Borrow it. The game was created for Sega by Eurocom Entertainment Software www.olympicvideogames.com. PC version is $30. Details: Sega of America, www.sega.com. Price: $50. Ages: 10-up. Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows. Teaches/Purpose: sports, the Olympics. Rating (1 to 5 stars): 4.1 stars. Entry date: 7/8/2008. [WB] Bob the Builder: Can-Do Zoo 9 9 8 8 Ease of Use 9 Available either as a download or via CD-ROM, this collection of seven activities for Educational 9 one player is easy to play, and serves up a nice dose of matching, sorting and building Entertaining 10 with virtual blocks by way of some clever design. The narration can be a bit chatty for our taste, and the content seems limited. These are minor problems, however, especially if Design Features 9 you live with a young Bob The Builder fan. Good Value 9 In the story mode, children are told the story of a train that has delivered animals for the Bobland Bay Zoo. Since there is no zoo yet, monkeys have taken over the school ESRB Rating: Everyone playground and alligators are in the swimming pool. Your job is to help Bob and his CanDo Crew build the zoo and make homes for all the animals. The game features seven simple activities that involve noticing patterns, shapes and colors. For every game that is played, you earn a sticker for your open-ended sticker book. The game can be played in both English and Spanish. Note that the game is available now as a download or as a CD (coming September). Created by Game Lab for Brighter Minds Media. If you have a preschooler, this is a safe choice. Details: Brighter Minds Media, Inc., www.brightermindsmedia.com. Price: $20. Ages: 3-6. Platform: Windows, Mac OSX. Teaches/Purpose: numbers, shapes, colors, classification, problem solving . Rating (1 to 5 stars): 4.6 stars. Entry date: 7/15/2008. [WB] 7 82% 92% FEATURE REVIEWS, AUGUST 1, 2008 Crazy Machines 2 Ease of Use 6 This third Crazy Machines game offers great graphics, a set of new challenges, and a Educational collection of 200 types of pulleys, ramps and exploding balls that must be dragged and Entertaining dropped into place. The goal is to set the objects in motion in order to meet the requirements of the puzzle (for example, to land a blimp in a landing zone or to get a Design Features bowling ball to break a vase). Good Value New tools include wrecking balls, lasers, and lightning rods on puzzles set in Egypt, the Caribbean, and outer space. You can create your own challenges and post them ESRB Rating: Everyone online, where you can compete for trophies and high ratings. Content includes 200 elements. Unfortunately, like the last edition, the design is less than elegant. In the easy levels, the instructions are too long, and the screens are cluttered with complexity. Still, the concept is a good one, and the puzzles do a good job of presenting a challenge. Created by Novitas/FAKT for Viva Media, LLC. Details: Viva Media, www.viva-media.com. Price: $20. Ages: 10-up. Platform: Windows. Teaches/Purpose: logic, cause and effect . Rating (1 to 5 stars): 4 stars. Entry date: 7/8/2008. [WB] Enemy Territory: Quake Wars This multiplayer team shooter is a fun, well-polished game that doesn't really offer anything new. In the story, there are two teams, the GDF (humans) and the Strogg. The Strogg are invading Earth to repossess all the life on it and feed their expansion. This is pretty much all of the story line that the game has, and is explained by a short and entirely skippable introduction movie. Each team has access to five classes. Although they have different names, they are otherwise identical: The Soldier/Aggressor, Medic/Technician, Engineer/Constructor, Field Ops/Oppressor, and Covert Ops/Infiltrator. The best is the Field Ops/Oppressor class, which specializes in deploying artillery pieces, and then calling in strikes on select targets. Other than that, it's a pretty standard-fare game. There are slight variations in weaponry between the two sides, and while the guns don't need to be reloaded, they can overheat — which plays into the problem solving. The maps are useful because they clearly spell out the challenge. Overall, the game delivers a very solid, enjoyable performance, but delivers nothing new. Teenage gamers who are looking for a shooter should buy it; but those happily playing another shouldn't bother. Produced by id software for Activision. Price is $60 for PS3 and Xbox 360 and $35 for PC. Details: Activision, Inc., www.activision.com. Price: $60. Ages: 14-up. Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows. Teaches/Purpose: logic, collaboration. Rating (1 to 5 stars): 4.3 stars. Entry date: 6/10/2008. [AB] 8 9 8 9 8 Ease of Use 9 Educational N Entertaining 10 Design Features 7 Good Value 8 ESRB Rating: Teen 80% 85% FEATURE REVIEWS, AUGUST 1, 2008 Kid-Tough Portable DVD Player This portable DVD/CD player may be indestructible, but the small screen, weak batteries and clumsy form should be taken into consideration. Let's start with the obvious. This device is designed to survive in a battlefield, or a home daycare — whichever is worse. Its large rubbery edges cushion a fall, and the kick-stand style legs are designed to snap off (and back on) repeatedly. The built-in handle makes it easy for a child to lug it around the room, and the recessed screen makes it harder to smudge or scratch. In addition, the dual-rail DVD drive has an anti-skip buffer, and the navigation controls are on the front of the console, so there's no remote control to worry about, or to lose. The buttons look as if they can survive a dosing in juice, although we didn't test this. We're not convinced that the clamshell design is the best for use with preschoolers, because the lever that opens the lid can be bumped — which could prematurely end a movie. Compared to similarly priced portable DVD players ($150), the 3.2" color TFT screen seems very small, making it hard to read printed menus or share with another child. The stereo speakers sound great in a quiet room, but are hard to hear in a moving car or noisy classroom — even at the highest setting. Plus, there's just one headphone jack; again a detriment to movie-sharing. In addition, the rechargeable batteries only last two hours, and run out with no warning — not good if you're in the middle of a movie and are four years old. The good news is that you can plug the DVD player into a TV using the videoout jack, making it possible to transfer a movie from a TV to the car, and vice versa. The player comes in pink or blue. There's no doubt that this DVD player can survive a drop, and it could be useful when plugged into a TV or classroom projector. But 'kid-tough' is only so good if it means the movies are hard to see or hear. Details: Fisher-Price, Inc., www.fisher-price.com. Price: $150. Ages: 3-up. Platform: DVD player. Teaches/Purpose: P, K, 1, 2. Rating (1 to 5 stars): 3.6 stars. Entry date: 2/7/2008. [WB] MatchMaster What's the size of an egg, runs on batteries, comes in pairs, and annoys nearby adults? MatchMaster, an LCD game that uses an infrared connection to transfer content between the two units. The idea is good, but the implementation is horrible. The game lets you manage a soccer player's health, fitness and nutrition, to help children better understand how these elements can affect how a player does. Players can then test their skills by playing seven crude LCD games such as The Wall (kick the ball against the wall to destroy bricks); Shuttles (run left and right before time runs out); Sprints (run as quickly as possible); Dribble (avoid the cones and head the balls); Passing (pass the ball into your teammate's path to knock it into the net); Penalty (place-kick the ball into the goal), and Free Kick (kick the ball over the wall of defenders to score). By getting the best score in each game, you increase your lifeline points. To play with a friend, you point the infrared sensor at your opponent to play four additional games. If your player gets injured, you cannot play any of the games until you visit the "physio", but you must still carry out your daily routines. Since both Nick (12) and Daniel (8) play soccer, they were eager to play these games. However, they quickly wanted to "smash them against a wall" because their players kept getting injured, no matter what they did. Then, because they didn't know what else to do, they kept resetting the game. Also, one of the games won't shut off, so even though it hasn't been played for two weeks, it still beeps — for no apparent reason. There are much better ways to spend $20 (or $40 for two for the multiplayer). Buy a "real" soccer game, or go outside! Details: MatchMaster, www.matchmastergames.com. Price: $20. Ages: 8-up. Platform: Smart Toy. Teaches/Purpose: soccer, sports. Rating (1 to 5 stars): 1.3 stars. Entry date: 7/15/2008. [LD] 9 Ease of Use 8 Durability 10 Battery Life 3 Design Features 7 Good Value 8 72% Ease of Use Educational Entertaining Design Features Good Value 26% 2 1 3 3 4 FEATURE REVIEWS, AUGUST 1, 2008 Outwit! Easy to play and extremely educational, this is a collection of 15 timed sorting and logic puzzles that take advantage of the Leapster Touch screen. The games are comparable to Brain Age in some ways, but are much easier and better suited for younger children. There are three memory games, such as Melody Maker (touch the keys of a piano to repeat a song by memory, like Simon Says), that deliver well-designed logic and sorting practice. Visualization games ask children to race to identify a letter that is gradually revealed, or to combine puzzle parts to make a picture (like Tangrams). Comparing games include Odd Ball (look at four objects to identify which is different) or Size Wise (tap the items shown on the screen, from smallest to largest). Matching games include Mix and Match (look at a grid to find two of the same pictures) or Open Sesame (open doors with the stylus to find pairs of creatures, like Concentration). Finding games include Pattern Picker (complete a sequence by touching the next item in order) and Snake Snack (press the arrows to move a snake to her dinner, by counting the number of squares). As you might expect, some of the games are better designed than others, but there's a lot of excellent choices, and it is easy to get into a new game. You can play as a guest, or with one of three player profiles, which bookmarks progress on the cartridge. This cartridge is also Leapster2 compatible, meaning it can be connected to Leapfrog's Learning Path. The content looks and plays the same on either system. Details: Scholastic, Inc., www.scholastic.com. Price: $25. Ages: 5-7. Platform: Leapster. Teaches/Purpose: logic, memory, number, classification, sorting, math. Rating (1 to 5 stars): 4.8 stars. Entry date: 5/29/2008. [WB] Professor Garfield (www.professorgarfield.org) How does a famous cartoonist approach a national literacy problem? He starts a website, that's how. A collaboration between Jim Davis, the creator of Garfield (the cat), and Ball State University's Professor Garfield is a well designed collection of games and teaching ideas. It is the idea of cartoonist Jim Davis. Other content comes from Pearson's Knowledge Box curricula, for pre-K through 6th grade, the Schwab Learning Foundation's Sparktop.org site (with resources for children with learning and attention problems), NIH modules on getting enough sleep, and Scholarship America web content -- designed to motivate middle and high school students to get ready for college. Music on the site was prepared by singer Red Grammer. All in all, this is a nice collection of higher quality content that seems free of any underlying motives. It is worth a second look. Details: Paws, Inc., www.professorgarfield.org. Price: $free. Ages: 4-12. Platform: Windows, Mac OSX, Internet Site. Teaches/Purpose: math, reading, science, health, attention deficit syndrome. Rating (1 to 5 stars): 4.6 stars. Entry date: 7/8/2008. [WB] Secret Agent Clank This one-player game for the PSP is the newest game in the Ratchet & Clank series and features Clank as the Galaxy's greatest undercover agent. In the story, Ratchet is locked in a maximum security prison for a crime he didn't commit, and you must follow Clank as a secret agent and prove Ratchet's innocence. Using stealth, puzzle solving, combat, and a variety of clever weapons, you follow clues and gather evidence. There's a good deal of problem solving in these games, plus some fun creativity. You will also play as Ratchet, receiving weapons from Clank to help you stay alive in prison. Other playable characters include Captain Qwark and Gadgebot. The game features weapons and gadgets such as the Tanglevine Carnation, Cufflink Bombs, and the deadly Tie-A-Rang — as well as spy vehicles such as sport cars, speedboats and snowboards. Details: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., www.us.playstation.com. Price: $40. Ages: 10-up. Platform: PSP. Teaches/Purpose: logic, strategy, puzzle solving. Rating (1 to 5 stars): 4.4 stars. Entry date: 5/13/2008. [WB] 10 Ease of Use 9 Educational 10 Entertaining 9 Design Features 10 Good Value 10 96% Ease of Use 8 Educational 10 Entertaining 9 Design Features 9 Good Value 10 92% Ease of Use 8 Educational N Entertaining 10 Design Features 9 Good Value 8 88% ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+ FEATURE REVIEWS, AUGUST 1, 2008 V.Smile: V-Motion Active Learning System There's been an increase in motion-sensitive wireless controllers like the one included with the V.Smile: V-Motion Active Learning System available at www.vtechkids.com. The $70 educational gaming console plugs into the A/V jacks on your TV set and plays past titles. The responsive 2.4 GHz controller detects motion on an x, y, and z axes, plus there's a joystick for the traditionalist. Nearly all the games have two player modes, although you'll need to purchase a second controller, or you can use one from an older V.Smile console. This year's V.Smile editions employ a sneaker-network web connectivity by way of a customized USB drive that you plug into your Windows computer. Once you've logged in, you see your child's scores, compared with others, in thrillers like Street Race, Bobsled or Bouncing Ball — games that let you sort, count or spell with a lean to the left or right. You can also choose to use the joystick if you want, which we found is easier to use in some games. One game is included; others are $25. The console is battery powered (4AAs), and a $10 AC adapter is recommended. The games are tedious but addicting; a reminder that when learning facts, a spoon full of sugar and perhaps a quick lean to the left can help the medicine go down. Details: VTech Electronics North America, www.vtechkids.com. Price: $70. Ages: 3-7. Platform: Smart Toy. Teaches/Purpose: math, reading, science, spelling. Rating (1 to 5 stars): 4.3 stars. Entry date: 7/7/2008. [WB] Venture Arctic Ease of Use Educational Entertaining Design Features Good Value 9 9 8 8 9 Ease of Use 8 Did you know that a Caribou can migrate up to 1600 miles in a year? That's just one of Educational the dozens of interesting facts embedded in this clunky, but fun one-player simulation Entertaining about the Alaskan Tundra. Designed for Windows, this game lets you create and maintain the ecosystems of the Design Features Alaskan Tundra through four seasons. After you sign in (progress is saved) and learn Good Value how to move around the 3D world, you are given a challenge — such as to save a Caribou. In order to succeed, you must tinker with the environment by adding or melting ESRB Rating: Everyone snow, helping animals fall in love in the spring, or making them sick in the fall — it's all about balance, you see. For example, without snow in the Winter, you don't get grass in the spring, and then animals start to die. Content includes 22 types of animals such as polar bears, bowhead whales, arctic wolves, and orcas. If you move your cursor over any animal, you learn facts about it, such as its age, how much fat is on its body, or how much energy it has. Players can also experiment with extinction and deforestation while keeping the interests of the wildlife in mind. There are Normal and Kid challenge levels. Note that a good deal of reading is required, plus some of the content, such as the discussion about animal spirits, is not really scientific. This simulation could be useful for classroom use — despite it's clunky navigation and strange background music — to discuss such concepts as extinction or climate change. Developed by Pocketwatch Games in the Torque Engine (www. pocketwatchgames.com) for Brighter Minds Media, Inc. Details: Brighter Minds Media, Inc., www.brightermindsmedia.com. Price: $20. Ages: 8-up. Platform: Windows, Mac OSX. Teaches/Purpose: Science, maintaining life, ecosystems, reading. Rating (1 to 5 stars): 4 stars. Entry date: 7/16/2008. [WB] 11 86% 9 7 8 8 80% New & Future Releases AUGUST 1, 2008 This section contains a listing, with notes, on products currently being reviewed or being considered for a review. Some of these may appear in upcoming issues following further testing. 2Go PC Designed for school/student use, these wireless Windows computers look nearly identical to Intel's ClassMate PC. Features include a 40 GB hard drive, the Celeron M 900MHz Processor, 512 MB of RAM, 2 USB ports, and batteries rated at 3.5 hours. Contact www.ctl.info for more information. The operating system can be either Windows XP or Linux, depending on school needs. Note that this computer is designed to be purchased in large numbers at a low price. It is not a consumer computer. Details: Computer Technology Link, www.ctl.info. Price: $400 and up. Ages: 5-up. Platform: Windows. Teaches/Purpose: a windows-based computer. Entry date: 7/19/2008. 12 Active Life Outdoor Challenge Here's a 12-pack of Wii games for one or two players, all based on outdoor themes. In a unique twist, the games use a special "Active Life Mat" that plugs into one of the game controller ports, so a player might use her feet to roll a log, along with the Wii Remote, to keep balance. Activities include river rafting, a mine-cart adventure, log jumping, see-saw, jump rope, water trampoline and so on. Coming September 9, 2008, from www.namcobandaigames.com. Details: Namco Bandai Games America Inc., www.namcobandaigames.com. Price: $call. Ages: 7-up. Platform: Wii. Teaches/Purpose: gross motor coordination, fine motor coordination. Entry date: 7/31/2008. 12 Adaptive Curriculum I had the chance to sit down briefly with Peter Rolero, one of the principle authors of this new web-based math and science curriculum for middle schoolers. Dr. Rolero is a science professor at ASU, which is one of the reasons I was interested in this generic-sounding curriculum. He joins Gary Bitter, another veteran of ISTE and educational technology, as contributor. The $10 per year per child package is web delivered (from outside the school) and the lessons are designed in Flash, so students can have access from any web-based browser. My first question to Peter was, "What sets this curriculum apart from all the others?" "There are no stick figures in these graphics," he said, showing me a Flash-based science unit dealing with cooperative organisms, where you apply what you learned by cleaning the teeth of a Nile crocodile by moving a Plover bird around the screen (those are the little birds with a death wish, that freely go in and out of a crocodile's mouth, eating bits of old meat). At the end of the lesson, you get a five-question test, and if you master the content, you move to the next unit. There's enough content for two lessons per week, and only math or science are covered. At any time, teachers can log in and manage the content. The curriculum is the work of ASU's Technology Based Learning and Research (TBLR) department and is distributed and sold by Sebit, part of a technology incubator called Skysong. Details: Sebit, LLC, www.adaptivecurriculum.com. Price: $10/student/year and up. Ages: 11 -15. Platform: Windows, Mac OSX, Internet Site. Teaches/Purpose: science, math. Entry date: 7/31/2008. 12 12 Aut Edi Aut Edi Aut Edi NEW & FUTURE RELEASES AUGUST 1, 2008 All Star Cheer Squad The Wii version of this movement simulator is designed for one to four players, as they participate in the competitive sport of "Cheer" (combining traditional cheerleading with squadbased teamwork). For the Wii version, you take the Nunchuk in one hand, the Wii Remote in the other, and as an option, step on/off the Balance Board. Note that it helps to have a cordless Nunchuk, because the wire keeps moving around. You are represented as one of the members of a four-person squad, and you're scored for your moves, which are shown — Dance Dance Revolution style — on the bottom of the screen (you match moving movement icons as they scroll across the bottom of the screen). Doing this takes coordination. The Wii Balance Board, which is optional, can be used by one player to perform real routines designed by Tony G. (the choreographer for the "Bring it On" movies). The DS version is based on an adventure at a competitive cheering camp, where you learn moves to beat a rival. Details: THQ, Inc., www.thq.com. Price: $call. Ages: 6-up. Platform: Wii, Nintendo DS. Teaches/Purpose: movement, gross motor coordination. Entry date: 7/29/2008. 1 Animal Crossing: City Folk The first version of Animal Crossing for the Wii, Animal Crossing: City Folk is being called a "community simulation" either for 1-4 players in the same room, or 2-4 people playing simultaneously over the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection. During a demonstration at E3, Nintendo used this title to highlight a new microphone peripheral for the Wii that they're calling WiiSpeak, which allows you to hear the other players. The microphone sits on top of the sensor bar. At first glance, "City Folk" looks and plays a lot like the old GameCube versions of Animal Crossing, with a lot of trading, fishing, and shell collecting, while the days and seasons pass in real time. You can catch fireflies in the summer or go trick-or-treating on Halloween, for example. New to this game is the ability to take a bus into a city to design clothes, have dinner or watch a show at the theater, as long as your Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection is working. Animal Crossing is all about relationships, and we're looking forward to developing some, coming "this holiday." Details: Nintendo of America, www.nintendo.com. Price: $call. Ages: 6-up. Platform: Wii. Teaches/Purpose: creativity. Entry date: 7/30/2008. 1 Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Note that we reviewed the Windows version of this title in 2007 (3.6 stars). The Wii and PS2 versions contain 6,000 questions in 23 subjects. The DS version was created by AWE Games for THQ and has less content (3000 questions) covering 23 subjects along with a “Fun Facts” pop up throughout the game. Modeled after the TV show, the game takes place in a 3D set, where you compete for a virtual $1 million prize against four virtual players, or against real players in the Academic Academy Mode. A Flashcards feature lets you see who is the quickest, and there's a spelling bee feature for words only. The goal is to earn gold stars as you work your way to the Million Dollar Question. If you answer all the questions correctly, you can put your name on the honor roll. Details: THQ, Inc., www.thq.com. Price: $call. Ages: 9-up. Platform: Wii, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, Windows. Teaches/Purpose: trivia, spelling, all school subjects, factual knowledge. Entry date: 7/17/2008. 1 Ben 10: Alien Force This well-designed fighting game for one or two players includes a drop-in, drop-out cooperative mode, similar in ways to LEGO Star Wars. Fans of the Cartoon Network's Ben 10 show will like this interactive adventure. This is the second edition of the game -- the first was released Fall 2007 and was called Ben 10: Protector of the Earth. We previewed the Wii version in the Summer of 2008; the game will be released in October of 2008. We were told that the DS version has three unique puzzles. In this version, Ben is five years older. As you progress through the levels, you solve puzzles and defeat enemies in order to unlock new characters, moves and clips from the show. This formula has been used in hundreds of other games, and is tried-and-true. Because the game was designed using the Viscious game engine, there is a lot of fighting options. Created for D3Publisher by Monkey Bar Games using the Viscious Engine. It is easy to play, with minimal reading. Details: D3Publisher of America, Inc., www.d3publisher.us. Price: $30. Ages: 6-14. Platform: PlayStation 2, Wii, Nintendo DS, PSP. Teaches/Purpose: logic, spatial thinking. Entry date: 7/26/2008. 1 13 NEW & FUTURE RELEASES AUGUST 1, 2008 Ben 10: Protector of the Earth Based on Cartoon Network's popular hero Ben 10, players take on the role of Ben and use the power of the alien Omnitrix device that has attached itself to his wrist to save the world and defeat the evil Vilgax. Players can play as five aliens, each with their own special super powers, and travel to 14 different levels across the USA and unlock four special locations. The two-player co-op mode pits both players against the game, or players can play alone. The game also features 80 combo moves. Exclusive to the DS version ($30) will be WiFi support for player vs. player challenges, microphone use, and Touch Screen use for mini challenges. Exclusive to the Wii ($40) are special combo moves using the Wii remote, and exclusive to the PSP ($30) are challenge locations and skins. See also Ben 10: Alien Force, releasing Fall 2008. Details: D3Publisher of America, Inc., www.d3publisher.us. Price: $30. Ages: 6-14. Platform: PlayStation 2*, Wii, Nintendo DS, PSP. Teaches/Purpose: some logic. Entry date: 10/22/2007. 119 BigIQkids.com Web-delivered interactive Flash-driven content powers this suite of educational sites, called BigIQkids.com. There are four previous products: SpellingTime.com, BigMathTime.com, BigStatesTime.com and BigVocabTime.com. You'll need Flash 9 in order to make it work. Details: Synergy1 Group, Inc., www.spellingtime.com. Price: $60/year. Ages: 5-12. Platform: Internet Site, Windows, Mac OSX. Teaches/Purpose: math, reading, geography facts (states), spelling and vocabulary. Entry date: 7/3/2008. 124 Claymation Studio 2.0 Claymation Studio 2.0 lets you create claymation, stop-motion video, animation and cell-based videos from imported images, photographs, music audio and recorded sound tracks. It features Chroma Key, which allows users to put an object on a blue/green screen and import background images from another source; Onionskin, which lets users view the previous frame and the next frame on a same-screen transparent overlay mode during the creation process; and Rotoscope, where users can view a still photo on top of a new image. You can also save your videos in Windows Media File, Audio Video Interleave, MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 formats. Other features include Audio Recording which allows users to import or record audio and add it to specific frames, and Simple Frame Editing that lets you display frames in sequence and change the order using dragand-drop. New features of this version include Partial Chroma Key Effects, Chroma Key Windowing on imported images, Background Music with voice over dubbing, On-screen Text, and Enhanced Resolution Support. Available in October at retail for $50 for a single user license. Multiuser Academic License Packs are also available. Details: Honestech, Inc., www.honestech.com. Price: $50. Ages: 12-up. Platform: Windows. Teaches/Purpose: creativity, video editing. Entry date: 7/28/2008. 124 Clear Creativity In the Classroom This is a teacher resource pack which is included as part of the Serif Design Suite (DrawPlus X2, PhotoPlus X2, WebPlus X2, MoviePlus 5.0, and PagePlus X3). It includes lesson plans, how-to guides, handout sheets, project and presentation ideas, instruction on how to create certain effects and other support materials. Details: Serif, Inc., www.serif.com. Price: $free. Ages: NA. Platform: Windows. Teaches/Purpose: a utility for teachers. Entry date: 7/28/2008. 124 14 Aut Edit Aut Edit Aut Edit Aut Edit NEW & FUTURE RELEASES AUGUST 1, 2008 Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force Using characters and themes from the online world (www.clubpenguin.com) this DS game lets you become a member of the Elite Penguin Force, where you are asked to solve specific missions. So note right away that this is not a mere porting of the online world to the DS, which some might expect. Instead, this is a mostly single or two player adventure game in which players take on the role of a covert (secret) agent in the Elite Penguin Force, using gadgets, accessories, vehicles and locations to investigate mysterious events. Minigames include adaptations of popular Club Penguin games such as Cart Surfer, Jet Pack Adventure and Ice Fishing, all using the DS stylus and the unique dual-screen view A good deal of reading is required. The cartridge comes with Disney’s DGamer connectivity, so kids can join Disney's online community, either on their DS or on their home computer. Using the DS wireless web connection, you can unlock new features and upload coins to your online penguin account. Published by Disney Interactive Studios and developed by 1st Playable Productions. Details: Disney Interactive Studios, www.disney.com. Price: $30. Ages: 6-14. Platform: Nintendo DS. Teaches/Purpose: reading, strategy, problem solving. Entry date: 7/14/2008. 1 Command & Conquer: Kane's Wrath The latest edition in the Command & Conquer series, this game returns to the Tiberium Universe. The game includes all the units, structures, and superpowers from Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars, allowing you to control more than 100 units and structures. You can choose from three classic C&C factions; The Brotherhood of Nod, the Global Defense Initiative, and the Alien Scrin, or you can choose from one of six new sub-factions with unique units and abilities. There are 80 matches against nine armies and a story that spans 20 years. Details: Electronic Arts, Inc., www.ea.com. Price: $40. Ages: 13-up. Platform: Xbox 360. Teaches/Purpose: strategy, logic. Entry date: 7/16/2008. 1 Disney Create-A-Story If you blink twice, you'd think you have a bright red LeapPad in this book reading system, that uses the same touch-and-hear approach. But there's one big difference. This device also plugs into your TV, giving it the functionality of a story scripting device, specifically targeting early readers (children aged 3-6 years). Like the LeapPad, you touch the page with the tip of a stylus, to hear any word read aloud. Two books come in the package, including one where children can select the sequence of a story and then see it on their TV screen (the word "create" is used quite loosely). Future titles will be a Disney theme, featuring Tigger and Pooh, Mickey Mouse Club, Cars, Finding Nemo, and Disney Princess. Each book comes with a ROM cartridge which must be inserted in the device to work, and each page must first be registered with the reader, requiring the extra step of touching a uniquely placed marker on each page. The device doubles as a book reader for use away from the TV. Requires four AA batteries (not included). There are four additional packages sold separately for $20 each which feature other Disney characters. Of course, this device is only as good as the software that is played on it, a question that we'll be assessing in future issues. Details: VTech Electronics North America, www.vtechkids.com. Price: $50. Ages: 3-6. Platform: TV. Teaches/Purpose: writing, reading, comprehension . Entry date: 7/8/2008. 1 Dizzywood Dizzywood is a virtual world and online game for children ages eight through 12. The site is free to join and use with a registration, and premium content will be offered in the future. You can dress your avatar, play Flash-based games, explore, and add friends to your buddy list. The PR materials cite two studies of elementary school students at UC Davis showing that children find ways to transform their experiences with technology into "fun, highly organized, group activities and that technology-based activities can be explicitly designed to foster social reflection and advanced planning among young children." Scott Arpajian, co-founder of Dizzywood states, “We believe there is limitless potential for virtual worlds to provide students opportunities to learn positive behavior, values and leadership skills, and to prepare them for a workforce that now demands digital creativity.” Details: Rocket Paper Scissors LLC, www.dizzywood.com. Price: $free. Ages: 8-12. Platform: Internet Site. Teaches/Purpose: caring, fairness, citizenship, responsibility, respect and trustworthiness. Entry date: 6/18/2008. 1 15 NEW & FUTURE RELEASES AUGUST 1, 2008 DrawPlus X2: Graphics Studio This is a vector drawing software that lets students create painted artwork and vector-drawn art. Features include pressure sensitive brushes that simulate charcoal, an airbrush or watercolors. The Flash animation module permits stop frame and keyframe animation as well as Flash export. Work is compatible with either PhotoShop and AutoCAD. Details: Serif, Inc., www.serif.com. Price: $100. Ages: 5-up. Platform: Windows, desktop publishing. Teaches/Purpose: creativity. Entry date: 7/9/2008. 124 EnVision Math The digital counterpart to the Envision Math textbook series, EnVision Math (for K-6) is Pearson's second "blended" curriculum — meaning the designers started from scratch with interactive media in mind. So if a child opens a book to page five and sees a set of animals to measure, she'll see the very same animals when the lesson is presented on the computer screen. Other features include links and a password for every parent, so children with web access can work from home. The curriculum uses Pearson's existing SuccessNet and Success Tracker services, so teachers can track each child's progress. All of the 1200 lessons are Flash-based, feature clear audio, and are tied to state standards. Also interesting is that the Internet lessons are designed to be interactive white-board friendly, with large icons that are easy to touch — from the top or the bottom of the screen. According to Marc Nelson, the Director of User Experience for the project, "The main innovation is the seamless integration between the web and the book." If you can run a browser, you can get connected. The curriculum is designed to be used either in large groups (through a projector or interactive White Board) or a small group (through individual web stations or tablet computers). The programming was done in Chandler, AZ, and is available in English or Spanish. Each lesson consists of a visual learning animation, a teaching section, guided practice, individual practice and assessment by way of a five question quiz. Any doubt that the the form of future textbooks is changing will start to fade, with products like this one. See http://www.envisionmathtexas.com/ for a demo, in Flash naturally. Details: Pearson Learning Group, www.pearsonlearning.com. Price: $call. Ages: 5-12. Platform: Windows, Mac OSX, Internet Site. Teaches/Purpose: math. Entry date: 4/21/2008. 122 Giggles: Computer Funtime for Baby - Nursery Rhymes This edition of the Giggles: Computer Funtime for Baby series includes 14 easy-to-play activities, each modeled after a nursery rhyme such as Jack and Jill, Hey Diddle Diddle, and Mary Had A Little Lamb. Each activity is an animated visual representation of the nursery rhyme so that your child can interact with it by pressing keys. In addition, the words for each rhyme can be viewed on-screen. The program contains 50 songs, as well as the songs for each nursery rhyme. It also features two modes: Baby Mode for ages six to 24 months and the new Toddler Mode for ages 24 to 36 months. Details: Leveractive, LLC, www.giggles.net. Price: $20. Ages: 0-3. Platform: Windows, Mac OSX. Teaches/Purpose: causality, early learning. Entry date: 7/16/2008. 124 Goosebumps Horrorland We had a short demonstration of the Wii version of this game in our office (July 2008) and can vouch for the fact that THIS GAME IS SCARY. Horrorland is an abandoned theme park full of strange stuff, like Bumper Carnage and roller coasters that malfunction. Content includes 30 games, some for two players. Features vary, depending on the platform. This is one to look forward to; a Halloween release date is planned. Details: Scholastic Interactive, . Price: $50, $30 DS, PS2, $20 PC. Ages: 8-12. Platform: Wii, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, Windows, Mac OSX. Teaches/Purpose: logic, spatial relations. Entry date: 7/10/2008. 124 16 Aut Edit Aut Edit Aut Edit Aut Edit NEW & FUTURE RELEASES AUGUST 1, 2008 HotChalk.com HotChalk (www.hotchalk.com) bills itself as "the first free Web 2.0 community for K-12 teachers, students and parents that promotes the sharing of resources and information." The idea is to combine quality editorial with clever advertising, and attract the lucrative eyes of educators. In terms of the content collection, HotChalk is worth a second look. For example, they've hired the former editor of Technology & Learning Magazine, Susan McLester, to oversee the editorial content. There's a collection of educational blogs, a library of teacher-contributed lesson plans, as well as professional development courses from McGraw-Hill, and premium digital video content from NBC News. HotChalk has partnered with National Geographic and PBS for additional content. Details: HotChalk, Inc., www.hotchalk.com. Price: $free. Ages: NA. Platform: Internet Site. Teaches/Purpose: a portal and information source for educators. Entry date: 6/17/2008. 1 I SPY Treasure Hunt (Leapster) Twenty-seven I SPY puzzles have been nicely adapted for the Leapster's touch screen that include three games with multiple challenge levels. There are three treasure hunts, and as with previous I SPY Titles, your goal is to complete a treasure map. This is an excellent literacy activity, providing exposure to new vocabulary words, and letting children enjoy language, in the context of hundreds of well designed puzzles. Up to three game profiles can be saved. If you have a Leapster, this is well worth the $25. Details: Scholastic, Inc., www.scholastic.com. Price: $25. Ages: 6-8. Platform: Leapster. Teaches/Purpose: classification, visual relationships, language, rhythms, poetry. Entry date: 5/29/2008. 1 Imagine: Master Chef Are you master chef material? In this one-player game for the Nintendo DS, you first design your own professional chef's kitchen and then start cooking, using the stylus to stir in ingredients, chop, slice, and cook appetizers, entrees, side dishes and desserts, and test their techniques with quizzes and contests. Testers did not like this game, finding it hard to use and understand. Details: Ubisoft, Inc., www.ubisoft.com. Price: $30. Ages: 8-up. Platform: Nintendo DS. Teaches/Purpose: reading, cooking, following directions. Entry date: 11/26/2007. 1 Imagine: Rock Star Form your own band and play songs using drums, guitar, bass, and piano by tapping the Nintendo DS touch screen. You will practice, book gigs, and work your way to the top of the music industry. You can also play with friends in multiplayer mode, customize your characters' hair styles, outfits and accessories. Not yet reviewed; coming this fall. Details: Ubisoft, Inc., www.ubisoft.com. Price: $30. Ages: 6-up. Platform: Nintendo DS. Teaches/Purpose: music, timing, fine motor coordination. Entry date: 6/24/2008. 1 iTeddy Picture frames and music players come in many forms, these days. In this case, its a plush teddy bear. The round media player snaps into his belly and displays photos in slideshow fashion, and plays music or movies. Two crude games are provided and can be played with the direction keys on the front of the player. The interface takes some time to figure out. The media player can be removed from the bear and clipped on a belt, or a carseat for that matter. To transfer pictures, videos or MP3 audio files, you can either use the included USB cable (to access the 512 MB of internal RAM) or plug in a standard SD card. Plugging the USB cable into your computer also charges the battery. Visit iTeddy.com for more information. Details: Vivid Imaginations Ltd., www.vividimaginations.co.uk. Price: $90. Ages: 3-up. Platform: media player. Teaches/Purpose: a plush digital photograph display system. Entry date: 7/9/2008. 1 17 NEW & FUTURE RELEASES AUGUST 1, 2008 Kidi Art Studio About the size of a TV table, this digital design center for preschoolers features a digital camera mounted about a foot above the drawing surface, so that as a child colors, their work is displayed on the TV screen. The software, stored on a plug in ROM cartridge, includes ideas for arts and crafts, or stop-motion animation, by combining the camera's captured images with the onscreen graphics. So it is easy to add creative elements, such as frames and effects, to their pictures. They can also create pictures from scratch in the free play mode. Using the thumb drive, children can save work to their PC and print anything they've made. Watch for a review in September. Details: VTech Electronics North America, www.vtechkids.com. Price: $80. Ages: 4-up. Platform: Smart Toy. Teaches/Purpose: creativity, drawing, photo editing. Entry date: 6/24/2008. 123 Know Your USA 1.5 According to press materials, this new version of Know Your USA features an improved interface making it easier to use and navigate. It features sixty photos from across the United States, and maps of each state are now included, detailing state capitals, major cities, and physical features. In addition to the topics on the previous version, it now also includes oceanography and national parks. The puzzle of the United States has been improved, with two styles - flip and spread available and a timer to keep track of your speed. In the Quiz section, incorrect answers are better highlighted as well as the questions in the Exam section. Another feature that has been added is About the USA, a quick way to find facts about the USA. Links now include Wikipedia and Google Earth. You can download a 30-day trial version, or purchase as a download for $25, from www. knowyourusa.net. You can also now purchase the CD-ROM from Amazon.com or TheAVCafe.com for $25. There is also a School Edition which allows teachers to print worksheets, monitor users' progress, and create custom quizzes. The cost, $300, includes a site license on an unlimited number of computers. Details: EdWare Interactive Learning, www.knowyourusa.net. Price: $25. Ages: 6-14. Platform: Windows. Teaches/Purpose: US Geography, states, capitals, land features. Entry date: 7/17/2008. 124 LittleBigPlanet Many side-scrolling games come with some type of level editor. LittleBigPlanet is the reverse — a sophisticated, easy-to-use level editor that comes with some game-like levels attached. Designed to push the creative capacity of the PlayStation 3, LittleBigPlanet combines an openended creativity tool with 50 mission-based challenges, for one to four players (either locally or remotely, via the PlayStation Network) who can drop in or drop out at any time. Imagine the Incredible Machine set in an endless side-scrolling world that can be shared, and you get the idea of this experience. You start by moving a rag-doll-like character through the first level of the game, learning about each character’s powers to interact with the environment. There are obstacles to explore, bits and pieces to collect and puzzles to solve — requiring problem solving and, at times, collaborative teamwork. As your creative skills grow, you can start modifying the environments. With LittleBigPlanet, just about anything you see is fair game for painting, dragging, dropping or deleting. For example, if you have a PlayStation Eye, you could put your own face on a billboard. During the demonstration at E3, Sony used LittleBigPlanet as a type of side scrolling PowerPoint to illustrate sales projections. Your levels can be saved, and posted online for others to try — landing a nice shared community aspect to the game. (It's a lot more fun to create something if you know that there are others to share it with.) Other content includes 60 tutorials, and a shared community that Sony hopes will create an "endless game" (somewhat similar to the Spore concept). Online and offline multiplayer modes let you play alone or work as a team with up to four friends who can share comments and rankings. Coming September 2008. Details: Media Molecule Ltd., www.mediamolecule.com. Price: $call. Ages: 5-up. Platform: PlayStation 3. Teaches/Purpose: creativity, logic, physics. Entry date: 9/13/2007. 118 18 Aut Edit Aut Edit Aut Edit NEW & FUTURE RELEASES AUGUST 1, 2008 miJam Pro Air Drummer This wireless drummer simulates a full drum set and includes two drumsticks, a bass foot pedal, and a speaker you can connect to your iPod or MP3 player using the headphone jack so you can play along to your favorite music. You can also choose from six built-in rhythms including Snare, Hi Hat, Tom Tom, Crash Cymbal, Floor Tom, and Ride Cymbal. In addition, the Follow key allows the same drum or cymbal to be played by both sticks allowing you to perform drum rolls. And since they are air drums, they require no tapping. Requires 2 AAA batteries for each drumstick, 2 AA batteries for the foot pedal, and 4 AA batteries for the speaker (not included). In stores "Fall 2008." Details: Blue Box Toys, Inc., www.b2stuff.com. Price: $40. Ages: 8-up. Platform: wireless drums. Teaches/Purpose: rhythm, drums. Entry date: 6/4/2008. 1 miJam Studio Mike This microphone has a speaker in the bottom and can be connected to an iPod or MP3 player using the headphone jack, so you can sing along to your favorite music. The microphone suppresses the voices in the music so you can sing Karaoke style. It also features five built-in sound effects including audience sounds of cheers and applause. The included batteries are for the Try Me function, and it's recommended you replace these with 4 AAA alkaline batteries. Details: Blue Box Toys, Inc., www.b2stuff.com. Price: $20. Ages: 8-up. Platform: smart toy. Teaches/Purpose: a prop for singing, music. Entry date: 6/3/2008. 1 Monster Lab Off-beat, zany and a bit creepy feeling, this game is part simulation and part action game, with a good deal of fighting in the mix. The off-kilter art style presents a world where nothing is symmetrical. In the game, you first create your monster, mixing-and-matching 156 monster parts. You then start hunting for other monsters to compete against in different challenges. The ultimate goal is to vanquish the evil Baron Mharti and liberate the villagers, moving up in rank, in six levels. The Wii edition uses a gesture combat game mechanic, where you fight head-to-head against bad guys with movements. Coming Halloween, 2008. Created by Backbone Vancouver for Eidos. Visit www.monsterlabthegame.com. Details: Eidos Interactive, . Price: $call. Ages: 7-up. Platform: Wii, Nintendo DS. Teaches/Purpose: logic, creativity, strategy. Entry date: 7/31/2008. 1 My SAT Coach Get out your #2 stylus, kids, because your Nintendo DS is now a test prep experience. Based on content from The Princeton Review's test prep program, My SAT Coach contains two complete SAT tests, along with timed drills and mini-games. The drills are useful, because a student can practice vocabulary words on long car trips, or work on just the Math section of the test. Progress can be saved on the cartridge, and the touch screen is used to make things fun. For example, when you fill in the dots with the stylus, it looks and feels like real #2 pencil lead. Content includes 2,000 practice questions. Developed in Montreal for Ubisoft. Coming Fall 2008. Details: Ubisoft, Inc., www.ubisoft.com. Price: $call. Ages: 14-up. Platform: Nintendo DS. Teaches/Purpose: test prep, SAT. Entry date: 7/19/2008. 1 MySims Kingdom This second MySims title — coming this Fall — now offers the ability to share your virtual world with up to six other players, by invitation only. Also, the art and building items follow an old Europe castle building theme. For those not familiar with the My Sims concept, it is best described as a cross between LEGO Creator, Animal Crossing and The Sims. You start by creating your own Mii-like Sim by mixing and matching hair styles, clothing and body types, with additional items that can be unlocked. You then enter a town, where you meet others who need your help in order to rebuild the kingdom — one house at a time. There's a wonderful level of detail to the creating — you can even go inside the homes and decorate. In the last version, testers found this process to be both easy to do, and very fun; this edition looks like the same. It is easy to save projects. Note that interacting with others and getting to the next mission requires reading text bubbles. As players explore, they meet and help new characters who explain the next challenge. All in all, this looks like it will be an another easy-to-play, powerful addition to the Sims line, with no worrisome content. Details: Electronic Arts, Inc., www.ea.com. Price: $call. Ages: 6-up. Platform: Nintendo DS, Windows, Wii. Teaches/Purpose: creativity, reading, spatial relations (using maps), money. Entry date: 7/31/2008. 1 19 NEW & FUTURE RELEASES AUGUST 1, 2008 Nancy Drew: The Mystery of the Clue Bender Society This game for the Nintendo DS is a follow-up to "The Deadly Secret of Olde World Park." In the story, Nancy Drew is trying to get into The Clue Bender Society, a group of the world's best detectives. In the case, one of history's most important books is missing, and you must help Nancy locate it before it falls into the wrong hands. Using the DS touch screen, you retrieve and identify fingerprints, master mazes, follow and interrogate suspects through printed dialog, and ride snowmobiles and boats. There are nine chapters on one cartridge, and games can be saved using a login screen. Details: Majesco Entertainment, www.majescoentertainment.com. Price: $20. Ages: 10-up. Platform: Nintendo DS. Teaches/Purpose: reading, deductive reasoning, problem solving. Entry date: 9/26/2007. 119 Naruto: Clash of Ninja Revolution 2 Ready for a brawl? The second "Clash of Ninja" title (the first was released last year) features plenty of action-based fighting for one to four players. The battles are embedded in a storyline that is inspired from the animated TV show. Content consists of 30 characters, each with different abilities, plus 15 stages that get more challenging. Some of the moves let you shake or spin your Wii Remote to power up your punches. You can either play against three other players, or in teams, or by yourself against the computer. Made for D3Publisher by 8ing. Coming Fall 2008. See also Path of the Ninja for the Nintendo DS. Details: D3Publisher of America, Inc., www.d3publisher.us. Price: $call. Ages: 10-up. Platform: Wii. Teaches/Purpose: fighting, social play, timing. Entry date: 7/30/2008. 124 Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2: The Phantom Fortress This Naruto fighting game for the PSP features a new story mode and six types of two-player battles in different combinations (1 vs 1, 1 vs 2, 1 vs 3, 2 vs 2, 2 vs 3, and 3 vs 3) that you can play wirelessly via an ad hoc connection. You start by choosing one of 20 characters to fight as, each with special techniques. As you play, you power up your character with more abilities. Content includes 100 floors of the Phantom Castle to explore, with some mini-games. If you're looking for a fast, fun fight, this title won't disappoint. Just note that like the show, there's plenty of cartoon violence and mild suggestive themes (review the ESRB descriptors). Details: Namco Bandai Games America Inc., www.namcobandaigames.com. Price: $40. Ages: 10-up. Platform: PSP. Teaches/Purpose: fighting, social play, timing. Entry date: 6/26/2008. 124 NCAA Football 09 This latest edition in the NCAA Football series has 70 new features such as a directional fake, to fake out the defense. An Online Dynasty Mode lets you recruit new players, keep stats or create custom schedules. New to this version are psychological factors, such as a home field advantage, and tracking of your player's overall composure. If a player gets confused, question marks replace the button icons for receivers, and squiggly lines appear instead of the field routes. If your pass is picked off, a “Quarterback Quiz” mini-game will appear, asking you to recall the defense you just faced. If you remember, you can regain some of your composure. You can also call a time-out before your opponent kicks a field goal, just to increase the pressure he or she feels. Crowds are decorated in school colors, including mascots and cheerleaders, plus there's an arcade style game that you can play against mascots. You can also upload your personal music and sounds from your hard drive in more than 20 user-defined situations to create your own custom ingame atmosphere authentic to your favorite school. Prices are $60 for PS3 and Xbox 360, $50 for Wii, and $40 for PS2 and PSP. Details: EA Sports (Electronic Arts, Inc.), www.easports.com. Price: $60. Ages: 8-up. Platform: PlayStation 3*, Xbox 360, Wii, PlayStation 2, PSP. Teaches/Purpose: football. Entry date: 7/15/2008. 124 20 Aut Edit Aut Edit Aut Edit Aut Edit NEW & FUTURE RELEASES AUGUST 1, 2008 Net Nanny 5.5 Looking for an Internet filtering solution for Windows computers? As of Summer 2008, one of the established and most evolved is Net Nanny — although it is limited to Windows computers, and your subscription must be renewed each year. Now part of ContentWatch (www.contentwatch. com), Net Nanny Home Suite costs $50/12 months for one computer. Here's how it works. First, you install the software on your computer's hard disk, either from a downloaded file or from a purchased CD-ROM. Next, you must register the software online with ContentWatch--which entails coming up with a password to keep hidden from users of the computer. This password is also required to uninstall the software. So, if you loose it, your only option is to call ContentWatch or reformat your hard drive. From this point in, every user must login to the computer with a password, which can be integrated with the regular Windows login. Net Nanny uses word and URL lists along with an ongoing filter to screen incoming and outgoing web content. As Web pages are requested, a "dynamic analyzing engine" either allows or blocks their display. It is possible to create a custom "white list" to override the filter if you like. You can manage settings from any Internet connection, as long as you have your computer's IP address and your NetNanny password. Other features include chat and instant messaging filtering, multilanguage (English or Chinese) support, Email notification, the ability to set up individual accounts for different people, and time management tools for online games. Additional installations are $25 per computer. Of course, the drawback to any filtering solution is that it can gum up computer and Internet performance because a login is required, and every incoming or outgoing URL request or message must pass through the filter. Yet according to press materials, this edition of Net Nanny is "approximately 400% faster at dynamic contextual filtering than previous versions" — a claim we did not test. Also, keep in mind that nearly every mainstream search engine, such as Google, Yahoo, or MSN, has a "safe search" option already, which filters results for free. Of course, this can be disabled by any child with the ability to adjust your preferences. You've probably already figured out that the Internet filtering business can be costly and complex, and it can slow performance and erode trust. If you need a filter, Net Nanny is a viable choice. Details: ContentWatch, Inc., www.contentwatch.com. Price: $50/year. Ages: NA. Platform: Windows. Teaches/Purpose: an Internet filter and management utility . Entry date: 9/6/2005. 1 PagePlus X3: Publisher Professional This desktop publishing system for Windows allows you to create publications such as brochures or newsletters. According to the PR materials, it features "an intuitive interface, layout assistants and tutorials and interactive help to guide you regardless of your level of experience." You can import files from PDFs or PhotoShop. A Logo Studio includes 2,500 logo templates and clip art images. Details: Serif, Inc., www.serif.com. Price: $100. Ages: 10-up. Platform: Windows. Teaches/Purpose: desktop publishing. Entry date: 7/9/2008. 1 Paws & Claws This latest version of Pet Vet lets you open your veterinarian practice in Australia. You start by creating and customizing your character with different outfits. You will travel the Outback in your SUV and encounter animals including dingos, koala bears, and kangaroos. You can use your virtual PDA to track animal records and treatments for the different animals. You will develop and run your own clinic, earning money to expand and grow by building guest houses and arranging safaris. The game also features a daily gamekeeper who will help you learn your job, report where sick animals have been sighted, and help stay you on task. Details: Valusoft, www.valusoft.com. Price: $15. Ages: 8-up. Platform: Windows. Teaches/Purpose: health, logic, mathematics, planning, problem solving, economics, money. Entry date: 7/17/2008. 1 21 NEW & FUTURE RELEASES AUGUST 1, 2008 Petz Crazy Monkeyz Coming October 2008, this is another pet simulation program for the Wii; one of nearly a dozen new children's titles from Ubisoft for the Wii or DS. It is interesting to note that the PC platform was avoided this year. The controls are similar to the other Petz programs. In order to keep your monkeys happy, you need to give them food, attention and toys. You can have up to 10 monkeys on the screen at once, and it is possible to unlock additional toys or clothing items. The monkeys never die, but they do have babies (a window pops up that says "you have a baby monkey"). See also Petz Monkeyz House for the Nintendo DS. Other children's titles to be released this fall include Imagine Dream Weddings, Imagine Movie Star, Imagine Babysitter, Imagine Teacher, Imagine Wedding Designer, Ener-G Horse Riders, Ener-G Gym Rockets, Energ-G Dance Squad, Party Babyz Wii, My SAT Coach, My Secret World, My Stop Smoking Coach with Allen Carr, Petz Catz Clan, Petz Dogz Pack, Petz Horseshoe Ranch, Petz Monkeyz House and Petz Sports. Details: Ubisoft, Inc., www.ubisoft.com. Price: $call. Ages: 4-8. Platform: Wii. Teaches/Purpose: a life simulation, some creativity. Entry date: 7/30/2008. 124 Petz Dogz Fashion Further defining the Nintendog's concept (but not as high in quality), this Nintendo DS game lets you choose your favorite breed of puppy including Labrador Retrievers, Chihuahuas, Mini Dachshunds, Toy Poodles, Boston Terriers, Shibas, and Corgis. You can then dress them up with 400 fashion accessories, including hats, shirts, pants, and shoes, and enter them in a show. There are 16 mini-games in both single and multiplayer modes — including soccer, catch, and jump rope. Details: Ubisoft, Inc., www.ubisoft.com. Price: $30. Ages: 6-up. Platform: Nintendo DS. Teaches/Purpose: creativity, a life simulation. Entry date: 6/24/2008. 123 PhotoPlus X2: Digital Studio Can't afford PhotoShop? This Windows-based package is designed for digital photographers in search of basic photo effects, Web graphics, textile patterns. The program features a makeover studio which allows you to remove common imperfections. Tools let you adjust lighting, distortion, sharpening and texture, all done with layers so you can apply effects to photos without affecting the underlying image. Work is compatible with Adobe Photoshop PSD, and works with Photoshop plug-ins. Details: Serif, Inc., www.serif.com. Price: $80. Ages: 12-up. Platform: Windows. Teaches/Purpose: digital image editing. Entry date: 7/9/2008. 124 PixelJunk Eden If you could step inside a lava lamp, you sort of get the idea of this exotic title full of constantly growing plant-like art, designed exclusively for the PlayStation 3's clear, 1080 pixel format. You steer a small creature called a “Grimp” (from “grip” and “jump”) to a world full of color and sound. By smashing into things, you release batches of pollen that can help the more alien plants change and grow. As they develop, players can leap, swing and soar between the swaying branches to gather bundles of energy and light before the time available runs out. This is the third game in Q-Games’ PixelJunk series, which blends simple, addictive gameplay with crisp and attractive graphics. There's a bit of a learning curve, so if children are involved be prepared to lend a helping hand. There are 10 stages of content, with Japanese music composed by Baiyon. Game features include organic growth animations for each plant and both six-axis and rumble support, depending on the type of controller you have. Remote play is supported with the PSP system. Note that full HD 1080p requires an HDMI cable and a 1080p native display with an HDMI input supporting HDCP. Created by Q-Games for Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. Details: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., www.us.playstation.com. Price: $call. Ages: 6-up. Platform: PlayStation 3. Teaches/Purpose: creativity, timing, strategy. Entry date: 7/31/2008. 124 22 Aut Edit Aut Edit Aut Edit Aut Edit NEW & FUTURE RELEASES AUGUST 1, 2008 Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party The zany antics for Rayman (Ubisoft's rabbit) continue, with this competitive party game for 1 -4 players, coming Fall 2008 for the Wii. In order to win a TV game show, you are asked to test your skill in about 65 short minigames. Some of these are very innovative, such as a sledding game in which you sit on the Wii Balance Board, steering by shifting your weight. Ubisoft PR proudly is calling this "the first video game that you control with your butt." While only one player can do this at a time, the others can use their Wii controllers to throw snowballs at the sledder, keeping everyone involved. Another game lets you dance, cheer leading style, using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk (required) to match the music on the screen. This title looks like it will be a lot of fun. Details: Ubisoft, Inc., www.ubisoft.com. Price: $call. Ages: 6-up. Platform: Wii. Teaches/Purpose: movement, gross motor coordination. Entry date: 7/16/2007. 1 Rock Band Track Pack: Volume 1 This new edition of Rock Band allows users of Rock Band to expand their musical library with 20 new songs including: Move Along - All American Rejects; Truckin' - Grateful Dead; Gimme Three Steps - Lynyrd Skynrd; and Siva - Smashing Pumpkins. All songs utilize the original master recordings. It features the same modes as the original, including Solo and Band Tour Modes, Quickplay, Tug of War, Score Dual and song unlock progression. Details: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., www.harmonixmusic.com. Price: $30. Ages: 10-up. Platform: Wii, PlayStation 2. Teaches/Purpose: cooperative learning, timing, rock music, timing, temporal relations, fine motor skills, pitch, rhythm. Entry date: 7/29/2008. 1 Samba De Amigo Video game historians, take note. One of the first rhythm games is back. Originally designed for the Sega Dreamcast game system, Samba De Amigo is described as "a party in a box" for one to two players. The original shakers have been replaced with the Wii controls. In other words, you hold the Wii Remote in one hand, and the Nunchuk in the other to try to match the beat to 40 songs, set in zany sets. There are two-player competitive and co-op multiplayer modes — using the Wii’s online capabilities — which can also be used to download new songs. You can use either a Wii Remote and a Nunchuk, or two Wii Remotes for untethered freedom (the cord can become annoying). There are multiple game modes including Career, Single-Player, Multiplayer, Training, and Records. High scores can be saved online. Created by Gearbox for Sega, coming September 23, 2008. Details: Sega of America, www.sega.com. Price: $call. Ages: 7-up. Platform: Wii. Teaches/Purpose: music, beat, gross motor coordination, rhythm. Entry date: 7/30/2008. 1 Sid Meier’s Civilization IV: Colonization Utilizing the Civilization IV engine, Colonization is a new edition of the original 1994 turnbased game of the same name. In this edition, players guide one of four European nations in conquering the New World and lead that new nation toward eventual freedom and independence. This version will not require Civilization IV to play; this is not an expansion pack. Note that the history in these games is fictionalized, but the core ideas of imperialism are valid. There's a lot of logic and problem solving required to play this game. Features include a “just one more turn” gameplay, new graphics and a new interface, improved diplomacy options, and the ability to modify levels. Visit www.civilization.com. Details: 2K Games, www.take2games.com. Price: $call. Ages: 10-up. Platform: Windows. Teaches/Purpose: strategy, history. Entry date: 6/9/2008. 1 23 NEW & FUTURE RELEASES AUGUST 1, 2008 Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution This is the first edition of the Sid Meier's Civilization series (started in 1991) to run on game consoles (PS3 and XBox 360). Note that you'll want to have a large 16:9 screen in order to play this game, which has a new look and feel from the original Windows-based version. Also, don't confuse this edition with a similarly-timed Windows remake of the Civilization game, called Sid Meier’s Civilization IV: Colonization. In this edition, you choose from 16 civilizations inspired from real history, and try to lead them to victory over the others. Leaders include fictionalized versions of Abraham Lincoln, Otto von Bismarck and Mao Tse-Tung. Keep in mind that the history depicted in these games is largely pretend, and time periods are blurred, although many of the key ideas of colonization are valid and can get children thinking and talking about key ideas like "who was Abraham Lincoln?". Also, winning the game requires an application of higher level thinking abilities, including negotiation and strategic thinking (like chess). Each time you defeat a rival civilization you can add an exhibit to your Hall of Achievements. You can combine up to three units into one army. As your units win battles, they become veterans and can win upgrades for more strength. With Xbox Live and PSN (PlayStation Network), up to four players can battle as teams, head to head, or in a free-for-all online. Developed by Firaxis Games for 2K Games. Visit (www.civilizationrevolution.com) for more information. See also Microsoft's Age of Empires. Details: 2K Games, www.take2games.com. Price: $60. Ages: 10-up. Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS. Teaches/Purpose: history, logic, planning, creativity. Entry date: 7/17/2008. 124 Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution (DS) This Nintendo DS version of Sid Meier's famous fictional history strategy game (www. civilizationrevolution.com) allows players to take their game on road. The game is designed for one to four players, using either local wireless mode or Wi-Fi. Content includes 16 civilizations — much like the console version of the game — and units can be upgraded with victories. The touch-screen controls allow you to move squads, delegate tasks with a tap, and build civilizations using a combination of the stylus and the buttons. There are guided tutorials. Details: 2K Games, www.take2games.com. Price: $30. Ages: 10-up. Platform: Nintendo DS. Teaches/Purpose: history, logic, planning, creativity. Entry date: 7/18/2008. 124 Star Wars Force Unleashed Featuring new levels of graphic detail and plenty of battle opportunities, this action/adventure game lets players become Darth Vader's secret apprentice, in a story that falls between Episode III and IV. Every year, LucasArts talks up the new techniques they use when they design games, and this year ('08) was no different. According to PR materials, the game has "digital molecular matter," "euphoria" and "havok physics" to "bring a new level of realism to the latest game consoles." So wood breaks like wood, glass shatters like glass and so on. If you like Star Wars, is it likely that this Teen rated fighting game will put you in the middle of the battle. More information is at www. theforceunleashed.com. Details: LucasArts, www.lucasarts.com. Price: $50. Ages: 10-up. Platform: PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, PSP. Teaches/Purpose: fighting, timing, logic. Entry date: 7/31/2008. 124 24 Aut Edit Aut Edit Aut Edit NEW & FUTURE RELEASES AUGUST 1, 2008 Teachermate Computer About the size of a deck of cards, the Teachermate is a (4 x 3 inch) handheld computer with an SD card slot, 512 MB internal memory, and rechargable batteries — with a lifespan of 3.5 hours. The controls consist of a D-pad (with direction keys) and an input button, plus three color-coded answer input keys for multiple choice inputs. We were less-than-impressed by the pre-installed reading and math curriculum, but did not spend enough time with any given lesson to assign a rating. According to the publisher, content is aligned with major reading and math programs, and includes a library of leveled readers. By attaching the device to a regular computer using the USB cord, teachers can assign a level for each student, and then the student can choose a book within his/her level. You can also upgrade the software or change options, such as setting the time for how long a student can do a reading activity. These are all great ideas, although we're not sure how well they are implemented in this case. An extra synch and storage case enables a teacher to quickly charge all of the computers at the same time and synch all the student score data to a single computer. All activities are offered in Spanish and English. While the idea is good, be careful before you commit large sums of money in this approach. Details: Innovations for Learning, www.innovationsforlearning.org. Price: $50. Ages: 5-7. Platform: Smart Toy. Teaches/Purpose: math, reading. Entry date: 4/1/2008. 1 Tuttles, The: Madcap Misadventures This is an arcade-style game about a family trying to bond on a roadtrip to the Alamo. Players must use logic and quick reactions to negotiate the obstacles along the way. It features 40 levels of side-scrolling action, as well as comic book style cut scenes featuring the voices of actors including Bob Saget, Jamie Lee Curtis, and William Shatner. Each character in the Tuttles family has unique skills. Developed by Legacy Interactive, Divo Games and Animax. See http://www. tuttlesfamilygame.com/. Details: Legacy Interactive, www.legacyinteractive.com. Price: $20. Ages: 12-up. Platform: Windows. Teaches/Purpose: logic. Entry date: 4/2/2008. 1 Ultimate Band Think "Rock Band" or "Guitar Hero" without the instruments, and you have the idea of this band sim, designed to work with the Wii's motion-based controls instead of plug in instruments. A version for the DS is also available with different features. As the music plays, you move the controller to match the elements the song, desplayed in scrolling fashion on the screen. You can play guitar, drums, bass. The music list is more diverse than the typical Guitar Hero title titles reflecting "music for everyone" including, of course, Disney tunes. In the Wii version, you live the life of a rock star by advancing your careers and popularity from playing in a neighborhood garage to performing in front of an international audience, unlocking new songs and equipment along the way. The DS version includes a recording studio, where players can play along with the current songs using the drums, lead guitar, bass guitar, or rhythm guitar, or create their own original songs using the DS touchscreen and stylus. The DS version includes game sharing features, through DGamer (Disney's new game sharing system). The title is being produced by Disney's Fall Line Studio and by Radial Music, a London-based studio. Details: Disney Interactive, Inc., www.disney.com. Price: $call. Ages: 8-up. Platform: Wii, Nintendo DS. Teaches/Purpose: Music, rhythm. Entry date: 2/27/2008. 1 Ultimate I Spy (Wii) According to press materials, this new twist on I Spy puzzles will include "3D puzzle screens, paddleball, and 40 riddles." You'll be able to look under or around objects for clues. A playroom contains 10 mini-games, with darts, drums or tops to spin. Coming late October 2008. Details: Scholastic, Inc., www.scholastic.com. Price: $40. Ages: 7-10. Platform: Wii. Teaches/Purpose: classification, visual relationships, language, rhythms, poetry. Entry date: 5/29/2008. 1 25 NEW & FUTURE RELEASES AUGUST 1, 2008 Ultimate Wall-E Coming this fall from Thinkway Toys, this movie-inspired Robot has 10 motors and a remote control, so you can drive around the room. A touch-pad lets you program movements in advance. There's voice activation and a follow-me mode (so the robot can follow a voice), and there are several emotional states that can be set in advance. Sensors include sound, motion (infrared) and touch. An MP3 player mode lets you play music through his built-in speakers. USB cables and rechargeable batteries are included. Details: Disney Interactive, Inc., www.disney.com. Price: $200. Ages: 6-up. Platform: Smart Toy. Teaches/Purpose: robotics, limited programming. Entry date: 7/18/2008. 124 UltiMotion Swing Zone Sports Still can't get a Wii? Here's a geared-down option for your TV that removes Nintendo from the equation. UltiMotion Swing Zone Sports (www.jakkspacific.com) comes with five sports games and a motion sensing controller that resembles a pint-sized Wii Remote. While the remote has an accelerometer that can detect the timing of your swing or throw, it can't detect the speed or position of your motion, leaving seasoned Wii Sports players grumbling. The battery-powered receiver (4 AAs, plus 2 AAAs for the remote) plugs into the A/V jacks of your TV. Turn it on to see an offering of five sports — bowling, baseball, football, tennis and golf — each with an accompanying snap-on accessory designed to accommodate the motion sensor in the handle. Testers (seasoned Wii sports players) complained that the timing is not even comparable to the Wii, and noted that the graphics look dated; they're out of a '90's arcade. But getting started is incredibly simple, and the process of hitting home runs or sinking puts is rather addicting. There's no auto-off mode in the receiver; so if the kids leave the receiver on, they'll come back to four dead AA batteries. One tester, age 9, couldn't figure out how to turn off the receiver (you press the long LED on the front, which is not obvious). While you can choose between a male or female lead character, you aren't given any choice over the look of the avatar. Created by Superhappyfunfun for Jakks Pacific. Details: Jakks Pacific, Inc., www.jakkspacific.com. Price: $80. Ages: 4-up. Platform: TV game. Teaches/Purpose: sports, gross motor coordination. Entry date: 5/30/2008. 123 V.Smile Cyber Pocket This year's version of the V.Smile Pocket features a compact, flip-up high resolution screen and touch pad for use with a tethered stylus. Other new features include a microphone and a V. Link port -- designed to accommodate V.Tech's special USB storage device, allowing the transfer of information (such as a child's scores) to the Internet through your Windows computer. Of course, the V.Link features are all optional -- you don't need a computer to use this device. While the body is slightly smaller than the previous model and it feels easier to hold, the screen is a step backward. Because it is significantly smaller than original V.Smile pocket (3 inches vs. 4 inches) and offers no better resolution, it is one of those rare events in technology gadgetry where things are actually getting less powerful. This is a minor issue -- it is still easy to see and hear games. The innovative controls still can be reversed for left or right handed users. Other standard features include a headphone jack, and an A/V port, allowing you to port the graphics and sounds through your TV screen. Details: VTech Electronics North America, www.vtechkids.com. Price: $70. Ages: 5-up. Platform: V.Smile. Teaches/Purpose: math, reading, phonics, problem solving. Entry date: 7/8/2008. 124 Viva Pinata Pocket Paradise This XBox 360 game will now be available on Nintendo DS, as of Fall 2008. We had a demonstration at E3, and noted that it seemed easier to use due to the touch screen, but still need to confirm this with more testing. We did note that reading was required in order to use the dialog boxes. Based on the Fox Kids TV show, this edition lets you create and explore a garden that grows Piñatas. The idea is that with care, you can grow more Piñatas, and that they will reproduce. Content includes 60 piñatas, including seven new species and missions based on the TV shows. Key features include the ability to transfer items or piñatas from one DS to another using the wireless connect (a second copy of the game is required). Created by Rare for THQ. Details: THQ, Inc., www.thq.com. Price: $call. Ages: 6-up. Platform: Nintendo DS. Teaches/Purpose: creativity, logic. Entry date: 7/17/2008. 124 26 Aut Edit Aut Edit Aut Edit Aut Edit NEW & FUTURE RELEASES AUGUST 1, 2008 We Love Golf! This game for the Wii utilizes the Wii Remote's motion-sensing function, allowing you to swing the remote as you would a golf club. Players can choose their clubs, line up shots, swing and even add fade or draw with a flick of their wrist. Players must gauge wind conditions, choose clubs carefully, and read the green correctly in order to perform the best shots. The game features both single player and multiplayer modes for up to four players. You can also play online using the WiFi connection for two players in Friend Play or World Play. In addition, the game features different game modes including tournament, character matches, stroke play, and mini-games. Each course features it's own unique obstacles, and players can unlock additional courses as well as characters by playing through the different game modes. You can also unlock costumes for your characters, including Capcom-theme outfits such as Apollo Justice, Arthur and Chun-Li. Developed in partnership with Camelot Software Planning. Details: Capcom Entertainment, Inc., www.capcom.com. Price: $50. Ages: 7-up. Platform: Wii. Teaches/Purpose: golf. Entry date: 7/17/2008. 1 WebPlus X2: Website Maker "Design your own website without having to learn HTML code" is what it says on the box of this utility, being marketed to educators. The package includes built-in multimedia and Web 2.0 support for adding Flash animations, videos, blogs and podcasts, and integrated e-commerce which allows schools to create a fully transactional Web site. Details: Serif, Inc., www.serif.com. Price: $80. Ages: 12-up. Platform: Windows. Teaches/Purpose: webiste maker. Entry date: 7/9/2008. 1 Wii MotionPlus Few would argue that the Nintendo Wii's motion sensing controllers, with their tiny hidden accelerometers, are pretty amazing. But could they be better? Nintendo seems to think so, at least for tasks like wood chopping, sword fighting or Frisbee throwing; tasks that require the direct mapping of your arms speed and position with an on-screen avatar. The solution? The Wii MotionPlus, a matchbox-sized attachment that plugs into the end of the Wii remote, designed to "more quickly and accurately reflect motions in a 3-D space" according to PR materials. There are no extra batteries; the device draws power from the Wii Remote, and it also works with the existing accelerometers and sensor bar to more accurately track arm position. We're not too sure how the thing works, but we did try it "first hand" (pun intended) to throw a Frisbee, and it did seem a bit better than the regular Wii remote. When I attempted a behind the back throw, the device accurately mapped a nose-dive. Wii Motion Plus will be bundled with Wii Sports Resort; both arrive in the Spring of 2009. Details: Nintendo of America, www.nintendo.com. Price: $call. Ages: 3-up. Platform: Wii. Teaches/Purpose: movement, physical education, gross motor movement. Entry date: 7/30/2008. 1 Wii Sports Resort When the Wii first shipped, in November of 2006, it came with a copy of Wii Sports, with addicting versions of tennis, bowling and boxing that people grew to love; and associated with the Wii itself. This second title in the Wii Sports franchise, Wii Sports Resort expands on this idea, and comes bundled with the Wii MotionPlus attachment, that snaps into the end of the Wii Remote, and expands the motions sensing abilities. According to PR materials, the device "provides smoother mapping between your actual motions and the movements of your on-screen avatar." Nintendo calls it the most "responsive and realistic experience possible," but we didn't notice much difference between it and the regular Wii controls. Perhaps it is 5% better? Hard to tell. Designed for one to four players and due early 2009, Wii Sports Resort takes place on a tropical island with beach games like wood chopping, jet ski racing, sword fighting and Frisbee throwing. Perhaps that's where Nintendo designers have been spending some time, due to the success of the first Wii Sports title. Details: Nintendo of America, www.nintendo.com. Price: $call. Ages: 5-up. Platform: Wii. Teaches/Purpose: sports, grows motor coordination, timing. Entry date: 7/30/2008. 1 27 NEW & FUTURE RELEASES AUGUST 1, 2008 Wonder World Amusement Park Thirty unlockable mini-games for the Wii can be found in this 3D amusement park, with five themed zones (Carnival, Spookyville, Fairytale, Pirate and Space). The quality varies considerably in each activity, but in general, the games are fast and fun — thanks to the Wii's controls. You use your Wii Remote and Nunchuk (required) to throw, draw, shoot, and shake your way to the prizes. Rides include Bumper Cars, Pirate Ship, Tunnel of Love, Sky Cannon, and Castle Terror. There are three modes of play including a Story Mode (single-player mode where you navigate the theme park, play games, and win prizes); Quick Play (multi-player for one to four players); and Party Mode (turn-based multiplayer game for two to four players). Details: Majesco Entertainment, www.majescoentertainment.com. Price: $40. Ages: 6-up. Platform: Wii. Teaches/Purpose: timing, gross motor coordination, some reading. Entry date: 7/14/2008. 124 Zoo Hospital In this one-player Nintendo DS veterinarian simulation, players take on the role of an intern for the summer at a clinic where they treat a variety of exotic zoo animals — including eagles, kangaroos, jaguars and zebras. In order to succeed, you must interpret body language, soothe animals, perform examinations using the touch screen and use the stylus in medical mini games to treat illnesses, administer injections, apply ointment, pull teeth, remove deadly microbes and X-ray organs. The game starts with 10 animals, and players can unlock another 30. There is also a twoplayer cooperative mode. Reading is required. Developed by Torus Games for Majesco. Details: Majesco Entertainment, www.majescoentertainment.com. Price: $30. Ages: 8-up. Platform: Nintendo DS. Teaches/Purpose: science, biology, reading. Entry date: 7/16/2007. 116 Zoo Tycoon 2 DS In Zoo Tycoon 2 DS, players can experience new exotic animals and environments. The game features three different modes of play that allow players to layout and customize their zoo as Zoo Designer, maximize its financial success as Zoo Director, or interact and care for their animals as Zookeeper. Players use the touch screen and stylus to construct their zoo, purchase animals, and design exhibits. Players can all exchange zoo data and compete with friends wirelessly using DS multi-card play. Details: THQ, Inc., www.thq.com. Price: $30. Ages: 8-up. Platform: Nintendo DS. Teaches/Purpose: Economics, balancing a budget, managing resources, Science, maintaining life, ecosystems, reading. Entry date: 2/8/2008. 121 28 Aut Edit Aut Edit Aut Edit
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