This week Billy is caught up in a short, but moving game called Orikami that tackles some tough subject matter in a great way. Find out how this little game can have a big impact on players in our weekly TimeWaster column.
Learn Science is a new title for the Nintendo DS that makes learning fun for kids of all ages. Given the somewhat lacking educational game market these days, this one fills a need.
Guitar Hero lets you become a rock star, playing a well-made guitar at the right time to really power up your rock avatar. Truly it’s an ingenious and fun game.
Learning with Nemo is surprisingly fun, and a good educational title. Although it’s a little bit short on content, two to five year old players will enjoy it.
Math can be a hard subject for a lot of kids, but The Number Devil not only acts as a great tool, but also is actually fun to play.
Mind Palace Memory Games uses 2,500 year old techniques to strengthen your memory. And besides being useful, it’s also a lot of fun.
Barbie Mermaid Adventure is another excellent title in the beautifully drawn, slightly educational series loved by young girls the world over.
The Fritz 8 chess game is a powerful teacher of chess, and also a powerful opponent. Many times during my tests I felt like a grandmaster was sitting the room with me, analyzing my every move. I can safely say that I am a better chess player because of my experience with Fritz 8. When you load up Fritz 8, you can instantly begin playing. But before you do, you probably want to set up the levels of skill that best match your playing style. I found that in automatic matching mode, Fritz did a good job of keeping up … Continue reading Fritz 8 is Brains and Beauty
I have never been so appalled at a piece of so-called educational software in my life. Millie Meter is so far from educational as to be down right offensive at times, though mostly it’s just an absurd piece of software. The game begins with the heroine, Millie Meter walking among boulders. One of them has a stomachache. He asks Millie to get in a helicopter (they call it something cute, but it’s a helicopter) that he just happens to keep nearby in case he wants anyone to travel through his digestive system. This beginning is the first problem. I don’t … Continue reading Millie Meter's Nutrition Adventure Falls Flat
ALPHABET: Play with the ABCs, is exactly what it says. It is an opportunity to play with each letter of the alphabet in its own unique way. Based on the art of Czech artist Kveta Pacoska, letters float and fade in and out on the screen. The child can double click on one which will take him to a screen of just that letter. Then he/she has to figure out how to effect the letter, sometimes blowing into the microphone will ripple the letter. Sometimes it’s a matter of moving the mouse so that a letter like "G" will eat … Continue reading Play with the ABCs Makes Letters Friendly
