Soft Flash
Coming Up!
by Anise Hollingshead
January 1998As I was making my weekly cruise through Wal-Mart's software section the other night, I was struck by how crowded the software shelves were. Games were crammed in any which way, and the children's titles were fighting for space with the adults. Granted, this was only a few weeks after Christmas, but there was still an amazing amount of children's software selections as compared to three years ago, and with many new games on the way! Several companies have either just released a new title, or will this spring.
A newcomer to the edutainment field, Gizmo Gypsies has released their first in a series of interactive adventure stories, The Little Wizard, a CD-ROM and DVD. They offer a new twist on interactive stories: web users will be able to receive updates to the adventure, which will add new characters, more music, and more depth to the story, enhancing its replayability. Gizmo Gypsies also plan on developing Internet ready, multi-player games and interactive comic books for young teens, and an Internet service for kids at home or school. Retail price is $29.95.
The Learning Company has two new releases for January, Reader Rabbit's 1st Grade and The Cluefinders' 3rd Grade Adventures, which are both being offered for $29.95. In Reader Rabbitt's 1st Grade, the player joins Reader Rabbit and his friends the day before the big variety show, only to discover the supplies are missing. In the process of making the costumes, props, sets, and scripts, the player takes part in over a dozen activities that introduce first grade curriculum. The Cluefinders' 3rd Grade Adventures is the first in a series of mystery-adventure games that are geared for the upper elementary grades. Featuring the Cluefinders, the game takes place in the rainforest, where they must rescue a famous scientist, capture a monster, and find a Lost City. With more than 20 educational activities that build 75 skills and four levels of difficulty, The Cluefinders' 3rd Grade Adventure promises to thoroughly cover 3rd grade subject matter.
Spring will see a new addition to the Junior Adventure Series from Humongous Entertainment, Freddi Fish 3: The Case of the Stolen Conch Shell, which will be priced at $29.95. During a vacation in the tropics with Luther's Uncle Blenny, The Great Conch Shell is stolen, and Uncle Blenny is the prime suspect. As with their other Junior Adventure games, Humongous promises a new adventure each time you play. Mattel will also release a sequel to Barbie Fashion Designer, Barbie Cool Looks Fashion Designer, slated for release in the spring. This sequel will feature 3D environments, and allow the player to choose from more than 80 patterns and 30 different colors to design original outfits that can then be worn by Barbie and her friends in 5 different settings.
KD Review - Grownups Place - Kids Home - DownloadsCopyright © 1998 The Kid's Domain
Send comments and suggestions to: cindy@kidsdomain.com
