Math Blaster Ages 9-12
Reviewed by Anise Hollingshead
Published by Davidson

Age Group: Age 8 and Up Type: Math, Thinking Games Price: $34.95

PC version requires:
P60, 16RAM, 2x CD-ROM, 16Bit High-Color

Mac version requires:
PowerMac, 7.1, 16RAM, 2x CD-ROM

Description:

Take basic math facts and combine them with arcade action and what do you have? Mathblaster, of course! Davidson has released yet another title in its math series, one that is specifically aimed for 3rd, 5th, and 6th graders.

Davidson states on the box that there are two reasons most parents buy education software, and that is to either help a struggling child, or challenge an advanced one. This title will certainly do both of those things, but even if your child is average in math, neither ahead nor behind, this game is a good choice for him or her also! This title is just plain fun, and the math practice is well integrated, never forced.

The difficulty level of the arcade games is adjustable: easy, medium, and hard. The difficulty of the math progresses each time you play. I chose easy, of course (failed Nintendo School) and my 6th grader chose hard! Needless to say, she beat me hands down! Even players who are directionally challenged, and lack eye-hand coordination, will enjoy these games. My favorite game was Cube Quest, where the player has to figure out how to gather the cubes by opening doors with different buttons and pullchains, which allows a game character access to other areas, where the character in turn can free the others.

Features:

• Lots and lots of math practice!
• Arcade games
• Reward of piece of the ending video for each game finished
• Broad range of math skills, 3rd, 4th, and 6th grades

Technical Aspects:

Mathblaster 9-12 was a breeze to install! Under Windows 95, the Installshield did all the work for you. The box was very descriptive of the game content, and most of the games are pictured on the box.

Report and Conclusions:

This is a welcome addition to anyone's educational software library, and will certainly be in use here. As a rule, I don't like arcade games, but this game is fun! Come on kids, it's my turn to play now, move over!

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