Finding kids games is as easy as going to the store. Finding a game that will hold their attention long enough for you to feel like you’ve gotten your money’s worth can be more difficult. Here is a list of CD-ROM games kids will be playing long after the new year. Prices are in the $20-$40 range (suggested ages are in parentheses).
– Sonic 3D Blast (7 and up). Sonic has never looked better than he does in this 3-D action game. Players must navigate intricate mazes and tunnels to beat the evil Dr Robtnik. Along the way players will discover how to use Sonic’s new weapon and uncover numerous hidden stages.
– Smart Games (14 and up). Play 300 frustratingly addictive games and puzzles. Smart Games contains a wide variety of brain teasers such as wordplay games, challenging math problems and perception puzzlers. Players can choose the type of problems to be solved or pick puzzles at random.
– Wishbone Print Tricks (7 and up). Wishbone, TV’s canine celebrity, assists kids with 20 different print projects such as making greeting cards, banners, electronic postcards and posters. Future graphic designers can print the templates as they are or customize the text or graphics.
– Tonka Construction (4 and up). Ready to go beyond owning Tonka trucks and want to take on a construction project? Tonka Construction, lets kids build roads in the mountains and desert, design parks and blast through mountains. The fledgling contractor is guided along the way by Tonka Joe and his crew.
– Candy Land Adventures (3 and up). King Kandy has been kidnapped by the evil Lord Licorice, and Candy Land is in danger. Gamers must go on a magical adventure to save the king. Along the way, kids learn more about counting, memory and matching, basic math skill and the alphabet.
– Star Warped (13 and up). Parody game that spoofs “Star Wars” allows gamers to poke and prod Ewoks, seek psychic solace from Yoda in a fortune-telling forum and test their knowledge of “Star Wars” trivia in “U Don’t Know Jedi.” Gamers can explore 12 different humorous game modules.
– School House Rock series (6-10). Learn grammar and math skills with classic songs such as “Conjunction Junction, What’s Your Function” and “Lolly, Lolly, Lolly Get Your Adverbs Here” from the hit Saturday morning TV show. The series is full of interactive games and projects that measure kid’s progress.
– The Baby-sitters Club (7 and up). Become the newest member of the club. Program helps preteens stay organized and communicate with their friends by helping them build a calendar to remember important dates and an address book to keep track of friends and family. Members also can keep a secret journal, create custom cards, stationery and posters.
– My Teacher is an Alien (8-12). An action adventure game based on Bruce Coville’s book by the same name. The game takes place over the course of one school week in which players must solve puzzles and identify which teacher is an alien.
– Nile: An Ancient Egyptian Quest (7 and up). Explore this ancient civilization in all its glory. Players must rescue three pharaohs of ancient Egypt by building a pyramid, spearing fish, playing ancient games and exploring the region.
– All Dogs Go to Heaven Activity Center (3-8). Gamers play in 12 dog-themed areas allowing kids to play, color, solve puzzles and play music along with characters from the animated feature films “All Dogs Go to Heaven” and “All Dogs Go to Heaven II.”
