advertisement

red line
SuperKids Software Review - The Parent's and Teacher's Guide to Childrens' Software
free newsletter! spacer tell a friend! spacer contests
spacer
software
  reviews
  bestseller list
  price survey
  what's new
  product support
  search
spacer
educational tools
  ask a scientist
  math worksheets
  vocabulary builders
  hangman
  iPhone/iPad apps
  logic games
  brain food
spacer
educational insights

feature articles
spacer
marketplace
  iPhone/iPad apps
  reading corner
  movie corner
spacer
SuperKids home
  about SuperKids
  advertise!
  humor
  links
  help
spacer
  * * *

Promotions




  * * *

spacer all reviews > > > Early Learning software

Tonka Garage

Hasbro Interactive

Ages 5 and up

Rating Scale
5 = great,    1 = poor
Educational Value - 4.0 Kid Appeal - 4.8 Ease of Use - 4.6

Tonka Garage Screen Shot System Requirements

PC / Mac Price Survey

Product Support

With Tonka Garage, grease monkeys of all ages finally get the opportunity to work at a full-service garage, designing, building and customizing their own vehicles, without ever getting dirty! This fun program allows kids to explore the workings of a virtual service station, earn "Cool Tool" rewards, and eventually become Master Mechanics and part owners of the garage.

Tonka Garage Headquarters is bustling with activity. Many unique areas provide the user with realistic situations to pursue. The Office is where jobs are posted, vehicles are designed, decals are made, and Cool Tools are stored. At the Junkyard, the user creates metal from old vehicles that is crushed, melted and subsequently reused. Creations are painted and detailed at Paint Shop and completed masterpieces are displayed in the Showroom for all to admire.

Of course, turning out good-looking cars and trucks is only part of the garage owner's duties. Tonka Headquarters also includes a Repair Shop, where the body-work, and wheel and brake adjustment is completed. Vehicles can also be performance and crash-tested with the help of pals Crash Test Tony and his assistant Knocks.

Finally, the user can choose to join Chad, the Gas Station attendant, as he pumps gas, adds oil and changes fluids for the thankful Tonka Town population.

Educational Value
Although not possessed with classroom-type learning environments, Tonka Garage provides kids with a non-arcade and non-violent computer experience. Garage activities require young students to practice their fine-motor and problem-solving skills as they carefully manipulate tools and vehicles with precise mouse movement. Tools used are identified and explained, and the processes that go into designing, manufacturing and maintaining cars and trucks are detailed.

Kid Appeal
Our kid testers of both sexes enjoyed Tonka Garage. Younger kids had some difficulties maneuvering the vehicles, but with practice were able to become adequately proficient. All were enthusiastic about the portions that involve the adorable plastic crash-test dummy 'Knocks' who constantly bemoans his fate, and yet, when ejected from his seat, joyfully flips in the air, landing triumphantly on his feet. "I liked crashing the cars!" and "The test drives are the best!" were common reports.

Ease of Use / Install
Tonka Garage installed without a hitch on Windows 95. The User's Manual included in the CD-ROM case is very helpful in understanding how to complete certain tasks, as is the 'Help' section, which can be accessed from any screen by clicking the intercom icon.

Best for... / Bottom-Line
Kids who like cars and trucks will find that Tonka Garage is almost as good as the real thing!

See SuperKids' comparisons with other Early Learning software titles, and the Buyers Guide for current market prices of this PC-only program.

System Requirements
PC: Windows 95, 90 MHz or faster cpu, 16 MB RAM, SVGA 8 Bit Color display, Double-speed or faster CD-ROM, Sound card

Reviewed on:

  • Pentium166 with 24MB and 12XCD
  • return to top of page



    Go to: About SuperKids Educational Software Review
    Questions or comments regarding this site? webmaster@superkids.com
    Copyright © 1998-2024 Knowledge Share LLC. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy