Disney's Math Quest with Aladdin

See the Summary Rating Table for comparisons with other Math software titles, the Buyers Guide for current prices of the PC and Mac versions.

Reviewed on:
Performa 6400/200 with 32MB and 8XCD
Pentium166 with 16MB and a 12XCD

Description
With Math Quest, Disney Interactive has created an Indiana Jones-like adventure, filled with math-based problem-solving activities. Math Quest features characters and voices from the successful Disney movie “Aladdin,” including the Robin Williams, reprising his role as the quick-witted, velvet-tongued Genie.

The story begins as the evil genie ‘Bizzarah’ escapes from her lamp and imprisons Aladdin, Jasmine, and Abu. Genie must rescue them, and he needs the user's help. The quest involves a series of challenges, including escaping from a dungeon (using sorting skills and mental computation), bartering with street vendors in the marketplace (using equalities), creating magic potions (logical reasoning), winning tickets at a carnival (mental addition and subtraction), unlocking secret doors (matching patterns) and much more. Each challenge incorporates math drills in ways that make them seem exciting. With Robin Williams as guide, the quest continues to unfold as each activity is successfully completed.

Ease of Install / Use
Math Quest installed without difficulty on our reviewers' PCs and Macs. The small handbook included in the CD case explains each of the program’s activities in an easily understood manner.

Educational Value
Math Quest's educational focus is on problem-solving and practice. It takes math practice out of the dull context of repetitive drills, and incorporates it in fun experiences that not only drill but illustrate as well. Three levels of difficulty provide positive reinforcement to learners with varied abilities, while motivating them to continue to work at developing their skills.

Kid Appeal
With an intriguing storyline filled with favorite Disney characters, and animation quality similar to Saturday morning cartoons, Math Quest garnered great praise from our young reviewers. "It's just like watching cartoons, but you get to play, too!" noted one seven year-old girl. Robin William's spontaneous humor often appealed to their parents, as well.

Best for... / Bottom-Line
Math Quest is best for the young child who already knows basic math facts (addition and subtraction) and wants to sharpen and play with these skills. Although it involves a quest, math activities are the main focus of the program -- success is dependent on correctly solving the math problems, not on tireless hours spent searching and retracing movements.

See the Summary Rating Table for comparisons with other Math software titles, the Buyers Guide for current prices of the PC and Mac versions.

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