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Zoombinis Mini 2 Pack

Zoombinis Mini 2 Pack

List Price: $19.99
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: This lost a star for the difficulty of the higher levels.
Review: My younger sisters and I have been homeschooled for years, and our math teacher makes a point of bringing math computer programs for us to play durig the week. She brought us "Logical Journey of the Zoombinis" a few years ago, and we all became hooked. Even my older sister gave it a try. Once we figured out how to solve the puzzles, we had so much fun. Then we lost the CD and couldn't find it anywhere.

A few months ago, we saw this on amazon.com and were delighted! Of course we ordered another copy. Being older (14 1/2, 12, and 10 1/2) we had learned more math and were able to get to the higher levels. That's where we started having problems with it.

The levels go from extremely easy to ridiculously difficult in so little time. It would be better if they spent more time on each level and worked your way up gradually, or if they didn't even get to levels that are so difficult. Not one of us (including my oldest sister, now 17) has won Zoombinis. This isn't even because we haven't figured out how to solve the highest levels, because we have. It's because of another problem with the game. You have to get way too many Zoombinis to Zoombiniville (over 500, I think). Each trip, which can take about forty-five minutes, transports only sixteen Zoombinis. After maybe ten max trips, you're on the highest level. That's pretty hard, and you get bored with doing the same things over and over. As it is, none of us have gotten very many past 200 to Zoombiniville. We simply get bored.

Plus, it says that the age range is 8 and up. Don't let this fool you. A very intelligent 8-year-old would probably be able to figure out the level-one and level-two puzzles, but not many puzzles on higher levels.

My final verdict is: Great game, lots of fun, but gets too hard too easily and would take too long to actually win.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A bit difficult for 8 yr. olds, some glitches
Review: The reasoning ability needed is said to develop in the ninth year, which we found accurate. Most children under 9.5 can enjoy it, but need a lot of help. Even then only the brightest will succeed without some initial assistance on the more difficult stages, but once they get the idea they can handle new problems on their own.

One time the program hung up when we waited a long time on the pinball stage. The delays at the end of some stages are annoying; it is not clear whether it is done.

Most important, though, is that the kids love it so far, and they are probably learning something of the listed skills. Ican't compare it with Logical Journey of the Zoombinis.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Nice Game, but just a little hard
Review: I got this game with a multipack and it rocks!!! But just kind of a little hard but I like it.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Wouldn't work
Review: I couldn't get this to work on a brand new Dell with XP and mega memory.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Best
Review: Quite simply the best computer game ever made for children of all ages. I've been buying computer games for over 20 years and none has ever had the staying power and pure fun that Zoombinis has. Children of 4 and 5 love to set up the zoombini characters and watch it played long before they understand most of the logic. And you can watch them learn to think as they grow older and love the game that much more. Even 12-year-olds still enjoy the harder levels of play. Not even the later Zoombini games can hold hold a candle to this original masterpiece.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Horrible - Confusing instructions, Dry gameplay
Review: After reading all of these 5 star reviews, I decided to buy a copy of Zoombinis Logical Journey for my 8 year old boy. Once I successfully installed the game, I left the rest to my son. Two minutes later, he came up to me and said he didn't know what to do. I went back to the screen and all I saw was a little ship, some mountains and what looked like little comical body parts to build a character. There were absolutely NO instruction on the screen. The makers expected a little 8 year old kid to know that they should hit the pink hidden questionmark in the corner for instructions. Once clicked, it puts confusing instructions (confusing for little kids) using "big" words such as attributes and other words a little kid needs to ask mom define. Once I figured out that you needed to build 16 different Zoombinis, the little characters are taken to another screen where the player needs to put them in a certain order. If the player fails to do this, he/she loses all of the little Zoombinis except for 3 or 4 out of the original 16 that were created. And thats it...the game ends.

When a player does complete the task required, they don't get a "good job" or "Yay! you did it!" Instead the game exclaims, "And the zoombinis move on." Absolutely no motivation or reward to congratulate the player on a job well done.

On top of that, there is no "Save Game" button. Lucky for me, my older son knew that one needs to press Ctrl+S to save the game.

The "no numbers required -- all logic" motto caught my eye when I was looking for a game to purchase. THERE IS ONLY ONE CHALLENGE - The player needs to put the Zoombinis in a certain order where the an "attribute" of the next Zoombini is the same as a Zoombini previous to it. This idea is followed through the entire game except for a couple of mini games. The only difference between levels is the color or characters that need help in completing a task. For example, the Zoombinis need to cross a river. In order to do this, they have to hop on some turtles' shells to get the other side. Put the Zoombinis in a specific order (explained before). The next level would be a frog that will only row the boat if the Zoombinis put themselves in a certain order - except this time they need to put themselves in an order in such a manner that they form a rectangle. Very little variation.

Worst game ever created. I HIGHLY recommend that you buy a different game.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: good
Review: I got this for our 9 year old brainiac nephew and it was a huge hit. He's spent tons of time playing it and it's so much fun that I want one for myself. The program seems to work very well, he's really fast on it and loves the music too.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I Love Zoombinis!!!
Review: I LOVE THIS GAME! it's challenging and it really makes little brains think outside the box. Its more than 2+2=4 learning its reasoning and problem solving which is really good for young ones. They can begin to work on solving problems with their brains not their tears. Depending on the level you set the game on it challenges all ages....and I do mean all ages. I still play and I'm 24! I play with my mom & my little brother (who is 7) he loves it!

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Not for Mac Users
Review: Although this product lists for Mac users, don't bother. It is not compatible with System 10 and jagged and pops and unexepectedly quits with System 9. A disappointment because I think our children could have benefited from this. Designers need to update as the technology progresses.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Awesome Logic Game!!!
Review: I got this game years ago when it was still called "Logical Journey of the Zoombinis" but it's still the same game. I'm 17 years old, OK? I STILL like this game, lol. It's so cute how each of the Zoombinis has its own name and each is unique (save for one twin). The puzzles are great! This is going to sound nuts, but even though I got a 35 on the ACT including a 35 on the math part, some of these puzzles are STILL challenging for me at the harder levels! I just love logic puzzles. If you like logic puzzles, no matter what your age, this is a great game. I also like the fact that you get a monument for each trip segment and level that you get a perfect score on (aka you don't lose any Zoombinis). It probably could've had a cooler ending once you beat it all; that was the only disappointing thing. Otherwise, great!


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