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The Mathtastic Game Show

Publisher: Ohio Distinctive Software
Reviewer:
Anise Hollingshead

Review Date:
3/8/2002
The Mathtastic Game Show

Match wits with your friends or the computer, or play alone to see just how high your math score can be!

The Mathtastic Game Show is a math-based quiz show with a good range of basic math operations. Beginning with addition/subtraction facts, then moving on to multiplication/division, the program eventually offers increasing difficulty with problems involving cube roots. The host offers encouragement along the way, plus silly prizes.

Ohio Distinctive is a well-known publisher of affordable school educational software. Most of their programs are fairly simple, consisting of question and answer sessions, sometimes interspersed with an easy arcade game. The big plus for schools here is the very low price range ($5-$10) and the low system requirements. The quality of their products vary from mediocre to very good. The Mathtastic Game Show is a nice math drill program for grades 2-7 to practice their math facts. However, on the harder levels of division, it's pretty hard to come up with the answer without working it out on paper, at least for us. (While I'm fond of math and took several higher math courses in school, mental math is not my forte.)

Install:  Easy
No installation as such is necessary.

Gameplay: 7
Fun math quiz format to practice math facts.

Graphics: 8
Vibrant graphics, but not much animation.

Sound:  7
Cute music, but nothing to get excited about.

Difficulty: 7
There are several difficulty levels to choose from, making it as challenging as desired. The interface is easy to navigate.

Concept: 7 
While nicely done, nothing new here.

Overall: 7
Most kids enjoy answering quiz problems against the timer, although some have anxiety about time limits. This math program is a good way to practice math facts in a school setting, and teachers will love the price.

 

KidZone Reviewer Ratings:

Game Play 7
Graphics 8
Sound 7
Difficulty 7
Concept 7
Overall 7

Click for screen shot 1 of The Mathtastic Game Show
Click for screen shot 2 of The Mathtastic Game Show
Click for screen shot 3 of The Mathtastic Game Show
Click for screen shot 4 of The Mathtastic Game Show

Test System:
CPU - PII 450
RAM - 128 RAM
Video - TNT nVidia 16 MB video
Hard Drive - 3 GB HD
OS - Win 98
Monitor - 19" Trinitron Monitor
Sound - Turtle Beach Montego II Sound
Modem - Toshiba Cable Modem
Installation Easy