Turning ‘Tweeners’ Into Geniuses

What makes for great software for “tweeners,” kids in between childhood and the teenage years? Consider this recipe: a quiz show with a hilarious host, academic questions presented in hip language, flashy graphics and pulsating music. Two software companies, Disney Interactive and DK Interactive, are banking on this mix.

Disney’s “Zoog Genius” is a game show set in the Zeether Universe, a favorite place for tweens who watch “Zoog Disney” on television. From DK Interactive Learning, we get “So You Want to Be a Genius?,” a dual CD-ROM that includes the new “Brain Buster Quiz” and reintroduces 1998’s “Children’s Encyclopedia.”

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“Zoog Genius”

The “Zoog Genius” series includes two software titles that are identical except that the content of the quiz questions varies. Consumers can choose from “Zoog Genius: Language Arts, History and Geography” or “Zoog Genius: Math, Science and Technology.”

To become a contestant in a “Zoog Genius” game show, children sign in and choose between a seven-question and a 17-question game. They have the option of playing against the computer or a live player. The player also can control the content difficulty by selecting from three levels. The off-screen hosts provide plenty of humorous, hip banter.

Before a question appears, kids select the type of question from three category choices. The clever writers offer such gems as “Miss Spell or Miss Stakes” for spelling questions. All questions are multiple-choice.

“Zoog Genius” has a special option that easily allows players or teachers to create their own questions. The program provides the option of having the questions read aloud during the game as well as being presented as text, but this read-aloud technology didn’t work on one of our computers. It was way cool on another.

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“So You Want to Be a Genius?”

This two-CD set covers a wide range of material. The first CD is “Children’s Encyclopedia,” a 650,000-word reference title that allows children to explore 20 three-dimensional worlds. The second CD is the game show “Brain Buster Quiz.”

“Brain Buster Quiz” is similar to “Zoog Genius.” Kids sign in, choose between a one- or two-player mode and select level of difficulty. Each player is assigned a “Zap-in” key on the keyboard.

In “Brain Buster Quiz,” contestants play three rounds of five questions. Unlike “Zoog Genius,” which offers only multiple-choice questions, “Brain Buster Quiz” offers many question formats.

Contestants compete for the highest score and try to collect 60 jokes from Seemore Skinless, the witty skeleton host.

Children who enjoy game shows will find much to like in “Zoog Genius” and “Brain Buster Quiz.” Both are strong titles with many similarities, but each has unique strengths.

“Zoog Genius” offers:

* Better replay value, by providing players the ability to add their own questions and to download additional question packs from the Internet.

* Easier use, by more clearly identifying which player responds after buzzing in.

* More in-depth educational experience, because it explains each answer.

* More entertaining banter.

“Brain Buster Quiz” delivers:

* Better value, because it includes “Brain Buster Quiz” and “Children’s Encyclopedia” for the price of one “Zoog Genius” title.

* More questions.

* More variety, with a mix of question types.

Before buying either title, gauge a child’s interest in game show software. Choose the “So You Want to Be a Genius?” package for occasional players because it provides better value. Choose “Zoog Genius” for avid quiz players. If you are a teacher looking for classroom fun, choose “Zoog Genius.”

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Jinny Gudmundsen is editor of Choosing Children’s Software magazine.

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The Skinny

“Zoog Genius: Language Arts, History and Geography” and “Zoog Genius: Math, Science and Technology”

Price: $20 each

Ages: 9 to 12

Platform: PC/Mac

System requirements: On the PC, a Pentium 166 with 32 MB of RAM and 80 MB of available hard disk space. On the Mac, a G3 233 with 64 MB of RAM and 80 MB of available hard disk space.

Publisher: Disney Interactive

The good: Make-your-own-questions option

The bad: Text-to-speech technology doesn’t always work

Bottom line: A cool quiz show that delivers the educational goods

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“So You Want to Be a Genius?”

Price: $20 Ages: 8 to 12

Platform: PC

System requirements: A Pentium 166 with 32 MB of RAM and 20 MB of available hard drive space

Publisher: DK Interactive Learning

The good: More than 1,500 questions in the quiz show

The bad: Banter gets repetitive

Bottom line: A two-CD package with a fun game show title that quizzes academic subjects