Features

• Build imaginative machines in this creative and addictively fun brainteaser
• Turn cranks, rotate gears, pull levers, and more to build unique contraptions
• Solve more than 200 challenging puzzles; put your machines to work
• Physics engine with air-pressure, electricity, gravity, and particle effects
• Experiment with gears, robots, explosives, and more in your own virtual lab

Reviews (35)

We'd give it 10 stars if we could!
Kids and adults love solving the puzzles.It is a great intro to basic physics (w/o your kids realizing it!)There are problems to solve and you have to place tools (pulleys, balls, dominoes, candles, etc.) in the right place in order for the goal to be accomplished.Our 5 year old needs help; our 8 year old plays alone.Our friends' teenagers enjoy it also.

~WOW~
This game is a lot of fun. You need to use your head and think about how to solve all of these "wacky contraptions." At first, I thought it was a challenge, but then it got easier and easier. I'm almost at the end of the game and can't wait to see what happens!

North Dakota Kid
I am 8 years old and I got Crazy Machines for my Birthday.This is the best game in the world but if you don't like complicated things you won't this game.The four main things are fire, rope, electronics,and the next one I will let you discover.You can either build your own machine or you can figure out problems that may seem hard but after you've done them awhile they are easy.Some of the things that you can build with are boards, balls, robots, cannons, goo, blimps, cords, gravity controlers, scissors, tubes, and plants.Buy this game and have tons of fun! ... Read more

Features

• CD-ROM
• Designed with extensive input from teachers and students
• Ability to control which graphics libraries are active for a project
• Bilingual - English/Spanish Support
• A 17% larger workspace, visible menu bar, tool tips, and help movies make Kid Pix Deluxe 4 for Kids easier to use
• For Ages 4 and Up

Reviews (26)

One of Two Top Software My Daughter Loves
Right along with the Giggles software this is the highest ranking software for my 3-year-old daughter. As Giggles taught her mouse movement and clicks, Kid Pix Delux has given her a new freedom of interactivity. While she can drag and drop amazing backgrounds, she loves to create lines and circles as they stretch and make goofy sounds. I set this program to automatically start when she turns on her computer. For some reason she loves to exit out of Kid Pix Delux first, go to Giggles (search Amazon for this product,) giggle at the cutest giggles when this program starts, and then comes right back to Kid Pix Delux to do her art work. The CD I bought is for Windows.

can't download to mac
I haven't even figured out how to download to my Mac. The Broderbund website is terrible, can't find correct information. No customer service, no telephone # that works. I am really frustrated. Thinking of returning product. My son will be really disappointed. I'd rather buy him paints.

Son Loves It
My son loves this program.It keeps him entertained for a while. Even I have played with it. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Nancy Drew: Danger by Design continues the popular award-winning interactive PC game series with Nancy Drew flying to Paris to investigate the strange and unexplained behavior of a top fashion designer. Sent by a nervous investor to check on Minette, a leading fashion designer whose recently strange behavior may delay her Spring Collection and potentially derail the fashion house, Nancy Drew must unlock the many inexplicable mysteries that include strange threats and unwelcome guests at Minette's place. But with unsettling rumors that date back to an unsolved, historic mystery, Nancy can easily get distracted from the task at hand.Read more

Features

• Nancy Drew needs to fly to Paris to investigate the strange and unexplained behavior of Minette, a top fashion designer
• You must sort through a wide web of suspects and unsettling rumors to look for clues
• You'll meet Jing-Jing Ling, who may be out for revenge, and the famous photographer, Dieter von Schwesterkrank, who once had an ill-fated romance with Minette
• Explore underground catacombs and abandoned metro stations for clues, and examines age-old stories and rumors
• This exciting interactive game is rated "E" for everyone

Reviews (45)

Not Nancy Drew's Best
I was very excited when I heard that the newest Nancy Drew PC game would take place in Paris and yet, it didn't live up to my expectiations.The running errands and chains of "if you do this for me then i'll give you..." that always appear in these games were more tedious than any before and took up most of the game.Beside that I had trouble understanding the plot, many elements of the game were not explained (like why one character had electrical engeneering books), and the motive of the criminal was too far fetched to believe.Combined with the fact that the Parisian setting was not used to it's full potential, Danger by Design is a sign that Herinteractive is running out of ideas.

Nancy Drew Rocks
Even though Nancy Drew does rock, this wasn't my favorite game by HerInteractive.I know it takes Herinteractive a lot of pressure and time to create these games.My feeling is that The Nancy Drew game series is starting to decline.All the Nancy Drew games I have played I would rate 5 stars.Danger by Design disapointed me due to lack of diolague and how many things did not add up.One example is the why did someone not explain why s/he had a certain book.Of course the graphics are AMAZING and the characters have their charm as always, and Nancy Drew is still the best.I just hope that Herinteractive does a better job on their next game "Creature of Kapa Cave."

An Awesome Fashion/Puzzle Game!
I think this game rocks! You should try the demo at herinteractive.com first because it is a perfect example of what the game is like. I loved it because I love fashion but even if you aren't a total fashion fanatic like me you'll still love the latest installment in the Nancy Drew PC game series. It is by far the best that I've played although I've only played 4 and 5 besides this one.
Read more

Features

• CD-ROM
• Guide Mia in her quest to find the parts for the time machine, and collect sparklies to use as fuel
• Explore a rich and captivating new world, with film-quality animation -- but watch out for Romaine Rat, he's always up to no good
• Teaches addition, subtraction, multiplication & division; geometry; logic; angles and lines, mental computation & other skills
• Age-appropriate difficulty levels that match national education curriculum

Reviews (7)

Wonderful computer animation and fun story
Kids don't usually learn much science (in public school anyway) and this computer game REALLY helps to fill that void. It is educational, VERY attractively designed, interesting, and my [...] daughter really enjoys it! It's not too hard either.

A good blend of storytelling and fun
We got "Math Blaster" for our six-year-old, who has been a very savvy computer user since he was 18 months old.It was so difficult to maneuver the character (jump over wrong answers, run through correct ones) he actually cried over it.
My 5 year old adores this game!
My 5 year old son love the Mia character and the stories. He loves the math(which does involve time), too! Even though the age group for this game is 6-10, he had no problems on Level 1. He only needed a little help with the time telling. As for the people that say this isn't educational enough I would say that it's not boring! My son has played the game over and over and never tires of Mia! ... Read more

Features

• Solve math problems while saving the world in this educational software program
• Combines exciting, fast-action game play with state-standard math content
• Builds confidence, speed, and accuracy in basic math skills
• Covers addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
• 8 levels; parent/player-selected difficulty level; automatic progress reports

Reviews (10)

WHY NOT MAKE IT FUN!?
I have every single (that I know of) Math Blaster game out there. My kids love them all. I saw this one and couldn't resist buying it. My 12, 10, and 7 year-olds all play this version. (It's too simple for the 12 year old, but he plays as a reward for piano practice - so I'm not too concerned about his refreshing earlier math skills.) My thought it to have each child play the grade level above theirs, and that's ususally right where they're at. Yes, there are a few annoying glitches in the way some of the characters can and cannot move around (I don't play them myself to know well) but I would hope that children are not so whiny that it matters too much. I think every family should have Math Blaster Geometry, Algebra, and all grade levels. If you can make math fun, and use it as a POSITIVE REWARD...that is called a "win win"! :)

OK but some serious problems
This concept is good but the user interface and playability is terrible.My 7-year old was frustrated with being forced to use the keyboard and no mouse.And we couldn't figure out a way to go back to the main menu without exiting the game.And playing a later level requires you to go through all the earlier levels.And...did they actually test this thing on humans?What a waste of potential.It is a good concept.

A HUGE Disappoint !!
My son had an earlier version of Math Blaster, it was wonderful.I saw this new version and expected more of the same.WRONG!!After 10 minutes of loud sounds, and pulsing video, he was complaining.It was impossible to focus on what he should do with all the distracting background stuff. Never could get to a point where learning might take place.Wish I could get my money back.
Read more

Features

• CD-ROM
• When the king and queen go on vacation, young Fritz is left in charge of the castle. As he explores his surroundings, he'll learn all about chess, from the basics to advanced strategies -- and so will you!
• Discover 7 great arcade-style games that introduce chess fundamentals and advanced concepts
• Fun characters like Fritz and Chesster make learning the game fun and interesting for children
• Also includes a one-year membership to playchess.com

Reviews (56)

Don't buy this worthless game unless you love to be frustrated
I was looking for an intructional CD to help my daughter to learn chess.I read the reviews and endorsements and thought that this was what I was looking for.WRONG!
Great Trainer for New Chess Player
Our 7-year old loves this program and is learning chess the fast, fun and easy way.

Disappointing chess product
I was extremely disappointed with this chess software. With my newest PC I bought this year, the program is buggy when it comes to sound and music, which they do acknowledge in their manual.
Read more

Features

• CD-ROM
• Brand new Action mode, with Diamond and Sapphire tiles
• Save your High Scores in the Hall of Fame
• Upload your high scores to the Internet

Reviews (28)

Very addicting game
Bookworm Deluxe has been a neat change of pace type game for me. I usually play things like Doom 3, Joint Ops and so on but they can sometimes get boring. This game challenges the mind and you can easily loose track of time playing it. I've also found that it can be an educational tool if you have young kids just learning how to spell. There are a few really strange words in this game and the only thing from keeping this little gem from being a true educational tool is a better way to find out what some of those words mean. To some extent the game does this but it only seems to show up on certain words. Other then that it's a pretty cool way to challenge the mind.
Bookworm
A very enjoyable game, that can be saved to play again at a later date.Can compete with others without being online while playing.If you like words and spelling, this is the game for you.

Big Disappointment
My wife and I played the free demo game online and loved it from day one,so when i saw it for sale for $13.94 I jumped on it. The delivery was really fast,BookWorm was delivered within two days,My wife and I were really excited and ready two play,opened the packaging, popped in the disk and nothing happened ,I mean absolutely nothing,they sent me a blank disc. EACH ONE TEACH ONE. I just learned the hard way so you should'nt have to,Dont Order This Product, They're selling blank discs. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!!!! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Pirate's plunder rewards players who discover all of the hidden objects and decipher the riddles in

Features

• CD-ROM
• Challenge your child to pick out the clues in the collages -- each clue helps them get closer to finding hidden treasure
• Put all the clues together to get the map
• Explore interesting places like lighthouses, train stations, forts, and more, while using & developing kids' rhyming skill
• Once you're done, you put together the puzzle to go off in search of the treasure left behind by pirates ages ago!

Reviews (60)

Mac Users Beware!
The product description is wrong, this is NOT OSX software.It's OS9 and can only be run in "Classic" environment.Any Mac purchased in the last two years, at least, does not come with OS9.You would need to have OS9 installed on your computer in addition to OSX.This will definitely affect the performance of the software and your machine in general.
Fun for everyone!
My kids (6 and 9 years old) and I spent hours playing this game. We took turns deciding where to go, and we all helped find the hidden images.

Great product
This was a great product - it is fun and educational and the graphics are great.It was such a fun product - that I purchased it first as a download but I went ahead and purchased the actual product so that I could have a CD of it forever.Buy it - you and your children will enjoy trying to find the items. ... Read more

Features

• 3 Levels of challenging gameplay
• Tons of amimals including horses, ponies, dogs, cats, rabbits and piglets
• 100+ animal ailments to diagnose and treat!
• Earn a good repuation with pet owners and watch your business grow!
• Ride out and survey the land!

Reviews (2)

The BEST vet game ever!
I gave this game to my 7 year old daughter who has always dreamed of being a veternarian when she grows up.She absolutely LOVES this game.I have enjoyed playing it with her.We have to make money to buy feed, enclosures & supplies.She must budget, watch the time, eat, rest and sleep.Also, she has empolyees that help out and the funniest part is when the employee falls asleep on the bench in front of the clinic.When the vet falls asleep time is fast-forwarded and the animals look like they are doing a JIG in the enclosures.My daughter and I think this is just hilarious and laugh every time.This is an interactive game my daughter loves.Now if I could only get her away from it.Very addictive and fun for my 7 year old!

Excellent game!
Very good game!I would recommend it even if you have the original pet vet game.
Read more

Features

• CD-ROM
• Dogz and catz look to you for care, guidance, and training
• Sign an adoption pledge promising to be a good Petz owner
• Weather effects and day-and-night cycles provide a more realistic setting
• Playscenes and mini-games create a whole new interactive experience
• Variety of dog and cat breedz to choose from; updated graphics

Reviews (55)

Been a Petz fan since Petz2!
This game offers game play with no end, there is not only mini games where you can win prizes...but you also can play fetch and many other games with your petz.You can breed mixed dogs or purebred...and can even do selective breeding.
Haters Are Idiots
Hey, this is a great game. Just to tell the people who think this gaame is boring: Y'all must not be able to use a computer if you think there's nothing to do. Sure, this is a few-minutes-each-day game. But you can dress up your pets, you can breed them, (though I'm not sure about the crashing problem, I only had that with the fourth game installment) and you can use programs to make new breeds. For people who can't get any items, that's done with theminigames. And though you get bored after a half-hour to an hour, you go back to it the next day.

Great!!!!!
This Game is Great!!!!!!!
Read more

Features

• CD-ROM
• Explore fantasy worlds and engage your brain
• Three fantasy worlds: Undersea, Outer Space, and Dragon's Lair
• Nine different adventures with 54 I SPY riddles
• Designed for kids age 6-10
• For one player

Reviews (36)

Buy this one Now
We have been fans of the I Spy Books & Software for some time, but this is our new favourite.The graphics are great & the levels within each "story" keep my 6 year old twin boys busy when Mummy needs a break.The I Spy Team should keep up the good work - this is a computer game that won't turn kids brains to mush!

i spy fantasy
i bought this cd rom for my son who thinks this game is fantastic, very easy for young children to use.

Neat!
My six year old daughter was reluctant to try this, but she did and she LOVES it! Great graphics, fun, challanging. Not sure how "educational" it is, but it is a neat, non-violent, gets-you-thinking game! ... Read more

Features

• CD-ROM
• Help Barbie get ready for fashion week in Paris
• Complete 10 exciting fashion assignments
• Advance through 3 different design studios
• Choose the styles, fabrics, and colors
• Select the stage, music, and special poses

Reviews (56)

This is the Defination of something great!
This game is the coolest it gave me no trouble at all. Buy this you won't be disapointed and its only a click away.

Very fun game
This is a very fun game especially for little girls that LOVE to dress-up.My daughter was so excited to get this game and wasn't a bit disappointed.She will probably spend hours playing this game.

Fun game for girls
This is one of my 8-year old daughters favorite game.I love sitting down and creating fashions for the models and watching the fashion show.I love how you have different options for the stage & music.This has brought hours of fun in our home! ... Read more

Editorial Review

"Not too long ago, Zoombinis enjoyed the good life. Though they alllooked slightly different--different eyes, noses, hair, feet--such differencesmeant nothing to the Zoombinis. And so they lived happily on Zoombini Isle,making small, useful products, which were prized the world over." So begins anunsuspectingly addictive CD-ROM, featuring uncommonly fun reasoning games thatrequire serious problem solving and math-thinking work. Yet the perils that facethis cheerful society are not as fearsome as the amount of time you'llpotentially spend on this pursuit. Beware the chubby, chattering Zoombinis ifyou don't want to get hooked to your computer for at least 90 minutes asession!Read more

Features

• CD-ROM
• Windows: Pentium 200 MHz+ Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP 40 MB free hard disk space 32 MB RAM 8x CD-ROM dr
• Macintosh: Power PC 180 MHz+ Mac OS 8.6 through OS X 40 MB free hard disk space 32 MB RAM 8x CD-ROM
• Encore/RiverDeep

Reviews (95)

Why I like Zoombinis
Hi, my name is Manuel, I am 6 years old and I like Zoombinis a lot because of all the adventures they go through to pass activities and discover new lands. I also like them because the stories are very exciting.
So much fun!
This is one of the very few computer games where there are no glitches. The graphics, sound, and over all logic of this game are wonderous. Though some people may say it is for younger kids- they are wrong, my olmost fourteen year old cousin loves it- and even adults like it! It's not the same puzzle over and over agin either- clear directions and changing goals and directions give this game a little lift. There is so much more I could talk about with this game- but I don't want to bore you- overall this game is great!

I love'd this game!
I was probably 14 when I played Zoombinis. My aunt had it for my cousins and well for her too, and thought that I would really like it. Not only do you learn and have fun it's so addicting. The best part about it is that you don't even realize you are learning. I am now 24 and recently purchased the game for myself. Not because I need a refresher course but because I enjoyed it so much. I think that this is a great game for the classroom. I've encouraged many of my friends that educate to install into their classrooms. ... Read more

Features

• CD-ROM
• Over 10 mini-games
• Interact with your favorite characters from the film
• Authentic voice talent from the movie
• Help Mater hook up the junk cars & tow 'em all away
• Steer your way through Sarge's crazy obstacle course

Reviews (11)

Do not buy it
It appeared to be a surprise that Disney can't produce a reliable product.
great fun
My 5 year old son loves it. It has a good mixture of fun and intelligent activity- some are tough but challenging. I enjoy it as well.

Cars ages 4 + maybe 5+
My Grandson gets frustrated with some of the games because they are too hard for him also for an adult.
Read more

Features

• Find secrets in the train’s caboose, dining car, master suite
• Meet Frank and Joe Hardy as animated characters
• Play pachinko, sort heirloom dolls, and be a short order cook
• Explore a crypt, mining museum, and Jake’s mine
• New camera cell phone for taking pictures and calling for hints

Reviews (62)

Interesting, and fun
Alright. Herinteractive, I admit, did a great job. A few parts I didn't like though... I felt that the Hardy Boys were supposed to be better than Nancy Drew, and considering that she is the main character, that was slightly depressing. I thought the new cellphone was awesome, except for the fact that I never used the camera on it. Maybe some others found some use for it. The puzzles were deliciously hard, and it had the right amount of challenge in it. The characters were OK. The graphics were lovely, and I was glad that we didn't have to stay in a rickety old train all the game. I'm looking forward to playing the latest nancy drew game!!

Fast moving!
This game was great! It's easy to get stuck at the beginning, but after you get off the train, it goes by really fast.
A Train Bound For Adventure...
Nancy Drew: Last Train To Blue Moon Canyon (13)
Read more

Features

• CD-ROM
• Build your own empire of high-class restaurants in this action-oriented game
• Seat customers quickly, keep them fed, and watch the tips and profits roll in
• Grow your restaurant through 4 complete renovations; 50 challenging levels
• 5 different types of customers, each behaving uniquely
• Fast-paced puzzles; 2 modes of play--Career and Endless Shift

Reviews (11)

Make A DASH for "Dinner Dash"
I rarely buy PC games, but this one is clever and fun. I thoroughly enjoyed playing the demo several times so I decided to purchase it. Yes, this is a game that you can play for hours and hours. Every so many years they come up with a game that captures the imagination. I remember being blown away by "Roller Coaster Tycoon." But games like "Dinner Dash," "Cake Mania," and "Luxor" are bringing the fun back. I like the fact that a lot of these games have different skill levels or goals that you have to reach. It's challenging. I'm an adult and I'm finding myself addicted to PC games again. It's hard to beat arcade classics like "Pac-Man" and "Centipede," but the current crop of PC games seems to be headed in the right direction.

Hours of entertaining play
The older I get, the more I appreciate what are called "casual games" - simple objectives, like Tetris are more my speed. I grew up playing Asteroids, Centipede, Root Beer Tapper & Frogger... in many ways, this game is a combination of all of those. The main character of the game tells her boss to shove it (in a nice way, of course) and starts her own restaurant. She has a variety of customers... college kids, senior citizens, businessmen & women - and all have different levels of patience, tipping and fuses.
Great PC Gaming
This is a great game. It's ery addictive, and doesn't get boring. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The 26 letters of the alphabet equal 26 opportunities to explore,listen, and learn in Read more

Features

• CD-ROM
• PC: Microsoft Windows 95/98 or higher, 24 MB RAM, 640x480 16-bit Color Video, 16-Bit Sound Card 486 DX-66 MHz or faster processor,
• 40 MB free disk space, 4x CD-ROM drive
• MAC: Mac OS System 7.5.5 or higher, 24 MB RAM, 640x480, 16-bit Color Video, 16-Bit Sound Card, 40 MB free disk space, 2x CD-ROM drive
• School Zone Interact
• Mac and PC

Reviews (10)

Alphabet Express PreSchool
Alphabet Express is a wonderful learning tool for preschool children. My grandsons, ages 3.5 and 5, love it and are capable of using it without any help. They especially love the coloring.

did not work at all
Will not start up at all on any of my 5 home computers or any of the 34 lab computers that I run. Not the first time I have had problems with this manufacturer.

Still a little tough but fun
I bought this for my 3.5 year old and he still has trouble recognizing his letters (hence, the purchase).He enjoys the mazes and with help really likes the game, but he does need quite a bit of help to be able to play.We have not explored all the aspects of it yet (there is quite a bit to do), so I think that it is well worth the money.I have to push him to play this however - it is not his favorite.... ... Read more

Editorial Review

This fantastic program will have your brain working as hard as a mandrill on a conveyer belt with bananas dangling in front of it. Don't worry, we'll explain. Read more

Features

• CD-ROM

Reviews (13)

Even More! Contraptions Galore!
I played this game in Video Production every so often, and while making contraptions, I literally NEVER wanted the end-of-the-period bell to ring for at least another hour. This game has no limits to what you can create. Imagination is the tool of success!

Crazy Machines Style game
I love this kind of smart software for kids. I would give it more stars but it is dated.

The Incredible Machine Strikes Again!
We had to play this game in school in our tech ed. class. Every day, I found myself wanting badly to go to 3rd Hour(My tech ed. class.) I would recomend this game to everyone. ... Read more

Features

• CD-ROM
• An unknown assailant has vandalized the whale-watching boat owned by Nancy's host, Katie Firestone. Nancy will explore Snake Horse Harbor to uncover the truth to this new mystery!
• Use Nancy's new cellular phone & GPS system to collect clues and chart a course at sea
• Uncover clues and interact with townsfolk, as you study the strange threat in the rolling fog
• Click on the Second Chance option to avoid making mistakes
• Go kayaking in crystal clear waters and shadowy sea caves, and figure out if this crime is related to the orca whale that's been spotted in the harbor

Reviews (680)

Fabulous! Stupendous! Awesome!
OMG! This game is like, the best! The graphics were great, and the personalities of the people were great too! Almost everyone seemed like a suspect, and more than one person was the culprit. Being herinteractive's second game, this is great!
Nancy Drew and the Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake
I thought that this game was totally awesome! I really enjoyed it! I played it in 4 days, and it usually takes me much longer! It wasn't too hard, but hard enough. It's not as scary as some of the Nancy Drew games. There are four charactors: Sally McDonald (the lady who asked you to come there), Red Knott (a birdwatcher), Emily Griffen (a lady who owns a store), and Jeff Akers (the closest thing to a police officer that the town has). You never meet Sally, but you meet the other three. Oh, yes. I forgot you meet the ghost dogs...

BAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really didn't like this game at ALL! The mystery about somone dead was good and all, and I know it's Herinteractive's first game, but come on! Cartoon characters?! Plus, it was easy and short, and not hard at all. If I were you, I would NOT buy this at all, NAH-AH! I hope this review helped! =) ... Read more

Features

• CD-ROM
• A new chess adventure with Fritz, Bianca, and Chesster
• Covers openings, middle game tactics, endgames, pinning, and more
• Over 20 mini games within the game for practice
• Powered by "Fritz", the world's leading chess software
• For kids ages 8 and up

Reviews (15)

Excellent product for kids
This is an excellent product for kids. My kid loves to learn with this software. I had issues installing this product. Other than installation issues, it has been excellent. We are having fun now!
Powerful training games
Although this game maybe aimed for kids, it can still offer powerful training games in an entertaining way. Each assorted machines is like an arcade that trains each tactical aspects individually. Such as blind Chess, eye-training, memory training of chess positions are most notable that separates it from the other beginner chess training programs.
Happy Mom
My children absolutely love this version. They wake at 5 a.m. to play before school. My son says "it's great--I've learned lots of tips, and now I'm a much better chess player."
Read more