| Math Blaster: Master the Basics | 
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| From: Knowledge Adventure
Category: Software
List Price: $29.99
Buy New: $21.99
You Save: $8.00 (27%)
New (13) from $21.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  26 reviews
Sales Rank: 581
Format: Cd-rom
Platform: Windows Xp
ESRB: Everyone 10+
Media: CD-ROM
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 0.1 x 0.1 x 0
Legal Disclaimer: Warranty does not cover misuse of product.
MPN: 100722
Model: 20038
UPC: 876930005435
EAN: 0876930005435
ASIN: B000B6JAR2
Release Date: September 23, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW FACTORY SEALED BOXED VERSION * ALL STANDARD ORDERS SHIP USPS 1ST CLASS MAIL [2-5 DAYS] THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY WITH DELIVERY CONFIRMATION * WE SHIP INTERNATIONAL/APO/FPO * AMAZON PRO MERCHANT FOR 8 YEARS
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| Customer Reviews:
 Mathblaster February 18, 2006
3 out of 6 found this review helpful
A fun and excellent way to learn math. Great program for children with learning differences.
 Math blaster blows February 4, 2006
8 out of 13 found this review helpful
This game is awful. The instructions are non-existent, there is no way to solve questions quickly and directly, there is no way to register your answers immediately. My 8 year old, who has mastered Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 among other games, found this game frustrating and annoying. If you are looking for a game to help your kids improve their math skills, this is not it. Buy the flash cards and save your money for college.
Better than the rest January 30, 2006
11 out of 12 found this review helpful
We bought this game after trying several other (very boring) math computer games. My sixth grader has struggled with the most basic math facts. We have tried flash cards, other computer games, etc. She rolled her eyes at me when I told her that she had to play this for an hour when we first got it. Later I caught her playing it again--even though I hadn't told her that she had to. She played it quite a bit during the Christmas break, and she came home from her first day after Christmas break and was so excited that math was so much easier! (I don't think she even realized why) My three other grade school children have also played this game, and they like it a lot. They like that it is more like a video game.
It's a blast, blast, blast! November 18, 2005
29 out of 31 found this review helpful
The first kudos I have to give to this software is the ease of installation. It was perhaps the least complicated software programme that I have installed for years. It did not conflict with anything else on my machine, and did not require me to adjust settings or modify anything else. Your mileage may vary, of course, but I am operating on a fairly standard, low-tech machine, and ease of use is very important to me.
This is a fun programme! There are multiple levels, lots of action, lots of colour, good music and a good story line that weaves together the Math Blaster as she or he goes through the different levels. There are various obstacles and perils to overcome, as well as elementary math problems to solve to be able to advance to the next level. For example, at the first level, there is a combination to unlock the door to the next level - this combination can only be solved by solving a simple arithmetic equation. The Math Blaster must jump, run, and collect numbers to solve the equation before advancing.
The higher the level, the greater the difficulty with perils, and the greater the difficulty with math problems. Addition, subtration, equivalents, multiplication, division, simple problem-solving, speed and accuracy, and even some very basic algebra/missing-term concepts are introduced along with way. This is a very clever way to introduce times tables and other kinds of information that is often memorised by simple rote repetition. Playing the game over and over, children with learn both the content and the concepts while being entertained and challenged on multiple levels.
The graphics and game elements should appeal to both girls and boys. The art work reminded me of some of the kinds of animated television shows from Asia; there are comic-book elements of story that link together the different levels. The music is very well done, and appropriate to the science-fiction/mathematical theme; the vocal talents are also well matched to the theme.
This is a programme that is very well done, from both a technical and a teaching standpoint. Kids will want to play the game over and over (adults may want to, too!). The game is set up for multiple players to use the same computer, so they can advance to different levels together, or advance on their own as time and playing permit.
It's a blast!
 My kids enjoy it, and it's somewhat educational too. November 13, 2005
48 out of 52 found this review helpful
The focus on this game is definitely making math facts fun. My kids (aged 6 and 9) play it because they want to get to the next level, just as in any other arcade kind of game. They complain that they can't go back and play levels that they've already gotten to - they have to start at the beginning of the game and go to each "game" in turn, whether they want to or not.
I'm glad I got it, because it will help my 9 year old daughter practice those facts, but I don't think it's enough by itself. I haven't found any way to make sure she's limited to levels that aren't too easy for her. It does encourage her to improve her speed.
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