Get Ready for School with Disney's Mickey UK Version

Reviewed by Sara Hartman
Published by Disney

Age Group: Age 4 to 8
Type: Art/Creativity, Puzzles/Memory, Thinking Games
Price: Unavailable

PC version requires:
Windows 95/98, P 133 MHz or faster, 32MB RAM, 30MB HD, (4x) CD-ROM, 256 colour PCI video card, 16-bit sound

Mac version requires:
System 8.1 or 9.0, iMac or G3, 32MB RAM, 30MB HD, (4x) CD-ROM drive, 256-colour

Description:

Get Ready for School with Disney's Mickey is the UK release of Mickey Mouse Kindergarten by Disney Interactive. Ace reporter Mickey Mouse is roaming the city on the lookout for exciting stories for the newspaper, and young learners are invited along for the adventure.

Features:

  • Mickey and the gang
  • Active Learning Method
  • Automatic skill level adjustment
  • Printable activities that reinforce skills
  • Parent's area with control buttons, instructions and additional information

Technical Aspects:

Installation went well and gameplay was fine as well. The program also runs on my kids' 603e Power Macintosh, which is below the requirements listed. The user manual is a CD insert, which did not include information such as where to click on the navigation screen to access the various activities. Graphics and sound are outstanding, as would be expected from Disney.

Interestingly, the US version showed a smaller video image within a black frame on my 17" monitor, while the UK version filled the entire screen. However, it scrambled up the icons on my desktop, requiring me to manually move them back into place.

Get Ready for School with Disney's Mickey is heavily dependent on sound both for instruction and during play. In my opinion it would not offer a satisfactory experience for hearing impaired users.

Report and Conclusions:

This title is the UK release of Mickey Mouse Kindergarten. The only differences I noted, besides the title, were spelling and vocabulary changes to UK standard, such as changing "Bellhop Shuffle" to "Bellboy Shuffle." Plus the CD comes packaged in a really nice clamshell cover (like a DVD) rather than a jewel case. Overall, outstanding graphics remain this title's strong point, while navigation could use some improvement.




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