Operation

Reviewed by Cynthia A. Sorrels
Published by Hasbro Interactive

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Age Group: Age 4 to 8, Age 8 and Up
Type: Board and Card Games, More Fun
Price: $25

Description:

Some of us remember the original Operation, a board game that is still available on store shelves. Using tweezers, your goal is to remove the offending body pieces from the poor patient without touching the sides. This is more difficult than it initially sounds, and as soon as someone touches the wrong area, a loud buzzer sounds.

The latest version of Operation, on CD-ROM, offers that same game - virtually, this time. Also, there are 5 different settings and a total of 25 patients to be dealt with. You'll be using your mouse to maneuver around all sorts of bugs as you cure your patients.

If you become bored with that, each of the 5 locations offers a second choice! You can go on a Microscopic Mission, play Gasteroids (our favorite) or beat other bugs to the punch.

Along the way, you can print out awards and patient pictures as you progress through the levels of 'medical training.'

Features:

  • 5 locations with various patients.
  • Individual Microscopic games that are fun!
  • 25 kooky patients
  • Games become progressively more difficult.
  • Internet/LAN play is supported.

Report and Conclusions:

My kids had a great deal of fun with this program. The 4 year old (son) loves Gasteroids, where the object is to shoot the bubbles before too much gas accumulates and the patient belches. His idea of playing the game is to watch the gas build up and laugh hysterically when the belch happens.

However, this title offers the chance to work on mouse skills. It's harder to get those pieces out of people (and creatures!) than anybody would believe. I think my trackball was a big help with that - my son used a mouse but he did pretty well after some practice.

All in all, Operation translates to the virtual world very nicely! Besides, those itsy-bitsy body parts are the first thing to get lost, and this media eliminates that problem.