Tonka Dig'n Rigs CD-ROM Playset

Reviewed by Carol Welch
Published by Hasbro Interactive

Age Group: Beginners, Age 2 to 5, Age 4 to 8
Type: Art/Creativity, More Fun
Price: $40

Requires: Windows 95/98, P 133, 8x CD-ROM, 32MB RAM, 60MB HD, Windows 95/98 sound, 2MB Windows 95/98 SVGA video, DirectX version 6.0

Description:

Tonka Dig'n Rigs CD-ROM Playset includes a hands-on playset that straps to the keyboard to allow small hands to control six virtual construction vehicles. Kids can actually turn the steering wheel, pull levers, and toot the horn as the onscreen big rig responds to the child's commands. There are lots of jobs to do, too! Whether it's bulldozing trash, digging for dinosaur bones, or tearing down condemned buildings, kids will be very busy in Tonka Town! And Tonka Joe is always nearby to help!

Features:

  • Hands-on playset that straps to keyboard
  • Easy to operate playset controls
  • Six virtual construction vehicles
  • Helpful instructions from Tonka Joe
  • Easy interface for young users
  • 9 fun areas for work and play
  • 16 jobs and 4 games
  • Printable certificates, license plates and more

Technical Aspects:

This title loaded and ran with no problems on our Celeron 533. For curiosity's sake, I loaded the title on my son's 486(below minimum requirements) with 32MB RAM - the title ran well, but was too slow to really enjoy play. Still, it ran well enough to make me think it would do fine on a Pentium 133 (minimum requirement).

The cartoon-style graphics are fun and colorful. The audio is crisp and Tonka Joe is easy to understand. However, Mom and Dad found the combination of music and construction noise a bit nerve-racking, so watch the volume level ;-)

The playset strapped on easily by following onscreen instructions at the beginning of the first game play. Be forewarned, however, that the playset does not work with ergonomic, split keyboards. I had to dig out my original, standard keyboard and plug it in for playset use. The playset did work very well. We encountered no problems with it.

Report and Conclusions:

Last year, I reviewed the Matchbox Caterpillar Construction Zone: CD-ROM & CAT(r) Controller and found it enjoyable for my older son, but too difficult my youngest. This title proved to be just the opposite. My 10-year-old found the game to be too easy and not realistic enough. Whereas, my 6-year-old had a great time!

Aimed at children ages 3 and up, Tonka Dig'n Rigs CD-ROM Playset is especially suited for younger children. The simple operation of the playset controls makes it ideal for small, inexperienced hands. This title would be a great beginner's introduction to computers, teaching kids that their hand movements cause things to happen onscreen. The vehicles are simple to maneuver and the jobs are easy to complete - a fact that may bore older children, but will delight younger ones with their success!





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