Who Wants to be a Millionaire Second Edition
Disney Interactive	Ages 10 and up

Rating Scale 5 = great,    1 = poor

Educational Value 3.2

Kid Appeal 4.0

Ease of Use 5.0

System Requirements

PC / Mac Price Survey

Product Support

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Second Edition successfully duplicates the popular television game show complete with long pauses and brash commentary by Regis Philbin. Slick views of two empty seats, a check with your name written on it, the same recognizable television screen design players are probably familiar with, commandeer your computer screen. Content presented is totally consistent with the television show. The player is asked a question by Regis and then given four multiple choice answers. The player is given thirty seconds to select the correct answer. Three "lifelines" are available: the 50:50 (two incorrect choices are removed), the phone (someone's 'knowledgeable' friend is called and gives his best guess and the audience [the audience is asked to vote for the correct answer and the results are displayed). Same music, same applause, same motif. The only thing missing are those slick ties Regis wears!

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Second Edition has a single player or multiple player option. Multiple players compete in the 'Fastest Finger' race by correctly arranging a group of items first to see who goes to the Hot Seat (plays the game). This program runs much like the TV show.

Educational Value

The multiple choice format reinforces the player's body of knowledge and information. Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Second Edition may give players practice in the multiple choice format, but it's greatest value lies in its ability to engage a small group in an amusing way to share information. Many of the questions resulted in more in-depth discussions about the topic. This program stimulates curiosity and discourse. The subjects are varied and draw on a broad range of topics. Some hopelessly simple, others difficult, some silly, some serious.

Kid Appeal

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Second Edition has broad appeal to all ages. Obviously the more you know, the more fun it is. Children enjoy it but tire of the pregnant pauses and dialogue when by themselves. They enjoy the interactive quality of participating with a group. Part of the allure of this game show is how it invites you to react - to Regis, the questions, the participants, the dialogues. It is more engaging when done with an audience - or in this case with friends or in a group. Regis's dialogue gets a little tedious when you have no one with whom to share it.

This is wholesome family entertainment or a good group activity for kids. Although educational in a general way, teachers may not find it specific enough for classroom use on a routine basis. Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Second Edition could be used to constructively occupy a group of students who have some free time. It is too bad there isn't an option allowing you to increase or decrease the time allotted to answering the questions. Many questions stir a player's curiosity. Giving them more time to look it up might encourage even more learning and interaction. One 12 year old tester was most insulted by the 30 second limit. "They don't do that on the TV show!"

Ease of Use / Install

No problems were encountered installing this game on our Windows 98, Pentium II test machine. We did need to glance at how to activate the Fastest Finger race. The brief written directions are not complicated and very straightforward. Children can use without supervision. There is no offensive content.

Best for... / Bottom-Line

This game is recommended for everyone except the very young. Children younger than 10 probably don't have an expansive enough base of knowledge to really enjoy this program. Groups of teens on up and families with preteens will enjoy this the most. Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Second Edition may have limited classroom utility because of its broader, unfocused coverage.

See the SuperKids' Buyers Guide for current market prices of the PC and Mac versions

PC: Windows 95 or later, Pentium class 133 MHz or faster cpu, 200 MB hard drive space, 32 MB RAM (64 MB RAM recommended), DirectX-compatible video card with 640x480 screen size and 16-bit color display, Quad-speed or faster CD-ROM, 16-bit DirectX-compatible sound card Windows-compatible mouse and keyboard.

Reviewed on:

Pentium266 with 64MB and 12XCD

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