System Requirements

Product Support

This 2 CD set invites kids to explore the magical Playland of Adiboo, an impish young character of undisclosed origin. His world is brimming with interesting places to explore and things to do. Users can choose to hang out at Adiboo's activity-filled Playhouse, where they meet his companions and tend his environs, or they can journey to the 'Land of Science' to visit numerous venues, each filled with games of learning and discovery.

Educational Value

As they explore Adiboo's world, kids learn about the solar system, animals, sea life, fruits and vegetables, seasons and climates, body parts, machines, time, cultures, historical periods, and more. They learn more about the world around them, discover nature at the farm, see the world from a space station, participate in experiments at a laboratory, and travel through time at a museum.

Adiboo offers 3 levels of play allowing it to challenge kids of various abilities and grow with the child.

Kid Appeal

Although this program offers excellent graphics and animation, our reviewers were not impressed by Adiboo himself, and some even commented that he is "a little scary". The program itself has plenty to offer the inquisitive child, who will experience endless hours of productive entertainment. The games are varied, and include everything from a brickles knock-off, to a Mr. Potato Head-like activity, a hefty art program, puzzles, quizzes and even a 3D driving experience.

Our testers were dismayed by the inconsistent age appropriateness of the various activities. While some portions of the program are clearly aimed at early learners, others incorporate sophisticated skills and vocabulary that will clearly require a higher level student. Even at the simplest level, young users will be frustrated with some activities, and the converse is equally true.

Ease of Use / Install

To install Adiboo, users first run the installation program on Disc 1. This installs the basics on the user's machine. To access the 'Land of Science', user's must pause and insert CD 2. At this point the second disc will be initialized, and necessary drivers detected. Because this second installation step may be confusing for young users, we recommend that a caretaker help kids access both discs as part of their initial installation process.

Because this program progresses in a slow, methodical manner, with constant reinforcement in the form of praise and song, it is useful to note that at any time a sequence can be skipped by right clicking on the mouse (Windows). This allows impatient users to move more quickly through the program and skip sequences when so desired.

Although this program does not come with a printed User Manual, an Online User Manual is available on Disc 2. Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 is required to view the manual, and can be installed from Disc 2.

Best for... / Bottom-Line

This multi-subject program offers a variety of early learning activities in one interactive package. Despite its abundant content, however, the program is only mediocre, and lacks sparkle and wit.

See SuperKids' comparisons with other science software titles, and the Buyers Guide for current market prices of the PC and Mac versions.

PC: Windows 98/95, Pentium 133 or faster cpu, 32 MB RAM, 16 bit-high-color monitor, 4 MB graphics card minimum for 3D driving game, 3D graphics accelerator card recommended for optimum performance, 12x or faster CD-ROM, 16-bit Windows-compatible sound card.

Mac: System 7.6.1 or higher, PowerPC (120MHz or higher), 32 MB RAM, 16-bit high color monitor, 12x or faster CD-ROM.

Reviewed on:

Pentium 450 with 128MB and 24xCD

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