Rescue Heroes: Hurricane Havoc

Copyright: KBkids.com

Do your kids fancy themselves as policeman, paramedics, or rescue workers? If so, they will enjoy helping save the town of Metro Bay after a terrible Hurricane. It is all a simulation of course. This is a program best saved for preschoolers through early first grade. The replay value here is somewhat limited, and advanced first and second graders may tire of this one too quickly.

Your children must help in five rescue areas. All activities are timed, to 'see if you can beat your best time.'

Save the Pets: Shoot water from a fire truck at a high-rise building. Once the fire is out, go inside and save the animals. This is simply a click and drag routine, but watch out, the ferret is pretty slippery! The animals change each time you play, but the gameplay itself does not.

Roadblock Buster: Drive your motorcycle around town, cleaning up the streets. When you come upon some debris, shoot it with your 'clean up laser gun.'

Building Breakthrough: After jack hammering through each floor of the museum, use the grappling hook to pick up important artifacts from the museum.

Flood Runner: Ride a wave runner through rivers, and in the ocean, rescuing stranded citizens. Although there are obstacles to avoid, it doesn't seem to matter much if you hit them. The leader keeps hollering at you to slow down, but you really have little (if any!) control over the speed. May be too fast for very young preschoolers with low frustration levels.

Helicopter Heroics: Steer the copter around town, putting out fires as you go. Getting exactly over each fire can be rather tricky and frustrating at times.

Kids who like the rescue theme will enjoy this program. Others will probably play for a while, but move on to something else. It is a fun program, but with a limited audience. A definite purchase for your aspiring policeman, however.

Bottom Line: A good choice for aspiring rescue heroes, but with limited replay value.

Ratings: (based on KBkids.com's 4 star rating system)

Overall: 3

BrainGain: 2

FunFactor: 3

EasePlease: 3

Buy Fisher-Price Hurricane Havoc: Rescue Heroes at Amazon!