Mario Teaches Typing 2
I was not thrilled with the first version of Mario Teaches Typing and I really held out hope that I would like the updated version. Unfortunately some of the same problems I had with the first program exist in this new version. I have a son who is the Nintendo addict of the world! He sat watching me run through this program and even HE said, "I wouldn't want to use it to learn to type. I'll stick with Typing Instructor." Considering his life revolves around computers and Nintendo, I think that says a lot.
Mario Teaches Typing 2 will teach the fundamentals of typing to a young child or beginning typist as well as challenge an advanced typist. The colors are bright and the graphics are fairly good. The 3-D talking head of Mario has been toned down in this version so he is nowhere near as omnipresent and annoying. You can track your child's progress and print out award certificates as he progresses. Your child will see familiar faces like Luigi, Mario, the Princess and Bowser. Bowser has stolen a piece of the magical keyboard and it is up to you to find it. Kids who like Mario will naturally be drawn to the music and the characters.
The music is very stressful. It is not the type of music you want to listen to when you are already doing something stressful. Yes, this is the music that is played during stressful Nintendo games, but even my son agreed it would drive him nuts. Somehow I think he sees the difference between playing a game and actually trying to learn a new skill. The music is distracting. The arcade action is repetitive. As you type along there are scenes of your character swimming across sand pits, climbing obstacles and maneuvering through tubes. You really are not interacting with these characters as you type, nor do you have the time to look at them. The visual distraction could be particularly difficult for a child who is already "distractable."
If you have a child who simply refuses to use one of the more academically oriented programs and loves Nintendo, this will be a viable option. It is not a program that I can in good conscience recommend as a great way to learn typing skills.
Grading:
Educational value- 21/2
Entertainment value- 3
Use of medium- 21/2
Age- 6+
While not available at Amazon, you can find this program at Cdaccess: