Mission Masters

Copyright: KBkids.com

Mission Masters Defeat Dirty D! is specifically designed to drill basic math skills learned at the third grade level. The emphasis here is on basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. This program contains a few good mathematical thinking games, but the emphasis is on calculation.

Your child must help a gang of detectives solve another crime perpetrated by Dirty D and his gang. He or she will become Agent Dogbreath, Tinkerbell, or some other silly name. Five missions must be completed. Each of these missions is a different arcade-type math game. Three skill levels cover the gamut of an average third grade classroom. Each game can be played in mission mode or practice mode. The practice mode allows children to gain confidence in a new area and adjust the skill level as needed. Once in mission mode, the game continues until your child completes a given mission. A training desk is available, but here they will find more drill and practice rather than much real 'teaching.' A few definitions will help them learn how to play a given game, but don't expect much beyond more practice from the training desk.

Fowl Play- A shooting game found in many arcades. Each duck on the conveyor has a number, or equation. Your child must match either two equivalent equations, or an equation with it's resulting answer. A rather high stress game that seemed to go on for a very long time. This game is stressful because the numbers keep rolling off of the screen, and there are no 'breathers.' Your child will have to remain strictly on-task for quite some time. Drills all operations progressively.

Coaster Car Repair Shop- This game involves geometry. Your child must help redesign damaged coaster cars, by copying a geometrical pattern from a sign. A lower stress game than others, and good practice manipulating shapes.

Popcorn- Dirty D has eaten all of the popcorn in the park. Your child must fill each popcorn bucket while attempting to reach a target number with out going over. This is a great thinking skills activity, but can also be a bit high stress. As with Fowl Play, your child must remain on-task for a long time, and the number continue to fall without any breaks. Some children find these types of activities rather stressful.

Carnival Clues- Critical thinking and logical thinking are emphasized here along with basic math skills. Dirty D is hiding in the park somewhere, and has left a few clues behind. Your child must find where he is by thinking through simple mathematical problems.

Clown Squad- This game is reminiscent of The Logical Journey of the Zoombinis Allergic Cliffs. Certain clowns will ride in specific log ride cars, but your child does not know what the code is. Through trial and error, the pattern is soon revealed.

The games included here are fun, but nothing spectacular. Many kids will see this for what it is...more drill. The graphics are mediocre, and the program runs slowly on it's minimum requirements. A lot of time is spent "transporting" and "establishing communication links"...code words for loading the next screen. There is also much time wasted when switching levels, and returning to mission headquarters. If you are within a game and want to choose another game, you must 1)exit to the level adjustment area, 2) exit from there to the mission selection area. If you want to return to mission control, or exit the game, you must exit to one further area! Each of these steps involves slow screen loading. This program needs smoother transition from area to area.

The skills here are solid, although not comprehensive. There are not many quality drill programs on the market, which kids will enjoy. This one is meant for one very specific grade level, but covers that grade level very thoroughly. Consider this program in combination with one that develops mathematical thinking, or has more hands on math such as Logical Journey of the Zoombinis, or Mighty Math.

Bottom Line: An average quality math drill program, but a bit high stress at time. Not as good for a child who is struggling and might feel pressured.

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

Overall- 2 1/2

BrainGain- 2 1/2

FunFactor- 3

EasePlease- 2 1/2

While Amazon does not carry this program, you can purchase it from CDaccess at: http://www.cdaccess.com/html/quick/mathgr4dr.htm