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VAMANOS! Super Great game for younger kids

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 45 / 47
Date: October 29, 2005
Author: Amazon User

*We have purchased other games that have been too advanced & frustrating. This one is not!!!
*Good for ages 4-6 depending on maturity of child.
*Easy to understand, the paths are easy to follow, the tasks make the child feel confident in their ability to complete them, and the concept is similar to the show so there already is an understanding of what is expected.
*The graphics are pretty good, but simple, appear a little "flat."
*Some scenes change angles and there is a super tiny, 2 sec loading period. Not a problem, but worth mentioning because I know it bugs some people.
*Basically, Dora has a destination, and with Boots' help, she must collect things, complete tasks, and of course, Watch Out for Swiper the Fox!
*VAMANOS! GO GET THIS GAME! =0)

Good first video game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 10 / 10
Date: January 02, 2006
Author: Amazon User

We bought this for our 3yo for his first video game. It is a really good starter game (learning how to use the controls, basics of game play...). The story line and pace are good for this age. I imagine a more experienced video game player would get through it fairly quickly but this game isn't really for them. This is an early childhood rated game.

The activities that the child needs to do are pretty age appropriate. Some are a little easy, even for a 3 year old, but most are just right or a bit harder.

A good game for a new gamer. Our son really enjoys watching us play it as he still hasn't mastered video game play.

Good entry level game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 8 / 9
Date: December 31, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Maybe she's behind the curve, but my four year old daughter had never played a video game before, except for some learning games on her computer. This game was her introduction to a Gamecube, and she loves it.

It might be a little easy for experienced game players, but if you're looking for a fun game to start your child off with, this is an excellent choice. She really loves playing this game.

Too much fun?

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: February 05, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This game is perfect for a young child wanting to gain confidence and skill. My son is 3 and he can make his way through the various scenes without assistance. It automatically saves the progress made and the content is age appropriate. There is no violence and the game does incorporate some learning activities. Very little--but still learning. Be sure you want to start your child on video games this early. My son wants to play everyday for hours. We are constantly monitoring his screen time and battling to keep the game off!

Excellent for Beginners

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: March 14, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This game is great for the first time players. Basically the joystick and the "A" button is all that is used. Dora cannot lose any lives & cannot walk "off cliffs, off bridges, etc..." It teaches the kids the basics of how to use the game controller. In addition, the game incorporates learning, such as counting, patterns, shapes, etc... The only downside is that the game is a little long with the number of planets Dora must visit. Overall it's highly recommended.

Great game!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: September 30, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This game is simple yet fun for the very young and beyond. There are next to no games for early childhood. My son was enjoying and learning with this game at three years old. He still likes to play it. I wish they made more games like this.

Great for young kids.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: November 06, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I bought this game because it was the only game rated EC for our gamecube, the kids like Dora, I bought it mostly for my dausghter who is 3 but she just walks around and cant do anything else, but my son who is 4 loves it, he passed the game within one day and everyday day sense could pass it within a hour. He was so good at it. Very fun.

Age Appropriate

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: November 20, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I got this game for my son (4 years old). He loves Dora and he loves playing video games. All I had to do was turn this on for him and he did everything else!

This game is very age appropriate. As Dora is walking around the different planets, there are choices for the child to make. Either walk along the paths or find crystals and other hidden goodies. This makes it interesting for the kid who's playing instead of just a boring walk here and there. But it's not too complex that you can get lost.

The game guides you where to go so the player always feels successful and accomplished. It requires some thinking and problems solving skills where you pick up items and have to figure out where to use them.

My son made it from Earth to the Purple Planet in several sessions which kept him entertained for a while. The saving feature is very nice so the kids can play for 15 to 20 minutes at a time without having to go back.

There should be more games like this for preschool age children! Anyone who loves Dora or playing video games will love this one. A must have for the holidays!

Good for little kids

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: April 10, 2007
Author: Amazon User

My husband bought this for my 3 year old. He thought it would be good for him to be able to play the GameCube too. He likes it, but can't always get where he wants to go, though I must admit, he caught on pretty quick. He likes to have help sometimes b/c he gets frustrated. For those who like Dora, they will like this game. MY 3 year old prefers his Pooh Bear game b/c it's geared a little more towards pre-schooler's. He does play this game too. Maybe he'll do a little better when he's four.

The Best Console Game for Young Children (3-5)

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: April 29, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I have tried a number of educational and not-so-educational games targeted at children and none compares to this one in simplicity. And I mean that in the best way possible.

For this age group (3-6), Simplicity Is Essential For Fun!

There are only two controls to master: 1) Movement via the Thumb Stick -or- Direction pad and 2) Action via any button.

ALL buttons function as the Action button. Unless your child hits start, then all other buttons will activate the Action. In most cases, this is simply Jumping, but the game includes a lot of other entertaining actions such as Stopping Swiper, sending Boots to go digging for Treasure, Catapulting over obstacles, etc. Whichever button your child prefers or can most easily reach with their small hands will work.

Journey to the Purple Planet plays just like a typical Dora episode - several episodes in fact because you advance to new adventures. You play as Dora & Boots, but all the familiar characters make appearances (eg, Backpack, Map, Isa, Swiper, etc.). If your child enjoys the show, then they will enjoy this game.

It provides some opportunity to explore, but is somewhat On Rails. That can be irritating in mature games, but for young ones it keeps them from getting lost or off track. Dora & Boots can roam around, but there are boundaries and there are also clearly marked paths to lead them toward their next goals.

Objectives are simple - find items, collect large glowing gems, etc. Children do not have to be absolutely perfect - being close to an objective is usually good enough. And Dora never loses - eg, she doesn't get stuck in the sand, simply blocked by it. The worst that happens is she might wander around a bit as your child figures out where the next collectible/objective is located.

Dora also gives Advice when your little player gets stuck or backtracks too far in the wrong direction. Every step of the way, there are spoken hints for how to deal with new functions. Nothing is written (other than the start & continue screens), so your child does not have to know how to read. When they need to continue, the game prompts them with a graphic to press the button.

The game Automatically Saves, so there is little concern that your child will accidentally undo their progress unless they somehow back all the way out to the main menu and go through several steps to delete their saved game.

Unlike the new Wii control scheme, older controllers are not necessarily intuitive nor easy to use for beginners. But this game makes it about as easy as it can get.

The graphics are nicely cell-shaded with a number of nice touches like fluttering butterflies and the like to make the backdrop seem lively.

There are other good console games for young ones, but this is the single best Early Childhood (3-5) title available for the console, especially if your child already has a fondness for Dora.

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