Putt-Putt: Pep's Birthday Surprise (Windows)

Putt-Putt is a talking car who has been a children's software star for the last decade. PUTT-PUTT: PEP'S BIRTHDAY SURPRISE casts him in the role of the surprise birthday party planner for his pet dog Pep. To put on a surprise party for Pep, Putt-Putt needs to collect five items -- but that is no easy task in the world of Cartown.

As kids direct Putt-Putt's movements, he helps solve problems for other citizens of Cartown -- many of whom are talking vehicles. For example, to obtain a birthday banner, Putt-Putt needs to help Ms. Widget, a bumper car whose store key has been stolen by a crow. To coax the crow to release the key, Putt-Putt zooms around more than 20 locations until he finds something shiny.

Some of the logic games are too challenging for 3- to 4-year-olds, so parents will need to help. At times, characters can be a little chatty, but pushing the spacebar allows you to bypass previously heard conversations.

Kids enjoy playing this because they feel like they are inside a cartoon. They move the story forward only by using important problem-solving and memory skills. Putt-Putt is so polite and thoughtful that he makes a great role model for kids.