Dora the Explorer Super Star Adventures (Game Boy Advance)

DORA THE EXPLORER SUPER STAR ADVENTURES is a Nintendo Game Boy Advance (GBA) title designed for preschoolers ages 3 to 6 years. Unlike most GBA titles, which use written words to communicate, this one uses symbols, pictures, and a few spoken words -- no reading is required. Even better, gameplay is tailored so preschoolers can't fail at the title's activities.

To start, preschoolers select one of six Explorer Stars to join them during their adventures with Dora. Each Explorer Star has a special power such as the ability to be noisy, or the talent to create music -- but the player has to catch the star before it will help. To catch a star, kids play a simple but fun hide-and-seek activity. Activities include maze navigation, matching games, side-scrolling race games, a "Frogger"-type game, a complete-the-pattern activity, and a play-a-song game.

This GBA game is good for preschoolers, but it is not perfect. The complete-the-pattern game is confusing, and youngsters don't have any way to save an activity and continue playing it later.

This title is worth considering if you already own a GBA. If you are thinking of buying a handheld gaming system for your preschooler, choose the Leapster. Its content is better and more educational.