LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Disney Phineas and Ferb

Review

Common Sense Media says

Battle the evil Dr. Doof with math, science, and technology.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Learning4
Best: Really engaging, great learning approach.
Very Good: Engaging, very good learning approach.
Good: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
Fair: Somewhat engaging, okay learning approach.
Not for Learning : Not recommended for learning.
Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.

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Parents say

AGE
18
QUALITY
 

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Disney Phineas and Ferb is an action game that helps kids explore science and technology concepts. The game involves Phineas, Ferb, Perry/Agent P, and Dr. Doofenshmirtz. Other popular characters from the TV show do not appear; and there are no female characters in the game. There is some mild violence against robots involving the shooting of water balloons and rotten food. Each of the six levels contains a handful of games/tasks that utilize science and math concepts and puzzle-solving skills. Kids earn power-ups by completing math problems. The game has two difficulty levels.

  • Positive messages2
    The game largely focuses on a battle between good and evil. While the boys are simply building machines for the love of the challenge, Agent P and Dr. Doofenshmirtz are fighting it out. There isn't a strong positive message, but it's certainly not a negative one.
  • Positive role models2
    Phineas and Ferb spend the game engaged in science and technology play. Dr. Doofenshmirtz is supposed to be "evil" and is out to attack the world with his inventions. Agent P fights off Dr. Doof and stops his evil plans.
  • Ease of play4
    The game uses the D-pad to navigate, and the touch screen to fire the water balloons. Because it is action-oriented, kids will need to have stronger fine-motor skills than in some other LeapFrog games, but with some effort, kids in the targeted age-range should be able to complete all of the tasks.
  • Violence & scariness1
    This is an action game that focuses largely on the destruction of robots through the use of a water balloon-shooting machine. Dr. Doofenshmirtz attacks Agent P with a rotten food machine. The robots are destroyed, but no one is injured otherwise.
  • Language0
    Not applicable.
  • Consumerism2
    The game is based on the highly popular Phineas and Ferb franchise from Disney. There is a wide range of products available in this franchise. None of the products are promoted in the game.
  • Privacy & safety0
    Not applicable.
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What kids can learn

4

Kids can learn about simple circuits, including logic and what makes a good conductor/insulator. They can learn about how the parts of a machine come together to make it work, and about basic physics. Kids work on their spatial reasoning and matching skills as they apply shapes to a diagram of an object. They reinforce arithmetic skills such as addition, subtraction, and multiplication as they try to earn power ups. Disney Phineas and Ferb integrates science and engineering skills in fun and engaging ways.

Subjects
  • Language & Reading
  • Math
    addition, multiplication, subtraction
  • Science
    engineering, electricity, momentum
  • Social Studies
  • Arts
  • Hobbies
Skills
  • Emotional Development
  • Communication
  • Collaboration
  • Responsibility & Ethics
  • Tech Skills
  • Health & Fitness
See more details

What's it about?

Playing LEAPFROG EXPLORER LEARNING GAME: DISNEY PHINEAS AND FERB is almost like watching an episode of the show of the same name, minus a few key characters. In it, the boys decide to build a water balloon launcher that they can drive around. At the same time, Dr. Doofenshmirtz has created a similar machine that shoots rotten food. Throughout the game, the boys are upgrading their machine and testing it out on some rogue robots. When they aren't looking, Agent P, aka Perry the Platypus, borrows the machine to battle Dr. Doofenshmirtz and his food-slinging robots.

The game has six levels to complete with increasing difficulty, each containing educational mini-games. In the mini-games, kids build the blueprint for the machine using Tangram-style pieces, collect parts for the machine while fighting off robots, complete simple electrical circuits in order to open doors to collect the parts, test the new machine while fighting off robots, and complete "contraptions"  that allow Agent P to get where he needs to go. While fighting off robots, kids can earn power-ups by completing math problems. The game has two difficulty levels. On more advanced levels, the puzzles are trickier. As an example, on the easy level, the tangram puzzles show the outline of the pieces. On the harder level, there are no outlines.

Is it any good?

 

Disney Phineas and Ferb is bound to be a hit for fans of the show because they get to experiment and create, just like Phineas and Ferb do on TV. It includes puzzle and arcade-style games, so there is some variety. What little there is to the story feels repetitive, though, as the same thing happens on each level. The game is short enough that older kids may be able to complete it in as little as an hour. Kids who enjoy the shoot 'em action of the arcade games will find them replayable, and they can bump up to the harder level if they have completed the easy one. If you have a child, particularly a boy (as all of the characters are male), who is interested in engineering, this is a good choice. There aren't many games for young kids that explore circuits and logic in this way. 

Explore, discuss, enjoy

  • Families can talk about the importance of science and technology. What are some things around your house that require science and technology to design and build? What are some jobs you might have that use science and technology?

  • Families can also talk about using your imagination to create something new.

  • Is there always a good guy and a bad guy? How can you tell if someone is "good" or "bad?"

This review of LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Disney Phineas and Ferb was written by

What kids can learn

4

Kids can learn about simple circuits, including logic and what makes a good conductor/insulator. They can learn about how the parts of a machine come together to make it work, and about basic physics. Kids work on their spatial reasoning and matching skills as they apply shapes to a diagram of an object. They reinforce arithmetic skills such as addition, subtraction, and multiplication as they try to earn power ups. Disney Phineas and Ferb integrates science and engineering skills in fun and engaging ways.

Subjects
  • Language & Reading:
  • Math: addition, multiplication, subtraction
  • Science: engineering, electricity, momentum
  • Social Studies:
  • Arts:
  • Hobbies:
Skills
  • Thinking & Reasoning: hypothesis-testing, logic, solving puzzles
  • Creativity:
  • Self-Direction:
  • Emotional Development:
  • Communication:
  • Collaboration:
  • Responsibility & Ethics:
  • Tech Skills:
  • Health & Fitness:

What's it about?

Playing LEAPFROG EXPLORER LEARNING GAME: DISNEY PHINEAS AND FERB is almost like watching an episode of the show of the same name, minus a few key characters. In it, the boys decide to build a water balloon launcher that they can drive around. At the same time, Dr. Doofenshmirtz has created a similar machine that shoots rotten food. Throughout the game, the boys are upgrading their machine and testing it out on some rogue robots. When they aren't looking, Agent P, aka Perry the Platypus, borrows the machine to battle Dr. Doofenshmirtz and his food-slinging robots.

The game has six levels to complete with increasing difficulty, each containing educational mini-games. In the mini-games, kids build the blueprint for the machine using Tangram-style pieces, collect parts for the machine while fighting off robots, complete simple electrical circuits in order to open doors to collect the parts, test the new machine while fighting off robots, and complete "contraptions"  that allow Agent P to get where he needs to go. While fighting off robots, kids can earn power-ups by completing math problems. The game has two difficulty levels. On more advanced levels, the puzzles are trickier. As an example, on the easy level, the tangram puzzles show the outline of the pieces. On the harder level, there are no outlines.

How kids will learn

Disney Phineas and Ferb includes both arcade action and puzzle-solving activities that kids will find challenging and appealing. It offers multiple difficulty levels and becomes more challenging as the game progresses when kids display mastery in an area. Built-in hints are available for the puzzle levels. The characters in the game lack in diversity, which may make it less relatable for some kids, especially girls. The game connects to the online LeapFrog Learning Path, allowing parents to track their kids' progress and skills.

How parents can help

  • Build your own marble runs at home using recycled materials, blocks, and whatever you have on hand.
  • Design a simple circuit using a battery and LED.
  • Purchase or make a set of tangrams and practice solving tangram puzzles. You can find examples online.
This review of LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Disney Phineas and Ferb was written by
Parent
November 28, 2012
AGE
18
 
Learning0
shocking
a ridicolous game with horific violence
What other families should know:
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Helped me decide (4) | Had useful details (2) | Read my mind (9)
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Parent
May 1, 2013
AGE
17
 
Bad game
Excess violence!!!!!!!!!
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind (1)
Flag as inappropriate 
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This review of LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Disney Phineas and Ferb was written by
Topics:adventures, brothers and sisters, robots, science and nature
Platforms:LeapPad Explorer, Leapster Explorer
Available online?Not available online
Genre:Educational
Developer:LeapFrog
Release date:August 1, 2012
Price:$24.99
This review of LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Disney Phineas and Ferb was written by

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