Discovery Kids: Spider Quest
By Carolyn Koh,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Kids collect and play with creepy crawlers in pet sim game.
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Discovery Kids: Spider Quest
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What’s It About?
In DISCOVERY KIDS: SPIDER QUEST, kids are asked to help a famous scientist named Mina set up her new museum by capturing spiders, snakes, and scorpions. Mina also asks kids to create vivariums and care for the spiders by setting the ideal temperatures and humidty for each species. Kids will feed their spiders and help create anti-venom for medical purposes. To accomplish these goals, players travel to different spots in the world to collect five different spider types, including the red kneed tarantula and the black widow, as well as two species of scorpions. These creature habitats are as dangerous as their inhabitants and kids will be dodging obstacles, running away from dangerous animals, as well as capturing venomous creatures.
Is It Any Good?
Younger kids just learning to read will need a little help with this game as there are no voice overs and all instructions are presented in text. Also words such as "Hygrometry" and "Vivarium" may need to be explained. The creepy critters in the game are not simply creepy-crawlies, they are also venomous and kids are taught how to "handle" them with the stylus. The game makes use of both the stylus and the microphone and offers a nice variety in the mini-games so that kids will be entertained. The spiders will attack other creatures that stand in the way of their food and kids choose attacks and play a mini-game in targeting their opponents. As a semi-pet simulation, the game is simple and a refreshing departure from the cat and dog pet simulation games that dominate the market. Kids fascinated by creepy crawlies now have a safe virtual way to keep them in their pocket.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the dangers of venomous creatures and identifying which spiders are dangerous and which are not. What can happen if you are bitten by a poisonous spider?
Families can also talk about setting time limits and needing to rest. Why is staring at something for long periods of time harmful to your eyes? Why does your hand cramp up when holding a game console for long periods of time?
Game Details
- Platforms: Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi
- Available online?: Not available online
- Publisher: 505 Games
- Release date: November 18, 2009
- Genre: Simulation
- ESRB rating: E for Mild Violence
- Last updated: August 31, 2016
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