LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Disney-Pixar Cars 2
Spy learning adventure has fun mini-games, one with guns.
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LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Disney-Pixar Cars 2
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this game.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Disney-Pixar Cars 2 is an educational game for the Leapster Explorer and LeapPad Explorer game systems. Kids unlock 8 mini-games by driving Mater around Radiator Springs. Each mini-game replicates a scene from the Cars 2 movie while seamlessly incorporating learning activities. In one racing game, cars are shot at by competitors, but no one is hurt. The game relies mostly on kids' math skills and less on the ability to handle the controls, so this may be a good choice for kids who are newer to handheld gaming. That said, the problem-solving activities can be challenging and require the ability to follow multiple directions.
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What’s It About?
LEAPFROG EXPLORER LEARNING GAME DISNEY-PIXAR CARS 2 for the Leapster Explorer and the LeapPad is based on the plot of Cars 2 movie. Kids drive Mater around a track in Radiator Springs collecting spare car parts, and chatting with other cars along the way. As Mater shares the story with the cars he meets, kids unlock each of 8 mini-games that include spy activities and races. There are 8 mini-games/plot points. American Spy car Finn McMissile infiltrates the enemy ship and takes pictures of their leader cars. Finn and Mater are chased by an enemy car and must try to slow the car down. Mater needs to crack a code. More enemy car chasing. Finn has to determine the distance to another ship and choose the best grappling hook for the job. Mater is diguised and needs your help keeping him undercover. Mater needs you help to escape from the gears in Big Ben. And lastly, Lightning relives the final race in the movie.
Is It Any Good?
Disney-Pixar Cars 2 is, for the most part, a great pairing of entertaining content and learning activities with the allure of acting out the part of a spy. Some of the mini-games are more educational than others, but they will definitely make kids feel like they are a part of the spy action. The one real flaw of the game is that the 8 mini-games need to be unlocked by driving Mater around Radiator Springs. It's cute at first, but the characters start to repeat themselves (especially Lightning McQueen), and the road all looks the same which can be boring. Picking up spare parts loses appeal quickly as well. Once the games are unlocked, kids can access them from the a separate menu for replay. Some kids may enjoy playing the mini-games over and over, while other may just aim to complete the game.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about friendship. What makes a good friend?
Do you think gun violence is a problem in a learning game for young children?
Game Details
- Platform: LeapFrog games
- Available online?: Not available online
- Publisher: LeapFrog
- Release date: July 5, 2011
- Genre: Edutainment
- Topics: Cars and Trucks
- ESRB rating: NR
- Last updated: August 29, 2016
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