LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Disney-Pixar Monsters University

Common Sense Media says

Kids develop scary-good logic skills with Mike and Sulley.

Age(i)

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Quality(i)

 

Learning(i)

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LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Disney-Pixar Monsters University gallery

What parents need to know

Positive messages

Sulley and Mike work together and cheer each other on.

Positive role models

The characters are friendly and upbeat with each other.

Ease of play

Controls are easy to use, directions are clear, and things respond as you would expect them to. This game is easy for kids to play.

Violence & scariness
Not applicable
Language
Not applicable
Consumerism

It is based on a popular movie franchise with plenty of merchandise tie-ins, but there are no ads within the game.

Privacy & safety
Not applicable

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Disney-Pixar Monsters University is more of a game-focused cartridge than a story-based one. This is a collection of puzzle and logic games that start out simply and then slowly increase in difficulty. These puzzle games -- which change each time you play them -- can be replayed over and over again.

What kids can learn

Subjects

Math

  • grouping

Skills

Thinking & Reasoning

  • deduction
  • memorization
  • strategy

Creativity

  • making new creations

Engagement, Approach, Support

Engagement

Kids will be drawn into the movie setting without strictly following the story plot. The games are replayable and increase in difficulty over time so kids will stay engaged.

Learning Approach

Kids can enjoy the freedom to play without a scripted experience or heavy prompting. The learning is subtle enough that they may not notice, but rich enough that they can bring the skills with them elsewhere in life.

Support

In-game directions are clear and prompts help when kids get stuck. The LeapFrog Connect online learning software allows parents to track their child's progress through the game.

What kids can learn

Subjects

Math

  • grouping

Skills

Thinking & Reasoning

  • deduction
  • memorization
  • strategy

Creativity

  • making new creations

Kids can learn logical thinking skills and express their creativity by playing with Monsters University stars Mike and Sulley. They use strategy skills and creativity as they sneak through college venues in search of pennants; while the mini-games work their memory and observation skills. Offering a nice combination of both thinking and creativity skills, this Monsters U game is a fun way to extend your kids' movie experience.

This Learning Rating review was written by Christy Matte

Parents say

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What's it about?

LEAPFROG EXPLORER LEARNING GAME: DISNEY-PIXAR MONSTERS UNIVERSITY touches upon the story from the movie, but doesn't replicate it. Mike and Sulley are reminiscing about their college days. Kids can help recreate those days by sneaking around college locations in search of coins, pennants, collectible trading cards, and souvenirs for their fraternity house. They must avoid rivals or trick them into getting caught. Kids can also create their own monsters (or monsterize themselves), record roars, and test out their scariness in the scare simulator. They can unlock new monster parts as they explore more of the college.

There are also two minigames. The first is a card matching game that starts with all of the pictures showing and increases in difficulty by turning the cards facedown. The other is a version of "Who am I?" Kids try to identify the correct monster by eliminating those with/without certain characteristics.

Is it any good?

QUALITY
 

Kids who enjoy puzzles and logic games will like LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Disney-Pixar Monsters University. The progressive difficulty keeps things interesting even though there aren't a wide range of activities. There are plenty of unlockables, and parents can track learning on via the online LeapFrog Connect parent portal. This is a fun game that helps kids live out some Monsters University dreams while reinforcing logic and problem-solving skills.

Families can talk about...

  • Draw your own monsters. Turn them into your own "Who am I?" game.

  • Play a matching game with a deck of cards.

  • Build monsters out of recycled items and create an obstacle course with them.

Game details

Platforms:LeapPad Explorer, Leapster Explorer
Price:$24.99
Available online?Not available online
Developer:LeapFrog
Release date:June 13, 2013
Genre:Educational
Topics:Adventures, Friendship, Monsters, ghosts, and vampires

This review of LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Disney-Pixar Monsters University was written by

Christy Matte

About our rating system

  • ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
  • PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
  • OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
  • NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids of any age.

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Quality

Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Learning ratings

  • Best: Really engaging, great learning approach.
  • Very Good: Engaging, 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.

Find out more

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Parent Written byRay Nataniel November 14, 2013
AGE
5
QUALITY
 

A good puzzle, but not so movie related..

Its a nice game all right, but I think that the relation of the game to the pixair characters is quite distant. Its more like a game that needs the characters than a puzzle action game like Smartball Gravity Games (and alike) which I think stands for itself.
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