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 - Best I've seenMy six-year old is an electronic junkie, and has played LOTS of computer games. This one is BY FAR his all-time favorite. Mine too, as it is very educational. He will play until I make him stop! It runs great on the computer, and can be personlized with fun things for your child. I highly recommend it! Rating: - Expensive but worth it....First off, let me say that commonsensemedia.org gives a nice overview of the JumpStart World software. Second, after reading all the reviews I did not first purchase this disk, I bought the full download on the Knowledge Adventure website for a whopping $74.99, but we got all 12 units at once (although you must finish a unit to proceed to the next). I was getting tired of the non educational aspects of Webkinz and similar virtual worlds (littlest pet shop and myepets) so we gave this a try. Although my child is in Kindergarten, the year is almost over so I took a chance on the First Grade version and I'm glad I did. The game starts out pretty easy with pattern recognition, simple math, and letter sounds in Unit One. This unit took my child about 10 hours to complete. The second unit has her reading charts/graphs (something she has not had to do in Kindergarten so it's a little tough), solve word problems (that are read aloud), recognize math fact families, and tell time. Once in a while she does need help or for me to read something to her. So the games are appropriately challenging for my nearly 6 yr old and the "world" is fun...you can choose your character, dress it, and buy and care for a pet, create artwork anytime you want and have a parade. You can flip between exploring the "world" and playing the games as much as you like. Most activities are mouse-driven but some do use the arrow keys like a tricky tetris-style game. Kids are motivated to go back and play the games repeatedly b/c doing so gets them more jewels to buy stuff for their pet and virtual home. It's all very well done: the graphics are good, so far the music isn't too annoying, and it runs perfectly on VISTA (although we had one bug installing it that my husband had to google a fix for). All in all I asked my daughter, who has played a zillion computer and leapster games why she likes Jump Start World and she says "it's just awesome!". Rating: - Jumpstart World 1st GradeThis product is excellent learning tool for kids. My son couldn't wait until he got next unit purchased to go and explore new places. This software gives kids an ability to play and learn at the same time and it's never boring. This game has a good balance of fun and learning activities. The only draw back is the fact that it was not made very clear that this box includes only 2 levels and to continue you need to purchase additional levels so the child can move to the next level. But my son is enjoying this game very much. Rating: - So engagingI got this for my son who LOVES to play it. He has increased his skill and mastery in all academic areas. He loves having a pet to take care of, jobs to get done and new areas open up with each new accomplishment. There are a few learning games that challenge him and I'll sit with him and help him work on, but as he "gets it" he'll get so excited and give me a hug. The game has been such a hit that the neighbor's daughter comes over just to play the game. For the use that my children are getting out of it, SO worth the money. Rating:  - Slow, needs internet connection, poorly thought outThis is the lousiest children's software I've ever seen. I think the previous reviews must be that of an earlier version. I am returning it to Amazon . Save yourself the trouble -- don't purchase it. What are the issues? (1) My kids use my old laptop -- a machine with 512 MB of RAM, Pentium-III 500 MHz CPU and 32 MB of video RAM. Not the greatest machine, granted ... but the software is slow as molasses on it. (2) The game will not work unless the CD is the drive *AND* the machine is connected to the internet. I'd rather not connect my 5-year old's machine to the internet. Thank you very much. (3) Navigation in the game is not with a mouse but with arrow keys. And if a kid presses an arrow key in a "disallowed" direction, there is no beep or anything. So, the kid keeps pressing the key and gets frustrated. (4) Every 10 minutes or so, the software freezes with a "loading" message. Looks like the CD is not complete. It actually downloads content from the internet each time. I suppose this is to prevent piracy. But do you really want to support a company that doesn't trust its customers and is willing them to let them endure long waits? If I could give this game 0 stars, I would give it.
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