Customer Reviews

Pikachu PokeROM

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Learning -- fun? Hmmm... sounds dubious, doesn't it? But Mattel Media's new Pokemon Pokeroms answer this claim to a good degree as Pokemon icon Professor Oak leads kids in activities that promote math and grammar skills. Each session begins with a "Concentration"-type puzzle, where math equations and answers must be matched. Each correct match reveals part of a Pokemon. When the entire image is revealed, it can be saved or printed. The computerized board game finds up to four players answering grammar questions to move across a virtual gameboard. Questions can be tailored for children from grades 1 to 5, but there are far too few questions in each level and they soon become repetitive. Inserting a different Pokerom should seemingly give players a new set of questions, but on the two different Pokeroms we tried (Mewtwo and Charmander) the questions were the same. The Pokemon sanctuary, where you search a map for Pokemon and click hot spots to reveal them, grows old quickly. Each click seems to reveal a different shot of your Pokemon but, in reality, only triggers a slideshow that will reveal all of the pictures if you don't click away fast enough. In spite of these negatives, Pokeroms offer a non-violent, educational computer experience that children will enjoy. If Mattel adds new questions to the series 2 and 3 Pokeroms (due later this year) my rating will go up a star.

The various PokeRoms (Pikachu is my son's favorite) are a wonderful way to combine a child's interest in the Pokemon phenomenon with a simple introduction for a child to the use of a computer. It is a wonderful way to play with your child, while at the same time helping the child become interested in a learning game. The most fun part, however, is simply the process of collecting the many Pokemon characters in PokeRom form and adding them to the Pokemon sanctuary. The program is very simple and easy for a child to use. While I agree that it would be an excellent idea to change the questions with each new PokeRom, I still give this product the highest rating for any parent who wants to share the fun of "Pokemon" with their child in a creative computer environment.

My son, far too young at 4 loves pokemon. This has disappointed all of us because It is far too difficult to even facillitate guesses. The levels are very difficult and lack fun. Its too bad it isnt more animated. Normally, children of all ages can at least guess at these answers. But there is no room for mistakes. Im sorry that I bought two of these.

My son received a pokerom as a gift for his 6th birthday. Every time he tries to enter the Pokemon Sanctury, we get a message on our computer that there is an error on the disc and the program shuts down. The message also states that if the problems persists that the vendor of the program should be contacted. There is a phone number on the package, however, it is not a toll free number. I do not believe that I should have to pay long distance charges to discuss problems on such a small program.

I have been trying to locate customer service on-line but I have been unsuccessful.

This has been very disappointing for my child who is a very avid Pokemon fan.

My 8 yr. old son received Pikachu PokeROM for a gift, and we were unable to install it. When it prompted us for the location of the Pokemon Sanctuary files, it complained that there wasn't enough disk space (our system has 20 GB free). He is very disappointed and it is too bad that Mattel did such a terrible job testing this product.

As I first explored the Pokerom, I thought WOW! This is the best in the world! It's awesome. A pokemon sanctuary too!!!!