Customer Reviews

Zoombinis Logical Journey

5 star:		(113)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(43)

 

 

I taught "information design" at a major University for over 10 years, which means I teach others how to teach or instruct in various media. Before this, I spent 16 years designing computer software interfaces, web sites, and instructional material, including dozens of national and international awards for my work. As such, I am keenly aware of both the theoretical and practical issues and difficulties in designing instructional games for children.

The best-known, most-respected, and most-successful educators tell us that education for children (and for adults, for that matter) is most effective when it is fun, when it involves guided self-discovery, when it transparently and automatically adjusts the level of difficulty to match the learner's skills, and when it gives immediate feedback, especially when the emphasis is on positive feedback to the extent possible. Zoombinis excells in all of these areas.

My 9-year-old son has become engrossed by the game, and now spends time helping his 6-year-old sister. They LOVE the silly aspects of the Zoombinis ("hip, hip, zoombini!!!"), and are completely unaware that they are learning some rather complex logic and mathematical concepts. I was amazed when I overheard my son explaining to his sister how to solve the logic puzzles.

I tried playing it myself, and found that the animation and characters are not annoying, cloy, or childish, but possess just the right amount of levity to keep it interesting. I've found that after just a few hours of playing it, my son is already faster than me at figuring out the puzzles. He is now doing it at an intuitive level, while I still have to think it through step-by-step.

Unlike other software, which usually follows a fairly simplistic, linear algorithm that is easily defeated by simple trial-and-error (click everything until it works, then memorize the right pattern), the Zoombini puzzles/problems require the learner to internalize generalizable, transferable problem-solving methods.

Sorry if this sounds like mumbo-jumbo. The bottom line is that this is an outstanding educational product that teaches remarkably complex thinking skills to children while seeming to be nothing more than a really fun computer game. Buy it! You'll be happy you did.

I cannot believe I am so in love with a computer game. My brother started playing it when he was 2 years old, and now his best skill is logic and mathematics -thanks to Logical Journey of the Zoombinis. This game is seriously a challenge for everyone that plays it. Even my mom, who is a very busy 37 year old full time educator, makes time to play this game (she says it makes her relax). We even take it to summer holidays to play it! Me -I am 16 years old- and my 18 year old sister also never get enough of Logical Journey. And I have been playing it for 6 years!
First you choose 16 of these creatures called Zoombinis, and you are supposed to take them out of their island so they can be free. Of course, on the way to their new home, there are several tests to go through. Each single game is excellent, and each one of them demands logic and brain use while you have fun. You enjoy so much this game that you don't know how much time passed and you keep playing it for hours.
It is not easy to finish the game: it takes a lot of time -and a lot of Zoombinis- to finally get them all to their new home and through each game. This is one of the best parts of the game.
Because of the creativity displayed inside this game, the smartness the creators had to make it real, the challenge well put for people of every single age.... I take off my hat (although I don't have one on :-) and my applauses go to the people who created this game.
Whoever they are, thanks a lot. God bless you and to all the readers, enjoy Logical Journey of the Zoombinis!
PS: I also recommend Zoombinis Mountain Rescue.

My younger sisters and I have been homeschooled for years, and our math teacher makes a point of bringing math computer programs for us to play durig the week. She brought us "Logical Journey of the Zoombinis" a few years ago, and we all became hooked. Even my older sister gave it a try. Once we figured out how to solve the puzzles, we had so much fun. Then we lost the CD and couldn't find it anywhere.

A few months ago, we saw this on amazon.com and were delighted! Of course we ordered another copy. Being older (14 1/2, 12, and 10 1/2) we had learned more math and were able to get to the higher levels. That's where we started having problems with it.

The levels go from extremely easy to ridiculously difficult in so little time. It would be better if they spent more time on each level and worked your way up gradually, or if they didn't even get to levels that are so difficult. Not one of us (including my oldest sister, now 17) has won Zoombinis. This isn't even because we haven't figured out how to solve the highest levels, because we have. It's because of another problem with the game. You have to get way too many Zoombinis to Zoombiniville (over 500, I think). Each trip, which can take about forty-five minutes, transports only sixteen Zoombinis. After maybe ten max trips, you're on the highest level. That's pretty hard, and you get bored with doing the same things over and over. As it is, none of us have gotten very many past 200 to Zoombiniville. We simply get bored.

Plus, it says that the age range is 8 and up. Don't let this fool you. A very intelligent 8-year-old would probably be able to figure out the level-one and level-two puzzles, but not many puzzles on higher levels.

My final verdict is: Great game, lots of fun, but gets too hard too easily and would take too long to actually win.

Even through it is for ages 9+ my four year old has been able to play on her own and has really enjoyed the game. It involves thinking logically and is totally different to most of the other software available for children. I also found the game very enjoyable and a challenge at the hardest levels, my four year old plays on the easy level, my seven and six year old are at the second level. The game advances with the child. The child has to successfully complete a path of three games with all 16 zoombinis for a total of four times before the game progresses to the next level so they do not get moved up to quickly. They love making there zoombinis as they can pick the eyes hair feet and nose colour of each zoombini. Some of the puzzles are based on the zoombinis appearence, There eyes hair feet or nose help you decide the bridge/path/seating position etc and no two games are the same. Then there are the games that are not based on the zoombinis features such as deciding what toppings you put on the pizzas so that each of three characters gets the pizza it likes, which path the frogs can take based on colour or leaf shape or pattern on a leaf, which row and colomn you splash mud on that will bounce your zoombinis over the wall. There are a total of nine different games. This game is different from most I have seen in that it requires a different type of thinking. The games are quite different than the ones you find in a lot of other software. This is quite a hard game to describe. For a game that makes a child think and be observant while having fun this is one game that you should have in your childs game collection. It is also a game that will last with your child getting years of use.

Zoombinis Logical Journey is everything that educational software should be. It is entertaining, compelling and teaches unobtrusively. Your child will learn mathematical and logical concepts while they are enjoying themselves!

The Zoombinis are little creatures who vary in 4 features: hair, eyes, nose and feet. They lived happily until some bad guys came to their village, and now they're trying to make their way to Zoombiniville, a new place where they can be happy again. Along the way they will need to solve puzzles to advance along the path. These puzzles are fun and involve determining which characteristics (hair, nose, eyes and feet) allow certain Zoombinis to cross a bridge, for example. Or you may have to figure out what toppngs need to go on a picky ogre's pizza. These tasks teach problem solving, logic, set theory, sorting, mapping, hypothesis testing and pattern comprehension. The narration is funny and you'll hve a good time playing.

I bought this for a 5-year old, and while the tasks are generally too difficult for a preschooler, we play together and some concepts are taking hold. And, I have to admit , sometimes I keep playing on my own!

We own over 60 children's software titles, and some we are exceedingly fond of, but if I could keep only one game, this would be it. Terrific!

I originally purchased Logical Journey for my son back in 2001. As of now, two years later, we still have yet to save all 600+ Zoombinis from the wretched Bloats. That is not to say that this game is boring. On the contrary, no. I have played the game alongside with my kids and sometimes the puzzles stump me as well. When the kids play, they are never bored. My son, who is now 9, and my daughter, who is 5 play the game together.

The best thing about this game is that every time you play, every puzzle is solved differently. For example, when you come to the Allergic Mountains, you have to figure out which Zoombinis can cross which bridge. I have seen the mountains accept or reject Zoombinis based on physical features as well as gender.

One marked improvment I have seen in my son is his math skills. I originally bought the game because my son needed to learn to think logically. That was a skill that neither I nor his teachers seemed to be able to instill in him. Zoombinis helped him do that. While he still needs more practice in the skill, I have noticed that he is able to solve math word problems and simple logic problems with ease.

This logical game is very fun and interesting to play. It is easy to learn how to play, but difficult to master it. It has approximatly 600 zoombinis that you have to get through a series of puzzles to get them from Zoombini Isle to Zoombiniville. Because you can only take 16 zoombinis at a time it takes a long time to beat the game. As you get further into the game, it goes through four levels and becomes even more challenging. There are 16 different puzzles including difficult ones and some that are relatively simple (at the start at least!). Everybody will love the logic, fun, and difficulty of this game.

When one of my best guy friends showed me this new game he got, I saw the name and thought, "Zoombinis?? What the heck kind of name is that??" But then he showed me how to play the game and I loved it! At a local science and industry center, my cousin and I walked into the computer lab, and I saw that The Logical Journey of the Zoombinis was on option of a game to play. So I said to my cousin, "Hey! You should play this game it's great! But it's very logical. I can help you out." So we played it. My cousin said it was way cool! I would rate this game with 5 stars and 2 thumbs up. It's an all-around "go" for kids. Every time I play the game, my friend and I sit with furrowed brows trying to figure out how to get past a certain level. Although I don't have my own copy of the game, every time I get a chance to play, I'm so excited because this is such a great game. Parents, if you don't want your kids on the computer very much because they aren't learning anything? Or maybe you don't want them to learn about violence. Well, give your kids this game and although they may be skeptical at first, this game is so much fun, and they will learn TONS upon TONS about everyday logic. I told my friend that it was probably one of those educational games that are totally underrated age-wise. But he persisted that I atleast try it, and boy did he prove me wrong! I've been playing it for atleast 2 years now, and I still have not beaten the game! Well parents, if your kid asks for this game, remember... It's the "Logical Journey of the Zoombinis...and the key word here is LOGICAL." :)

This product can be installed under Windows XP. However, it requires the Compatability Wizard:

Installing Logical Journey of the Zoombinis® Using the Program Compatibility Wizard

Most programs designed for an earlier version of the Windows® operating system will install and run properly on Windows® XP. In some instances, however, when attempting to install such a program, various issues can occur. The information and procedure presented in this section will help you to install a program (designed for earlier versions of Windows®) by using the Program Compatibility Wizard.

NOTE: Windows® XP allows different options for viewing graphical interface. The following procedure assumes that the default Windows® XP view settings are used, rather than the Classic Start Menu View.

Uninstall the program using the Add or Remove Programs Control Panel (Steps a-c under Installing in Windows® XP).
After removing the program, or if the program does not show in the Add or Remove Programs Control Panel, continue with the next step.
Verify the Minimum System Requirements of the program that is to be installed. (This information will be needed as the procedure below is completed.)
Close programs and return to the desktop.
Insert the program (or installation) CD into the CD-ROM drive.

NOTE: If a program installation screen appears prompting you to install the program, click the selection (i.e., No, Cancel or Exit the Installation, etc.) that will cancel the installation, and return to the desktop.
Click Start on the Windows® taskbar.
Click All Programs, choose Accessories and select Program Compatibility Wizard. The icon appears as a question mark (?). The Program Compatibility Wizard Welcome window will open.
Click Next.
Click the "I want to use the program in the CD-ROM drive" radio button.
Click Next. A window presenting the different Windows® Compatibility Modes will open.
Click the radio button next to the desired Compatibility Mode and click Next. (Consult the Minimum System Requirements of the program that is to be installed [Step 1] for system information.) The window that appears allows for the selection of 256 Colors and/or 640 X 480 Pixel Screen Resolution.

NOTE: These display settings are not available options in Windows® XP. They are only available when running a program in Program Compatibility Mode. The only reason to choose either of these settings is if you are experiencing difficulty installing or running an older application designed to run in MS-DOS®, Windows® 3.1 or Windows® 95. If all options remain unchecked, then the current Colors and Screen Resolution settings will not be altered.

By default, Windows® XP uses visual themes that may change the appearance or behavior of other programs, especially those games or educational programs that include intensive graphics and animation. To prevent the visual themes from affecting these programs, check Disable Visual Themes.

Click Next. A window showing the heading "Test Your Compatibility Settings" will appear. In addition, the settings that you selected will appear.
Verify that the settings are correct.

NOTE: If the settings are not correct, click the Back button to return to the previous screen (or screens) and make the necessary changes.
With the correct settings selected and showing in the "Test Your Compatibility Settings" window, click Next. The program installation will begin.
Follow the prompts to install the program.
After the installation is complete, close the program to return to the Program Compatibility Wizard.

NOTE: After the program is closed, the window with the "Did the program work correctly?" question will reappear. The "Yes. Set this program to always use these compatibility settings" will be selected.
If the program functioned properly using the compatibility mode that was selected in Step 11 (above), click Next-the Program Compatibility Data window will open-and continue with Step 18.

NOTE: If the program did not function correctly, uninstall the program (using the Add or Remove Programs Control Panel: Step 1) and repeat the above procedure, choosing different compatibility settings.
In the window that opens, select Yes or No and click Next. The Completing the Program Compatibility Wizard window will appear.
Click Finish to close the window.
Launch and use the program.
For questions regarding the Program Compatibility Wizard or Windows® XP (or both), contact Microsoft® or go to http://www.microsoft.com for additional information.

I got this game years ago when it was still called "Logical Journey of the Zoombinis" but it's still the same game. I'm 17 years old, OK? I STILL like this game, lol. It's so cute how each of the Zoombinis has its own name and each is unique (save for one twin). The puzzles are great! This is going to sound nuts, but even though I got a 35 on the ACT including a 35 on the math part, some of these puzzles are STILL challenging for me at the harder levels! I just love logic puzzles. If you like logic puzzles, no matter what your age, this is a great game. I also like the fact that you get a monument for each trip segment and level that you get a perfect score on (aka you don't lose any Zoombinis). It probably could've had a cooler ending once you beat it all; that was the only disappointing thing. Otherwise, great!