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48 of 50 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fun wireless game which you can use to make them think!, October 23, 2001
Durability:3.0 out of 5 stars Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars
POX is Hasbro's new wireless electronic game. It is geared for boys (and girls) ages 8 to 13. Using mouse-sized, radio-controlled "POX Containment Units" with three-inch LCD screens, the goal of the player is to save the earth from the spread of an alien DNA by firing off more toxic strains of the spores via heads, torsos, and tails and across three different-colored species: Spino, Cycro and Plasmo. Players within 30 feet of one another (POX is a LOT more fun when playing against other players, rather than alone) automatically detect and infect one another -- whether they like it or not. The youngsters like the "sneaky" aspect to this game, not realizing that this is educational in itself, in that they are developing and honing their strategy skills, which is an added bonus to parents and to the children themselves. They "win" libraries of superior POX strains, which they store and use in future wars. I don't wish to leave you under the impression that these games are exceedingly violent, I would term them rather "exciting". The players are fighting aliens (which are reminiscent of Tamagachi and Pokemon) rather than "eachother", that carry viruses, and also strive to prevent becoming infected themselves. There's no cutting-edge wireless technology here, no "hard-core" gaming strategy involved, and relatively tame graphic violence since the screen is small. Taking into consideration our uneasy and tragic current affairs, the whole POX concept can be utilized as a mode for which to open communication with your youngster about chemical, germ and viral warfare. These games encourage strategic thinking, promote fine motor skills, hand/eye coordination and provide an avenue through which parents may educate their children, by utilizing the devices to initiate discussion concerning the danger and consequences of contamination, infection and chem/bio hazards and protection and prevention thereof.
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