Dora the Explorer: Super Star Adventures

There are a ton of games out there based on Dora, but Dora the Explorer: Super Star Adventures is perhaps the easiest to recommend for really young gamers. This is a very simple and basic game and that is not meant as a dig on the game or anything like that. This is a game that is clearly aimed at preschoolers.

D.D.D.D Dora

One of the things that is good about Dora the Explorer: Super Star Adventures is the way that it manages to capture the feel and look of the TV show. The game is not going to win any awards for its graphics or anything like that. However, the characters, locations, items and so on are all recognizable and that is something kids will really like I am sure.

More Than Words

One interesting approach that the developers took with this game was in how it moves the story forward. The basics are that Dora needs to collect the 6 Stars that will give her abilities. The game has no text at all and instead of the story is told via pictures, symbols and even the od bit of text here and there. It is quite clever and should ensure that a preschooler would be able to play this on their own.

Mix and Match

The gameplay of Dora the Explorer: Super Star Adventures is a bit of a mixed bag. The game is more like a series of mini-games and puzzles than anything else. One game is like a Frogger rip off, another sees Dora racing and then there are mazes, matching games and so on. These are rather simple, but I am sure that many kids will find these enjoyable. They are very easy to understand and there is not really any way for a child to fail.

I think this is a great “first video game” for a younger child. It is very inoffensive and the way the game manages to be just like the show is sure to be something kids love. The only real negative if I am being honest is that there is no way for children to save their game. Meaning they have to play through it all each time they fire it up.

It would be so easy for me to say that Dora the Explorer: Super Star Adventures just flat out sucks, but that is not the case at all. This is a game that is made for preschoolers and I must admit that it does what it does very well. The game is very simple so I would say that children who are new to games will only get so much fun out of it before they find it too easy. However, it is a fun experience while it lasts, especially for Dora fans.

Final Score: 7.5/10

Pros:

• The game has that Dora style
• The way it tells the story is clever
• I liked the sound effects and music
• There is a nice variety to the mini-games
• It would make for a great first video game

Cons:

• It is very, very simple
• There is no way for kids to save their game