NOTE: This program has been updated for 2001 with a couple of new features (with a Tactile Mouse and Windows 98/Me/2000, children can play the game with tactile feedback; also, printable activities have been added). The new title is Zoombinis Logical Journey.

Hiding behind a somewhat odd title is an exceptional program that presents an engaging workout for the brain. This program opens with a story about the Zoombinis - cute little characters who lived a life of peace until the Fleens turned them into slaves. The adventure begins at Zoombini Isle where players are presented with a mission to lead as many Zoombinis as possible to Zoombiniville. On the isle, kids recruit a band of 16 Zoombinis by choosing 4 different physical features (hairstyle, eyes, nose, and feet) for each little creature. These attributes cleverly become the important variables in the program's innovative logic puzzles. Some of the obstacles and trials the Zoombinis encounter include:

• Allergic Cliffs: The Zoombinis need to cross over bridges, but a cliff guards each one and is "allergic" to one or more Zoombini characteristics. In fact, if a Zoombini possessing any of these unidentified, offending features attempts to cross a bridge, the cliff will sneeze and blow the creature back to his starting point. Through trial and error and logical thinking, players put together a plan that will get their band of Zoombinis safely across.
• Pizza Pass: Arno the Almost Omnivorous Pizza-Eating Tree Troll wants - guess what? A pizza, of course. It is up to players to determine, again through trial and error and logic skills, exactly which combination of toppings that will appease this hilarious troll. On higher levels, Arno's friends join him, each with their own personal preferences, and sundaes are added for increased challenge.
• Captain Cajun's Ferryboat: To find a seat on this ferry, a Zoombini needs to share a characteristic with his neighbor. The challenge is to get all of them on the ferry by seating them strategically.
• Fleens! is a personal favorite. Zoombinis and Fleens are related somehow, but players need to use deductive thinking skills to determine which Zoombini traits match up with those of the Fleens.
• Mudball Wall: A tall stone wall is blocking the Zoombinis' path. A mudball machine allows them to sling mud at the targets on the wall. There is a pattern in this wall, and it's up to the player to figure it out.
• Bubblewonder Abyss: This is probably the most challenging puzzle in the game. Zoombinis travel in bubbles over a maze-like abyss, but players will need to plan ahead in order to lead their Zoombinis across without losing some.

Altogether, there are 12 trials to face before a group of Zoombinis makes it to the peaceful Zoombiniville. Some of the original 16 may have been lost on the way, but rest assured that they have simply found their way back to the base camps (there are 2 such camps in the journey) and players are afforded unlimited chances to lead them through in subsequent attempts! This is a thoughtful feature, as young children can actually grow a little attached to the creatures they have "designed".

Children must return to home base and design more groups of Zoombinis to lead to freedom. The activities remain the same, but they become more challenging as players progress with the introduction of more factors to challenge players' brains. There are 4 levels of difficulty (Not So Easy, Oh So Hard, Very Hard, and Very Very Hard). In the journey mode, each time kids successfully lead 3 full bands of Zoombinis through a particular trail, they automatically progress to the next level.

There is a practice mode for kids to play the activities outside of the adventure. Choosing this mode allows access to any puzzle and players can select a difficulty level they feel most comfortable with. Games can be saved and loaded easily, and there are other options to control background music, transitions, and even whether to use a "sticky mouse" option. The game includes an excellent manual with descriptions of the puzzles, off-the-computer extension activities, and some problem-solving strategies. This Deluxe version features more on-screen help than the original.

One look at the "skills covered" category, and you'll begin to realize how valuable this program really is. This title presents opportunities to develop mathematical thinking without using any numbers. Though the box says ages 9 and up, children a little younger will enjoy the adventure. In fact, its theme and content is probably perfectly suited for children ages 8-10. However, with 4 difficulty levels, even adults can find some puzzles to challenge them.

This program is one of my personal favorites and truly is a classic that belongs in every family's software library. It's certainly the best "un-math" math program we've seen.

Technically Speaking
Minimum requirements for Windows are quite low: 486/33, 8 MB RAM, and 2X CD-ROM. For Macs, at least a 68030/25 processor is required with 8 MB RAM and 2X CD-ROM.

Skills Covered
observation, logic, testing theories, forming theories, using evidence, arranging by attributes, comparisons, patterns, mapping skills, graphing, multidimensional arrangements of data, organizing data, algebraic thinking, sequential logic.

Educational Value
Highly educational in an engaging way, this game presents a clever workout in logical thinking and deductive reasoning. Children exercise higher-order math thinking skills without ever working with numbers or mathematical equations.

Entertainment Value
With fun and addictive game-play, this program will delight over time. The featured characters are cute and earnest, and the multi-level "puzzles" are challenging but still manage to be exceptionally entertaining.

Design
The supporting manual, on-screen help, challenge levels, and interface are all well designed.

Replayability
Lots of content translates into a long shelf life. If anything, there may be a little too much content for some -- the entire journey takes many, many hours to complete.

Dollar Value
This classic program now sells for approximately $15 US. We consider the game one of the best and most valuable title in our collection.