Jumpstart Explorers PC Game

JumpStart Explorers, starring C.J. Frog and Edison Firefly, sends you on a mission to find C.J.'s nieces and nephews. The missing tadpoles, Molly, Wolly, Polly, Tad, Chad and Wart, borrowed their uncle's time machine to play hide and seek and now they're lost in five places in history: ancient Egypt, China, Peru, the Plymouth Colony and Antarctica. As you search, you take part in activities and quests and learn about the life and times of the various places and ages.

As an adjunct to learning, the goal is to acquire points by completing games and activities for every 100 earned, one of 40 printable stickers (eight in each area) is awarded that can be attached to the provided map of the world. A typical activity is to pick a level to play and a time to visit, then plot a course and follow directions on the map. Match the correct power cards to start the time machine correctly, earn points, and you're off on the adventure.

Although each area has different games and activities, the maze game, changed to depict items from the era and area visited, remains constant. The maze is a timed challenge in which points are earned by picking up items and reaching the end within the allotted time (90 seconds). The other games in each area offer a diverse collection of activities.

In Egypt, you can groom the royal cat, decorate the face of the Sphinx, learn about Hieroglyphics and write messages in Tadpoleglyphics, wrap C.J. up as a mummy and spin him free, find the Pharaoh's treasure room or explore the countryside around the Nile while searching for Polly. A trip to China offers activities focusing on Chinese lanterns, silk, a dragon dance, presents and what they symbolize and the search for Molly.

Peru provides insights into the Inca system of roads and messengers, llamas, alpaca wool items, quipu (a system of keeping track of numbers and items) and the search for Tad. While at Plymouth Colony, learn about planting and husking corn and other domestic farming activities, play an arrow game, see an Indian deer trap and search the Mayflower for Wolly. Finally, Antarctica offers activities on proper dress for the frozen lands, cairns and their use, dogsled treks, animal life (penguins and seals) and a chance to find Chad and Wart.

Other rewards for finding missing tadpoles are a celebration with singing and dancing appropriate to the location and a printable craft representing the specific area. Courses become more complicated and difficult at higher levels with fewer matching power cards, though most other aspects of the game don't change. ~ Lisa Karen Savignano, All Game Guide