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‘Ratatouille,’ ‘Shrek the Third’ games offer educational twist

This summer’s animated films, “Ratatouille” and “Shrek the Third,” both have video games associated with them that play on the major gaming consoles; but those games are too difficult for young children to play. Families with children ages 4 to 7 who are looking to extend this summer’s blockbuster films should turn to the Leapster and V.Smile platforms, educational gaming systems designed specifically for young children.

Kids can play with gourmand rat Remy in “Ratatouille” for the Leapster, and with Shrek in “ Shrek the Third: Arthur’s School Day Adventure.” Of the two, “Ratatouille” on the Leapster is the stronger title.

‘Ratatouille’ for Leapster

Kids join Remy in Paris for five cute educational games that teach reading, spelling and food facts. Four of the games can be played on three levels of difficulty, each of which roughly correlates to preschool, kindergarten and first grade in terms of the educational material presented.

In the sewers of Paris, children steer Remy’s raft as he grabs letters. In the kitchen of the famous Gusteau’s restaurant, kids help Remy collect food ingredients that have letters needed to spell words. Other games require the sorting of foods by attributes, and the matching of Paris apartment windows by sounds, shapes, letters, opposites and other age-appropriate categories.

By playing these four games, kids earn recipes, which they can make by using the touch-screen of the Leapster to stir, break eggs, and follow other directions. They can also try their hands at creating their own recipes.

Another real plus is that the games can be played by two people sharing one Leapster, with each playing on his or her own level of difficulty.

To kids, the games are simply fun; but parents will appreciate the hidden educational agenda. The mechanics are well thought out for young children, and the games offer tutorials when children are struggling. Kids won’t fail at these games, because the game play simply redirects them to the correct choice. “Ratatouille” looks and plays well on the Leapster.

Rating: 4.5 stars (out of 5)

Best for ages 4 to 7

From LeapFrog, www.leapfrog.com, $24.99, Leapster

‘Shrek the Third: Arthur’s School day Adventure’ for the V.Smile

This game is playable on the V.Smile TV Learning System or the V.Smile Pocket (a portable learning system). It offers two modes of play: a Learning Adventure Mode with four levels and a Learning Zone Mode with four games. Both modes offer two levels of difficulty.

In the Learning Adventure, kids use the multidirectional control pad or joystick to steer Shrek. In the first two levels, Shrek must pick up designated items. In the other two, kids control Shrek as he jumps up on ledges and over chasms while avoiding obstacles or baddies. There are three minigames involving spelling, spatial directions and following directions, but some have confusing directions. While this learning adventure has some educational content, kids will spend more time on navigating through this video game world and using hand-eye coordination.

The educational content is more apparent in the Learning Zone, where kids play games that sort items, match shapes, solve puzzles and test memory skills.

These graphics are hard to see when played on the V.Smile Pocket. Compared with the Leapster title, this game is a lot harder to play because the gaming mechanics require so much more skill. While the packaging suggests it is for kids ages 4 to 6, this software is best for children ages 5 to 7 who have played other V.Smile games. Also, the educational content isn’t as robust as that found on the Leapster, nor is the story as compelling.

Rating: 3 stars (out of 5)

Best for ages 5 to 7

From VTech, www.vtechkids.com, $19.99, V.Smile systems.