|
Click on
Shop Hoagies' Page before you visit your favorite on-line stores
including Amazon
and many more of your favorite stores. Thanks for
making Hoagies' Gifted community possible!
Donations
Your donations help keep Hoagies' Gifted Education Page on-line.
Support Hoagies' Page!
| |
Software Favorites
Some software titles are played once or twice and then sit on the shelf collecting
dust, while other titles are played over and over, even as the child grows and learns.
Some are even played by the parents, too! Our goal
is always to buy those long lasting titles, but its not easy to tell from the package
which titles will be popular with our gifted kids and young adults.
Software Favorites includes software titles that are perpetually popular with gifted
kids, young adults, and their parents. Each entry includes the software title,
publisher, and publisher's recommended ages, as well as the age (in parenthesis) that our
kids first enjoyed the software.
Some of our kids have state-of-the-art Windows Vista PCs, while others have edge-of-the-art
systems, running old versions of Windows and other software. Software
Favorites is divided: New Software Favorites are programs that
support Windows XP or latest Mac
OS, while Old Software Favorites are programs that run well on the older versions of operating
systems. Vista is a new variable; most XP programs run on Vista, but some
surprising ones don't - your best approach is to read the description and
packages, to see if software will run on Vista.
Note: some older software titles may not be compatible with
Windows XP, and even more may not be compatible with Vista. Sometimes you can "get around" this incompatibility by changing the
"compatibility mode" of the game's executable file to 98/ME. Other titles
just won't run on Windows XP or Vista.
For content and playability reviews, visit SuperKids Educational Software Review Software reviews, by kids, parents, and educators, plus bestseller list and price survey.
Kaboose
Kids Domain Software Reviews More reviews...
"Free" software stores offer older titles at very reasonable prices (free +
shipping and handling)... Planet CD-ROM or
Free CD Software
is slightly higher, but has larger selection. 
New Software Favorites - run on Windows XP and/or latest
Mac OS
- BigBrainz Timez Attack
or
 (personal free download, or purchase)
- An adventure game that turns times tables into a fun adventure game!
-
 Descartes'
Cove
by Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (6 CD set for gifted grades 6
through 8)
- Marooned on a desert island once inhabited by Rene Descartes, students
discover his notebook and gear and begin their journey through the island's
tunnels, volcanoes, abandoned mines, and sunken ship. At each step, they
solve increasingly difficult puzzles and math challenges that follow NCTM
standards. As they master each math concept, they prepare to tackle the
final quest to build a means to escape from the island... For more great details, read
Blending instructional
design principles with computer game design: The development of
Descartes' Cove. There's even a
Descartes' Cove
Demo!
-
- Everett Kaser Software
(age 6
to adult!) runs on all ALL levels of Windows and now runs on Macs, plus apps
for smartphones!
- Logic and puzzle games designed to stretch your mind, not the storage
capacity of your hard disk or the speed of your CPU. Sherlock, Honeycomb
Hotel, Dinner with Moriarty, Hero's Hearts, Descartes Enigma, Floyd's
Bumbershoot, Lunatile, Solitile, Knarly Mazes, and more... each different than
the one before, but each tons of fun - there's a logic game for every learning
style! Check back regularly - not only updated versions of many
favorites each year, but several new games each year! My family
recommends the full CD - includes all Kaser's games.
-
Logical Journey of the Zoombinis
by
The Learning Company, ages 9 and up (age 5)
 Zoombinis Mountain Rescue
Zoombinis Island Odyssey
- Help the Zoombinis complete their journey by solving lots of different
puzzles...
-
 World
of WarCraft
and World
of WarCraft Expansion: Burning Crusade by Blizzard Entertainment (age 12)
- The world's largest interactive gaming community, with more than 8.5 million
gamers world-wide. Create and customize your own hero, then explore an
expansive world with miles of forests, deserts, snow-blown mountains, and other
exotic lands. Visit huge cities and delve through dozens of vast
dungeons... Or play the stand-alone version
WarCraft III Battle Chest or
WarCraft III: Reign of Chaos
and
WarCraft III Expansion: The Frozen Throne
-
 Zoo
Tycoon 2 Zookeeper Collection
by Microsoft, all ages
10+ (7
all the way to adult!)
- Build pens and habitats with an eye toward the needs of each animal species.
Tend to your human animals by locating gift shops, restaurants, drink stands,
and bathrooms. Happy and well-fed animals will cavort and play, making your
guests very happy. And happy guests results in more money for you to improve
your zoo. It's a balancing act...
 Age
of Empires III by Microsoft (age 8)
In this action adventure tale of historical fiction, players take on the
role of Morgan Black and his family, struggling against the hostile wilderness
and a mysterious cult that's crept in from Europe. In 24 scenarios divided
into three acts, Morgan Black and his descendants help the Aztecs resist
conquest by Spanish conquistadors, pit the French against the British in the
French and Indian War and help Simon Bolivar lead revolutions in South
America... Add
Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties Expansion Pack
Age
of Mythology by Microsoft (age 11)
(the violence
is reported to be “clean” and part of the story line)
Age of Mythology Gold transports you to a time where gods spoke to men, and
men battled monsters! Exciting real-time strategy awaits, as you take charge of
a civilization and lead it to world dominance. This Gold Edition includes the
original Age Of Mythology and its expansion pack, The Titans. Age of Mythology -
The Titans brings a new mythology into the mix of the hit strategy game. The
long-lost Atlanteans will fight for dominance over the earth and the heavens.
Use the godly powers of the Atlantean units multiple times, promote entire units
to hero status, and explore new areas...
Amazon Trail
III by SoftKey (age 6)
Face the perils of the uncharted rainforest as you journey to the source of
the mighty Amazon River, Your survival depends on the many decisions you will
make. Plan the Trip, Plot Your Course, Explore the Amazon...
 BigBrainz
Timez Attack (PC and Mac)
Turns times tables into a fun adventure game! (personal free download, or
purchase from
Amazon)
 Brain
Age and
Brain Age 2 (Nintendo DS)
Brain games and puzzles sure to please young and old(er) Nintendo players...
Chessmaster 9000 (4)
Learn how to master your opponent, how to find the best moves, and how to
shut out distractions. Older versions are also available, and quite good,
particularly for older PCs...
Chronic
Logic (8)
Design... Test... Enjoy!
 | Bridge Construction
a.k.a. Pontifex II, design and build bridges and then stress test them to see
how your creations hold up under pressure |
| GISH follow the tar-ball
hero Gish into an underworld of sewers to rescue his lady-friend Brea... |
| Bridge IT take on the
challenge of bridging the chasm. Can you solve the puzzles and avert disaster?
|
| Triptych maneuver
pieces so that three or more blocks of the same color are adjacent to each
other |
| Pontifex use a complex
physics engine to construct of many different types of bridges. Once the
design is complete, test the strength of the bridge by sending a train across
it |
 Civilization
IV by 2K Games, all ages (age 8)
Sid Meier's Civilization is recognized as one of the greatest PC games of
all-time. Take this incredibly fun and addictive game to new heights by adding
new ways to play and win, new tools to manage and expand your civilization,
all-new easy-to-use mod capabilities and intense multiplayer modes and options.
Civilization IV comes to life like never before in a beautifully detailed,
living 3D world . Older versions also Windows XP ready...
ClueFinders by RiverDeep, ages vary (use higher grade)Based on the award-winning television series, a cross between Dr. Brain and Myst type games
 Crazy
Machines: The Wacky Contraptions Game by Viva Media
Create your own Rube Goldberg style contraptions. Cool Physics engine
with air-pressure, electricity, gravity and particle effects, and Experiment
with gears, robots, explosives and more in your own virtual lab (Mac or PC, now
for Vista)
The
Critical Thinking Company
Self-tutoring software provides exercises and games to reinforce these
award-winning books...
Crystal Key 2: The Far Realm by Dreamcatcher Interactive
A malevolent power has stolen control of all the souls of Evany, and you
alone have survived. With the help of a star portal left behind by a
mysterious visitor, you escape your imprisoned planet and find yourself
alone in a vast galaxy of unknown worlds, desperate to find help for your
beleaguered home. Journey to an island of robots, a mysterious
abandoned desert dwelling, to solve the mystery...
Dr. Brain Puzzleopolis
 all ages (age 10)
You are Pro, the good clone of Dr. Brain. You'll get to play lots of
brain-teasing puzzles and watch tons of cool animations in your pursuit of Conn,
Dr. Brain’s evil clone! Complete the puzzles to get the items and friends you
need to defeat Conn and his evil companions. To succeed, you’ll have to use
logic, strategy, planning, experimentation, and skill...
 Flash
Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day (Nintendo DS)
Fast, fun activities and quick-play sports challenges give eyes a
challenging workout...
Game
Maker all ages (age 10) Free!Game Maker is a program that allows you
to make exciting computer games without the need to write a single line of code.
Using easy to learn drag-and-drop actions you can make professional looking
games in little time. Games with backgrounds, animated graphics, music and sound
effects. And once you get more experienced there is a built-in programming
language that gives you full flexibility. What is best, Game Maker can be
used free of charge
Geometer's
Sketchpad
Boxed set comes with the Geometer's Sketchpad software, plus a book of 101
project ideas, a learning guide, and quick reference guides for both Mac and
Windows. This software is an exploration software for mathematics, allowing
students to create and manipulate precise figures while learning about
geometric relationships...
Harry
Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by Electronic Arts, ages 6 and up (age 6)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Be Harry Potter in a unique new PC adventure with more magic, friendship,
and danger. Learn new spells, undertake new quests, make new friends, and
challenge new adversaries as you confront the powers at the heart of the Chamber
of Secrets...
I Spy by
Scholastic, ages 6 and up (age 3+ reading)More challenging and fun
than the books. From counting and vocabulary, to homonyms and more!
Ingenious,
also available in a board game
Ingenious
Carefully place rows of colors - with every move, you create new
possibilities. The more colored pieces are placed next to each other, the
more points you can gain. The color that you need the most points in is the
most important -- in the end, it will decide who wins or loses.
Practice in a single player game or against the computer's AI and hone your
technique, then surprise other players online with your skill. Simple
rules, quick playing time, and a clever system makes Ingenious... ingenious!
Jump
Start Typing by Knowledge Adventure, designed for kids (age 4)
Combines learning with games, teaches keyboarding technique, posture, speed,
accuracy and more...
 Kid
Pix IV by Brodurbund, all ages (age 4)
Use
the mouse, voice, and wildest imagination to create masterpieces on the
computer. Go beyond mere virtual painting to smear, gloop, and smudge colors on
a canvas that can be smooth, rough, or lizard-skinned... and tons more.
Creativity at it's best!
Learn
to Play Chess with Fritz and Chesster 2: Chess in the Black Castle
A fun way to learn, or learn more about, one of the favorite games of the
gifted mind...
Math
Blaster ages 6-12 (age 5)Up-to-date version of
the first educational software, learn math facts through interactive games...
Mavis
Beacon Teaches Typing by Brodurbund (age 5)The most-commonly
recommended typing software for gifted kids. Just the right combination of
serious and fun, Mavis Beacon features arcade-style games,
self-paced lessons, even a Palm-downloadable practice version!
Micro Worlds by
LCSI, grades 2 and up (age 8)
Logo based curriculum construction set, lets students learn through exploration, creation and construction. Includes Math Links, which is also good
 The
Number Devil by Viva Media, all ages (age 6)
Poor Robert! Math was a nightmare for him...until the Number Devil popped
into his dreams and showed him a whole new way to understand math concepts. Over
the course of 10 amazing nights, the witty Number Devil helps Robert discover
the tricks and wonders of numbers by magically transforming unfamiliar or
difficult math concepts into a dynamic learning experience. Based on the
book
The Number Devil: A Mathematical Adventure
Oregon
Trail History Learning System
by Encore Software, ages 7 and up (age 4)
Experience the expedition of a lifetime during the mid-1800's. Also
try
Carmen SanDiego Geography Learning System
Professor
Layton and the Curious Village ages 7 and up (age 4) (Nintendo DS)
Tackle over 130 puzzles as you unravel the mysteries of the village. Puzzles
range from mazes and riddles to logic and sliding puzzles, all with touch-screen
controls...
Quarter
Mile Math (age 5 and up)
Math practice software...
|
Quarter Mile Math Level 1 The four operations plus
counting, place value, missing number, etc. |
|
Quarter Mile Math Level 3 Decimals, percents,
estimation, integer introduction, integers, equation
introduction, and equations... |
|
Quarter Mile Math Level 1, 2, and 3 All three levels in
one |
 Roller
Coaster Tycoon 3 Wild by Infogrames, all ages (age 7)
Puts you in total control of a theme park, managing every detail from ride
development to rescuing lost guests...
 Rosetta Stone
 by Fairfield Language Technologies, adult (age 6)
One of the best examples of language-learning software, it relies on very
clever contextualization of the language's words and structures with photographs
so that you never realize you're learning grammar. 23 different languages,
including...
SimCity 4 Deluxe by
The Sims, ages (age 6)
Build a simulated city and help it grow and evolve
The
Sims by Electronic Arts, ages 13 and up
(can be used
to create teen-rated elements)
Exercise the muscle in your head. Loaded with puzzles that bewilder,
bamboozle, and boggle the mind, the games will challenge your synaptic reflexes
Sketch
Up all agesPowerful yet easy-to-learn 3D software. We think of it as the
pencil of digital design. This award-winning software combines a simple, yet
robust tool-set that streamlines and simplifies 3D design inside your
computer...
Stagecast
Creator all ages (age 7) Use the computer mouse to create simulations and
games completely visually, without a programming language. The only limit is
their imagination
StarLogo
all ages (age 11) Free!Programmable modeling environment for exploring the
workings of decentralized systems -- systems that are organized without an
organizer, coordinated without a coordinator. With StarLogo, you can model (and
gain insights into) many real-life phenomena, such as bird flocks, traffic jams,
ant colonies, and market economies (MIT)
Switchball
all ages
Ball-maze based on real world physical interactions, panoramic views of 30
incredible levels in 5 environments - Skyworld, Iceworld, Caveworld, Cloudworld
and Lavaworld; 40 interactive objects including wooden blocks, sheets of cloth,
spinning fans, magnets, cannons and more; Morph the marble into a different
ball, with unique physical properties including the metalball, powerball and
airball to more easily get through each area...
Tell
Me More - Global Leader in Language Learning Software
Intelligent Language software version evaluates your progress as you
learn, and uses your results to suggest
the activities and exercises best suited to your needs! Choose dynamic
mode, guided mode, or free-to-roam, to suit your learning style...
Typer
Shark by PopCap GamesFree download game! Fun typing game / tutor,
with multiple levels, graphics and sound effects...
For more typing links, visit Kids & Teens:
Links For the Love of Words... Typing!
Typing
of the Dead by Sega, ages 13+
(mature
themes)"Remake of House of the Dead 2. You play as James as you shoot
zombies by typing letters and words on your keyboard instead of using lightguns.
Type the letters correctly and they disappear and the dead fall. If you're looking for
a frantic and fun way to learn to type, while killing zombies and a few hours,
Typing of the Dead is finger-fighting good." For the Dreamcast keyboard
Viva
Media all ages (age 10)
|
Bioscopia to complete the mission and escape Bioscopia, learn about
biology and apply that knowledge to solve Bioscopia's clever puzzles |
|
Chemicus a science adventure requires chemistry to
solve a series of puzzles to rescue a kidnapped friend |
|
Physicus a fantastic puzzle adventure enriched by physical concepts in
optics, mechanics, electricity, fluid dynamics, and more |
Old Software Favorites - run on older Windows and/or Mac
OS
- Doctor
Walt’s CAD For Kids
by
CADKEY, ages 8
and up (age 6)
- Provides a dramatic introduction to both basic drafting and powerful
solid modeling. Create fancy cars, fascinating creatures, intricate robots,
and hundreds of other items with minimal effort...
- Adventures with Edison by Corel, ages 7-14 (age 4)
- Weird Science Arcade (physics), Mystery at the Museums (puzzles and logic), and Rock and Bach Studio (create original music!) - each one draws the kids back time and again. Requires little / no reading, depending on game. Note: some users had difficulty running 'Edison' on various PC configurations
-
Age
of Empires 2 Gold by Microsoft (age 8)
- Real-time evolution as you build your civilization into a flourishing
empire, from the Dark Age to the Imperial Age. Decide whether to conquer the
world through military might, commerce and diplomacy, or intrigue and regicide.
There are many paths to power but only one will reign supreme...
-
The Amazon Trail by The Leanring Company (age 6)
- A mysterious disease is plaguing the Incan king and his tribe. Your mission?
To find the tropical cure in the lush rain forest of the Amazon. You'll receive
help from the explorers, scientists, and natives who shaped its history
Chessmaster 8000
(4)
Learn how to master your opponent, how to find the best moves, and how to
shut out distractions. The older versions are also available, and quite good,
particularly for older PCs...
Civilization
3 Gold by 2K Games, all ages (age 8)
Civilization III offers 16 playable civilizations, and each has its own
strengths and bonuses. The game begins in the year 4000 B.C., when your
civilization is nothing more than a primitive tribe, and each turn progresses
the game forward in time. You manage growth, military production, city
development, diplomacy, and scientific research as your civilization grows from
a single village to several towns to a continent-spanning metropolitan sprawl...
ClueFinders by The Learning Company / RiverDeep, ages vary (use higher grade)Based on the award-winning television series, a cross between Dr. Brain and Myst type games
Cocoa
all ages (5) Included in Mac OS X!Cocoa is a rich set of object-oriented frameworks that
allow for the most rapid development of applications on Mac OS X. Using Cocoa,
developers can create full-featured applications in a fraction of the time they
would need for procedural languages (included with every Mac
OS X system package)
Connections by
Discovery Channel, ages (age 8)
Based on the award-winning television series, a cross between Dr. Brain and Myst type games
Crystal Key (download patch 1.1 to run on Windows XP) by
Dreamcatcher
Interactive
A great collection of games...
DK Explorer Series by DK Multimedia, ages
5-9 (age 3)
Explore the world through interactive journeys, with multimedia adventures
and interactive games...
Dr. Brain Series by Sierra, ages 12 and up (age 6)
Brain busters, mind melders and thought bogglers, in about 10 different styles from music to mazes to deep sea diving. Watch out for this one - its stolen time from both the kids and adults in our house! Requires little / no reading
| Island of Dr. Brain |
|
Lost Mind of Dr. Brain (5) |
| Time Warp of Dr. Brain
(Note: the newer Dr. Brain software titles are not as popular as these older ones.) |
Freddi Fish, Pajama Sam, Spy Fox Series, by Humongous Entertainment, ages 4-11 (age 3)
 Help Freddi, Sam
or Spy Fox find the clues and solve the case. The Kelp Seeds mystery was intensely popular until the case was solved
but subsequent games contain little variation. Later versions offer more variation
for repeat solvers. Requires little / no reading
Free Stuff for Kids
and Teachers Software
Just what it says...
Gizmos and Gadgets by The Learning Company, ages 8-14 (age 6)
Similar to The Incredible Machine, and the kids love it
The Incredible Machine: Even More Contraptions by Brodurbund, all ages (age 4)
Use
the mouse, voice, and wildest imagination to create masterpieces on the
computer. Go beyond mere virtual painting to smear, gloop, and smudge colors on
a canvas that can be smooth, rough, or lizard-skinned... and tons more.
Creativity at it's best!
I Spy by
Scholastic, ages 6 and up (age 3+ reading)More challenging and fun
than the books. From counting and vocabulary, to homonyms and more!
Kid
Pix Deluxe by Brodurbund, all ages (age 4)
Use
the mouse, voice, and wildest imagination to create masterpieces on the
computer. Go beyond mere virtual painting to smear, gloop, and smudge colors on
a canvas that can be smooth, rough, or lizard-skinned... and tons more.
Creativity at it's best!
King's
Quest by Sierra, all ages (age 6)
The best of the original role-playing games, G-rated, great story line.
Versions 1-4 are still DOS games; versions 5-7 were written for Windows 3.1 -
some capability issues...
Marble
Drop by Maxis, all ages (age 5)
Puzzle strategy game... Drop different colored marbles in each puzzle
machine and figure out how to get the right colored marbles to their
corresponding destination
Available (cheap!) in Electronic Arts Top Ten Family Fun Pack, along with
several Sim titles and Theme titles, or on eBay...
Oregon
Trail
by Learning Company, ages 7 and up (age 3)
Experience the expedition of a lifetime during the mid-1800's. Or try the
original
Oregon Trail 5th Edition...
Oz:
The Magical Adventure
by DK Multimedia, ages 5-8 (age 4)
Travel on a fabulous journey through magical Oz to save Dorothy from the
Wicked Witch of the West's evil clutches...
Pandora's Box
by Microsoft, all ages (age 6)
Elaborate, visually rich collection of puzzles, with ten puzzle types, over 350 variations...
Return of the Incredible Machine / Even More Incredible Machines by Havas
Interactive, ages 6 and up (age 6)
Hundreds of 'Rube Goldberg machines' to assemble, each one more interesting than the last. A time thief for both children and adults... Requires no reading
Roller Coaster Tycoon by Infogrames, all ages (age 7)
Puts you in total control of a theme park, managing every detail from ride
development to rescuing lost guests...
SimCity 3000 Unlimited by The Sims, ages (age 6)
Build a simulated city and help it grow and evolve
Smart
Games 3 by Hasabro Interactive, ages 10 and up (age 6)
Exercise the muscle in your head. Loaded with puzzles that bewilder,
bamboozle, and boggle the mind, the games will challenge your synaptic reflexes
Star
Trek: Armada 2 by Activision, all ages (age 7)
Players command the fleets of three different races through three separate
single-player campaigns for a total of 30 missions. Additionally, gamers can
take control of six separate races in multiplayer mode. Each has divergent
combat styles and tactical approaches...
Star Wars:
Pit Droids by LucasArts Entertainment, all ages (age 10)
Pit Droids rewards progress with comic short films of the clowning droids in
action. Eight locations offer more than 300 puzzles spanning three levels of
difficulty, and the Puzzle Editor lets you build your own devices. It's enough
to keep you interested for as long as the droids keep you scrambling
Thinkin' Things by The Learning Company, ages 7-13 (age 5)
Five different games, older version 3 includes Octopus' Trading Game, Fribbles' Fun House (logic puzzle), (gravity and marbles), Marching band, and (visual sequencing puzzle). Requires little / no reading, depending on game
Time Machine (The New Adventures of the...) by
Dreamcatcher Interactive, all ages (age 10)
An adaptation of one of the most well-read adventures in literature. Enter
the adventure inspired by the work of H.G. Wells, and explore time travel as you
face perilous situations and interesting characters. Your challenge is to
survive against the forces of time
Trans-Con! by
Knowledge Adventure, ages 7-12 (age 5)
Encounter native Americans, overcome natural disasters, and outwit a gang of
six real-life outlaws determined to sabotage the railroad! As kids immerse
themselves in this uniquely American adventure, they learn history, geography,
social studies and science...
Where In the World is Carmen Sandiego? by The Learning Company, ages 9
and up (age 5)
Get ready to travel the world, encounter exotic sights and sounds, meet
unusual people--and arrest them! Carmen Sandiego's international crime ring is
furiously filching world treasures ordinary thieves wouldn't dare tackle.
8 levels from Gumshoe to Super Sleuth
Widget Workshop, all ages (age 6)
Delightfully detailed virtual mad scientist-inventor laboratory with
zillions of parts and pieces to connect together on your screen to make
creations that are truly limited only by your imagination; available on eBay
X-Plane by
Xicat, all ages (age 9)Flight simulator with a realistic flight model. Choose
from any of the 50 aircraft or build your own with the Plane-Maker. Use
Part-Maker utility to design your own flaps, wings, and gear, and test them out
in scenery you've created using the World-Maker. Newer version
X-Plane
Purchases made through all our associates links benefit Hoagies' Gifted Education Page -
thanks!
Last updated
December 01, 2020
|
Thanks!
