Review: Imagination Games Frogger DVD Game

Written on Jul 6, 2009 by Brian and filed under Reviews

Imagination games has a somewhat different take on affordable interactive gaming. While many offer battery powered TV Games that connect to the TV, Imagination has a series of DVD-based games that come with floor mats. In this case, kids follow on-screen instructions from Frogger to see who can hop to the end of the mat the fastest.

Setup for Frogger couldn’t be much simpler, though younger kids will probably need help powering up the DVD player. Otherwise, there’s just one more part, a large game mat that unfolds. The general idea is that kids get instructions from Frogger to jump on the mat with the goal of getting from one end to another. The game is designed for 4 an over, but younger kids with guidance can also have fun.

There are three game modes that range from basic fun to more competitive play. In warm up, kids follow Frogger’s instructions and hop around in silly ways, like one foot, backwards and the like. There aren’t winners, the game runs for a period of time. The easy game has kids progress across the mat, but makes sure everyone gets to the end. The hard game is more competitive and ends when a player gets to the end and presses the OK or Enter button on their DVD player to signal the end of the game.

The kids who we played this with had a good deal of fun and generally preferred the hard game, though even older kids liked the warm up since it can be pretty silly. Up to four kids can play at the same time, but it can get a bit crowded on the mat, especially if adults get involved too.

While we wouldn’t really call it an active game, kids are up about and hopping, which is certainly better then loafing on the couch, so there’s at least some health benefit. The warm up is actually the most active part of the game and one that all ages can have fun with.

If we can find much to complain about, it’s that the classic Frogger graphics aren’t there. Of course kids will have no idea, but the cars, turtles and other game graphics are building block shaped, not like the arcade games we played at the greasy pizza joints of our childhood.

But there’s still a lot to like. The game is easily portable, works well on any TV and has an MSRP of only $25, though Amazon has it now for much less. There’s certainly enough entertainment here to justify the price and both kids and parents had fun in our tests. With little down side we feel good recommending this game.

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