Tonka Space Station

The game's primary goal is to build a functioning station, one that balances the needs of its residents with other important considerations like safety, productivity, and research. To this end, players build modules--sporting arenas, habitats, communication hubs, defense grids, and harvest areas--on the platforms available in the station. To build a module, you're given a specialized Tonka vehicle and an arcade-style mission. To construct a harvest module, for example, players drive a bio-harvester through an obstacle course of hostile alien plant life, snatching edible berries from the jaws--er, pods--of the carnivorous vegetation.

Tonka Space Station has some stunning anti-gravity effects, and the machinery and settings of the space-station activities are satisfyingly realistic. The need to stay on top of safety, industrial output, and the happiness of the station's people provides an engaging framework for the main focus of the game: the arcade games and the Tonka vehicles these activities employ.

In this sense, Tonka Space Station is slightly disappointing. The variation between the vehicles is not nearly as wide as it could be, and players accustomed to real-world Tonka products may yearn for more options than steering, shooting, and avoiding danger. None of the vehicles, in other words, does anything as amazingly cool as what even the simplest front-loader or backhoe can do. If you can get past that, however, this game is perfect for players who are interested in space sciences and enjoy simpler arcade-style activities. (Ages 5 and up) --Alyx Dellamonica

Amazon.com Product Description
Tonka Space Station allows kids to create, maintain, and protect a variety of space stations. Tonka Joe is a constant helpful presence as kids try to make their space stations efficient, protect them from meteorite attacks, and keep space station residents happy. The range of activities includes harvesting space berries, making repairs, testing the high-speed racecourse, and rescuing equipment from collapsing caves. These and other tasks are done with the help of nine Tonka space vehicles, such as the Arachnarover, the Terra Racer, and the Tonkonium Extraction Vehicle. This game offers the choice of both arcade-style and simulation modes.

The controls are keyboard-oriented, which makes it more difficult for a child to master. He is used to mouse-oriented controls (contained in the older Tonka titles). My six year old has a hard time remembering which key does what function. Even after playing if a few times, he doesn't enjoy it much.

Also, the game simply isn't as fun. The latter titles offered more interaction...more diverse play scenarios. This title lacks the "oomph!" that carried the other games.

If you're a first-time Tonka buyer, I'd reccommend either the Tonka Construction set or the Search and Rescue program. Oh, and be sure to check the system requirements before you buy!