Finding Nemo: Nemo's Underwater World of Fun

In Nemo's Underwater World of Fun, players have six mini-games to choose from, along with a section where kids can make music by clicking on members of the Tank Gang (Bubbles, Jacques, and the rest). In a section that resembles an ocean-bound Frogger, Nemo must swim with the turtles, avoiding obstacles and collecting items. Other activities include a shark-run shell game and a very difficult Pong-like segment called "Feeding Frenzy," where Nemo has to bounce kelp balls off obstacles and walls to reach Bruce's mouth.

Both Nemo games have two big drawbacks. First, computer owners with less than state-of-the-art machines will experience stutter and delay when the movie segments appear (which will disappoint kids, so be sure to check the system requirements carefully). Also, each game only offers about one hour of original gameplay (kids who repeat sections will, obviously, play longer).

Of the two games, Nemo's Underwater World of Fun is the weaker, mainly because it doesn't follow the ups and downs of the plot that made the movie so enjoyable. The age requisite, too, seems arbitrary: neither game teaches any particular educational skills (other than pattern matching and hand-eye coordination). For anyone over five, the other game, called simply Finding Nemo is a better choice. But both are loaded with the movie's charms, including an appearance by our favorite character, the sea turtle named Crush. Does everybody have their exit buddy? Okay, dude, you're ready to play.--Jennifer Buckendorff

Amazon.com Product Description
With the Disney/Pixar motion picture Finding Nemo, The Academy Award-winning creators of Toy Story, A Bug's Life, and Monsters, Inc. take the art and technology of computer animation to a whole new level in a stunning underwater adventure with memorable characters, humor, and heartfelt emotion.

Finding Nemo: Nemo's Underwater Challenge, is brimming with mini-games and puzzle challenges involving the Finding Nemo film's central characters, Nemo, Marlin, and Dory. Each game is geared to entertain, challenge, and inspire kids to exercise their creative and critical thinking skills. The games include puzzles designed to cultivate exploration, cooperation, and problem solving. Following the movie's message, Nemo's Underwater Challenge will help teach courage, perseverance, trust, and the value of coming to the aid of one another.

The software is compatible with both PC and Macintosh computers.