Green Phoenix - Reader Rabbit: 2nd Grade Retrospective

 

At the start of the year, I did a short retrospective on the Reader Rabbit: 1st Grade with the full understanding that I would continue the retrospective by looking at Reader Rabbit: 2nd Grade next. All of this has been part of a unofficial series of educational game retrospectives that I've been doing to reflect upon the computer games that had the most impact on me as a child.

As much as I liked Reader Rabbit: 1st Grade, I must make something of a confession. I never actually owned Reader Rabbit: 1st Grade, as the game I played was actually my sister's copy. I was a year older than her and thus didn't get 1st Grade from my school, but rather Reader Rabbit: 2nd Grade. As such, I had a much more personal connection to this game and the previous entry.

But is it better? Does it still hold up? What is it about this game that so tickles my nostalgia? In this short retrospective, I will seek to explain what I remember about playing this game, what I liked about, and what I still think works so very well. Like most educational games, its actually effectiveness might still hold up (though the technical qualifications for any modern system to play it is probably moot). So let's take a look at Reader Rabbit: 2nd Grade and wrap up my educational computer game series.

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Power Rangers Dino Force Brave King 10: Farewell! Brave Dino Gold - Summary/Review

 

We are nearing the end of this mini season with only 3 episodes to go. Judging from the title, it does not take a genius to guess what is coming in this episode. So, buckle up, get your tissues ready, click "read more" and let's dive right into this.

Cameron's Playhouse Season 8 - The Newest (And Best?) Season

 

A Noir Review of the Astrohaus Freewrite

 I arrived home after a long day's work. It was an unseasonably cold day for what was supposed to be the beginning of spring. When I stepped through the door, I was greeted by my prize--a large box from a shipment I had from UPS.

Weird Al Yankovic Proves You Don't Need A Big Setup For A Great Time

Green Phoenix - Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin Review

 

Growing up, I was a massive fan of the Winnie the Pooh franchise due to the indelible impact the entire franchise had on my early childhood. Not only the 1977 classic The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and The Tigger Movie (which I believe I have covered previously and if not, will definitely correct that), but also the wonderfully charming New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh TV show that aired on the Disney Channel originally from 1988 until 1991 (though it ran in syndication on various Disney channel properties until 2007). It all coalesced to form a strong nostalgic feeling whenever I watch anything associated with the lovable stuffed bear.

The Winnie the Pooh franchise was always notable in my book for its relaxed charm and surprisingly mature wit. While the franchise was undeniably accessible to children, as an adult I often found myself surprisingly engaged, especially with the original 1977 film.

With the recent release of a certain horror adaptation to this beloved franchise which has been universally panned and for which I will never willingly subject myself too, I felt it far better to focus my attention on another aspect of the franchise. One often underrated or rarely discussed, the direct to video sequels.

Now for most films, direct to video sequels have a not-undeserved reputation for low quality. But does the first direct to video Winnie the Pooh film, 1997's Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin fall into this same trap?

Let's find out.

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Ghost Ranger - Gaming on a Budget/Growing up as a Gamer

 

This is a topic I have been going over in my head for quite awhile that does not need much explaining. Much like the metaphor for life, playing video games is something we all have to do on a budget whether that is a budget of money, time, or energy/interest. Now, my only question is, what does it mean to you and how does that change? I will also take this change to tell my history of gaming. Click "read more" and let's go over it.