Dinosaur Hunter is part of the Eyewitness "Virtual Reality" series produced and distributed by DK Multimedia. DK Multimedia is part of the Dorling Kindersley family.
The PC version which was reviewed consists of a CD ROM and requires a multimedia PC, with 486DX/33MHz or higher microprocessor, 8Mb RAM, double-speed CD-ROM drive and 8-bit sound card, mouse, SVGA 640 x 480 256 color display, loudspeakers or headphones, and Microsoft Windows version 3.1x or Windows 95.
I installed Dinosaur Hunter on a 486/66 MHz PC running Microsoft Windows 3.1 with a 8x CD ROM and 16Mb of memory. My system has a 16 bit soundblaster.
Top of PageDinosaur Hunter takes you through a dinosaur museum where you have several options to explore. Entering the Dinosaur Excavation Site allows you to hunt for dinosaur fossils and attempt to complete a skeleton.
The museum itself is full of displays. Each display tells you something about the dinosaur there. The scientific name of the dinosaur is pronounced, and you can read a full-length article about the dinosaur, or look at "fast facts."
You can also explore the Dinosaur Timeline and visit the Museum Store.
Top of PageDinosaur Hunter is accompanied only by brief instructions printed on the case. These instructions do provide all the information that is needed to get started.
Top of PageThe publisher provides no information as to the intended audience for Dinosaur Hunter. Navigating through the program takes some sophisticated skills. I recommend Dinosaur Hunter for children age 10 and older.
Dinosaur Hunter combines the features of interactive games with educational software. You must navigate through the museum and find the various rooms in order to play the games provided there, or view the dinosaur fossils and other displays, much like in an interactive game.
Dinosaur Hunter is also packed with facts and information about dinosaurs, presented in an entertaining way. As a supplement to units about dinosaurs and prehistoric life, Dinosaur Hunter would be welcome in the classroom.
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Graphics are of mixed quality due to the fact that in many areas of the "museum" it is very dark. Dinosaurs are not always displayed so that their features can be easily seen. Many of the dinosaurs are up against walls or emerging from dark caves.
A bonus feature of Dinosaur Hunter is the option to visit Dino Online, a private Internet site with more dinosaur features. You are provided with a login name and password with purchase.
Top of PageDinosaur Hunter has a good interface which is clear and consistent. Navigation is fairly easy. I got a little bored with how long it took to move around in the museum and get to the "fun" areas.
Top of PageDinosaur Hunter is a good combination of education and entertainment. Multimedia features enhance the tried and true Eyewitness formula, with sound and motion contributing to understanding and enjoyment. I recommend Dinosaur Hunter for its education al value, despite the disappointing graphics.
Top of PageDorling Kindersley features Dinosaur Hunter on its webpage. CD-ROM Access rate Dinosaur Hunter and provides a summary and review. Educate Online offers reviews by children. Bookpage has a lengthy review of Dinosaur Hunter.
Dinosaur Hunter was reviewed by Cathy Ormsby ormsby@stic.net, a student at the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at the University of Texas at Austin. I was formerly a Youth Services Librarian II with the Loveland Public Library in Loveland, Colorado (1990-1996). I hold a Master's Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Colorado (1990) and will earn my MLIS from the University of Texas this May (1997).
Dinosaur Hunter was reviewed on March 11, 1997.
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