Science Reviews

For those who are looking for an entertaining experience on a par with the last two Toy Story movies, Buzz Lightyear of Star Command might not be the best pickup. Not only is this title simplistic, but also it lacks the control and graphics that are necessary to forgive such gameplay shortcomings. It's a sluggish and redundant use of a popular license.

The object of the game is for players to run through levels, as they try to catch up with bosses, whom they must fight to advance. Power-ups, such as rockets and hoverboards, are plentiful, but defeating enemies takes far too many shots, and trying to control Buzz feels a lot like trying to steer a bus. In other words, Buzz feels a lot heavier than he ought to, even in that oversize space suit.

The graphics in this game are clean, but they repeat often, and the overhead view almost made us forget whom we were struggling to control. This one is only for those who couldn't get enough of the PlayStation version, and need a copy for the road. --Robb Guido

Pros:

• It's Buzz Lightyear

Cons:

• Average graphics and difficult control

Dino GloBonz present paleontology with a truly modern twist. Using 35 glow-in-the-dark (anatomically incorrect) plastic bones, eyes (that even move), and rotating interconnecting joint links, kids can create their own prehistoric creatures that literally jump out in the dark. These rib-tickling fossils are conveniently housed in a large cylindrical tub for easy storage. --Deb Oroszlan

Rampage 2: Universal Tour has smashed, trashed, and crashed its way onto the popular PlayStation system. As fans of the original coin-op classic already know, you assume the role of one of three monsters with an insatiable desire to crush various cities into oblivion. You can choose between the rambunctious rhino Boris, the larger-than-life lobster Ruby, or the charismatic rat Curtis. Each character has special moves that you can unleash upon the unsuspecting cities. After you make your selection, you can then proceed to eat helpless victims, smash tanks, and destroy solid buildings.

Causing mass mayhem and destruction is not your only purpose in this game. You must also rescue your fellow monsters in crime--George, Lizzie, and Ralph (which many die-hard fans of the Rampage series will recognize from the original coin-op). To save your friends, you must first defeat the ever-approaching military and law enforcement officials that aim to protect each city. Being bad has never felt so good. --Michael Byer

Pros:

• Classic gameplay from the original Rampage remains intact
• Several new environments, including Seattle and the infamous "Area 51"

Cons:

• Horrible guitar-driven soundtrack

Popularized by its frightening appearances in the Jurassic Park films, the Velociraptor was one of the most aggressive predators that roamed the earth 140 million years ago. You can create a scale replica of this prehistoric carnivore's skeleton by assembling the 62 pieces is this 3-D wooden puzzle kit. The interlocking pieces in this kit are made from premium Baltic birch and require no glue or hardware to assemble. Requiring patience and careful attention to detail, the puzzle kit is an excellent exercise in spatial reasoning and shape recognition. Although younger children may require the assistance of an adult to assemble the kit, the rewards are great as you watch a pile of scattered bones being transformed into an impressive model of a Velociraptor skeleton. Although a wooden rock hammer and sandpaper have been included to aid in the assembly process, you may pick up a few splinters while putting this kit together if you're not careful. Once the puzzle is assembled, you can leave it standing as a display piece, or disassemble it for future use. An educational dinosaur booklet and scientific fact file have been included, along with assembly instructions and an excavation site map. The assembled puzzle measures 42 inches tall by 69 inches long. --Chris Burns

This little device (small enough for a shirt pocket) is a bright idea for teaching constellation roaming to the younger enrollees at Star Fleet Academy. Flip open the lid on any starry night, find north with the built-in compass, and insert a card for any of 20 major constellations from Andromeda to Virgo. A light (in night-vision-friendly red) illuminates the card, which maps the constellation, tells you in which months it's visible, and explains how to find it relative to the polestar. Major stars and nebulae are named. Suitable for all latitudes between 20 and 60 degrees north. The flip-open design, so reminiscent of a Star Trek communicator, can't be accidental: beam us up. --Richard Farr