Blaze and the Monster Machines is one of my son’s favorite shows. So, when we were asked to review a new app for Blaze and the Monster Machines we were very excited to try it. We received a download code so that we could play with and review the app. Opinions are 100% my own.
The game is essentially a simple driving game but reinforces the concepts of acceleration, adhesion, force and friction. We’ve watched all of the episodes of the show so far and many times over, I might add. There are some good concepts being taught here and seeing them in the game as well is a good supplement to the curriculum of the show. Andrew picked up the game quickly. He played through many of the tracks and then he started to create his own tracks. He refused to let me help him build any of the tracks so they were all pretty much “L’s” He’s drag his finger downward and then across. Then he’d stick on the different hazards and power ups. I may try and make him a few tracks next time before I give him the iPad.
The game has nice graphics, the voices of the characters and a lot of the fun that makes Blaze a good show. There are some more details below.
NICKELODEON LAUNCHES FIRST BLAZE AND THE MONSTER MACHINES APP, INSPIRED BY THE HIT STEM PRESCHOOL SERIES
Nickelodeon introduces the first Blaze and the Monster Machines app, inspired by the net’s hit preschool series supercharged with a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) curriculum. Available now, the app introduces preschoolers to STEM concepts as they race along preset courses or build their own tracks.
The app features two modes—Race and Build—which encourage children to apply critical thinking skills and explore scientific principles including acceleration, adhesion, force, friction and more. In Race mode, users help monster truck Blaze and his driver AJ compete against the other monster trucks while using problem solving skills to navigate obstacles along the way. In Build mode, kids will construct a race track and help Blaze advance with speed boosts or slow his opponents down with objects like sticky bubble gum.
Features:
- Three locations: The Badlands, The Snowy Slopes and The Monster Dome
- Environmental obstacles like an ice patch in The Snowy Slopes and Crusher-based contraptions like a pineapple blaster
- Power ups like tire chains to avoid slippery spots, soapy tires to fly through sticky patches, and hubcaps to fill the “Let’s Blaze” acceleration meter
- Experiment with up to 15 STEM-related items like magnets and acceleration boost pads
- Two different driving controls – tilt and swipe
- 15 levels that progress in difficulty
- Gold, silver or bronze medals awarded to each race
- Trace a unique path for each race course
- Create and edit tracks along the way
- Save up to 12 courses in each location
The Blaze and the Monster Machines app is the latest offering of Nickelodeon’s curriculum-driven preschool apps. Nick has launched more than 20 preschool apps including the newly released Nick Jr. App and other top-performing titles like PAW Patrol Rescue Run (problem-solving and social skills), Wallykazam! Letter and Word Magic (literacy), Bubble Guppies Animal School Day (science), and the award-winning Nick Jr. Draw and Play (creativity and imagination).
About Blaze and the Monster Machines
In Blaze and the Monster Machines, the amazing monster truck Blaze and his eight-year-old driver AJ have adventures that explore the physics of how things move; tackle problems through scientific inquiry and mathematics; and discover the parts needed to make everyday technologies work. Each action-packed episode is filled with monster trucks, physical humor and upbeat original songs with lyrics that highlight a STEM concept such as adhesion, friction, force, trajectory and magnetism. The series, created by Jeff Borkin (Team Umizoomi head writer) and Ellen Martin (Bubble Guppies supervising producer), airs weekdays at 10:30 a.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon.