For Kids Who Belong in a Zoo

What kid doesn’t like the zoo? Let ‘em loose and they can safely roam through Davidson’s engaging “Zoo Keeper.”

Players can just wander through Zoo World and learn about the animals or they can clean up after the bad guys and climb the corporate zoo ladder. With a lot of hard work, they can eventually achieve the dream of becoming the Head Zoo Keeper--but not before becoming a Cage Cleaner, a Quill Counter and a Gorilla Groomer, among other lofty positions.

Nobody wants only to sit in front of a computer terminal and read dry facts about anything. The gamemakers have put together a short series of tasks that involve chasing and cleaning up after a group of Troublemakers. You chase them around the zoo, trying to stop them from upsetting the animals and making a mess of your zoo. There is a troop of friends who help out with clues and information about the habits and habitats of all the animals you encounter. At the end of each round of the game, you are rewarded with a special certificate of achievement (with a new job title) and the satisfaction of releasing a wild animal into its natural habitat.

The subject matter is nicely presented in a mix of cartoon, photography and sound effects to give young and old players alike an up-close presentation of a wide variety of animals. Although the game purports to be for 6- to 11-year-olds, only the older kids are likely to have the reading skills required to get the most of the educational aspects of the game.

With a little bit of help, however, even the younger ones may enjoy poking around their private zoo.

The manual includes various suggested readings and activities to help parents reinforce the game’s lessons.

Zoo Keeper

Rating: * * *

IBM and compatibles; DOS 3.3 or higher; VGA required. List: $59.95.

Computer games are rated on a five-star system, from one star for poor to five for excellent.