Blaster Learning System
Blaster Learning System | |
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Genre(s) | Edutainment |
Developer(s) | Davidson & Associates JumpStart Blitz Games |
Publisher(s) | Davidson & Associates (1983–1998) JumpStart (Knowledge Adventure) (1998–2023) |
Creator(s) | Janice G. Davidson, PhD |
Platform(s) | Windows, Macintosh, Apple II, Apple II GS |
First release | Math Blaster! 1983 |
The Blaster Learning System is an educational video game series originally created and published by Davidson & Associates, but is now owned and published by JumpStart (Knowledge Adventure), after the two companies were acquired and merged by CUC Software. Titles in the series have been produced for several computer systems, video game consoles, and as standalone handheld units. Originally, the series simply learned mathematics, but eventually expanded to other subjects, such as language arts (reading) and science. Because the first Math Blaster series was so popular, Davidson made Reading Blaster in 1994, which also went on to be a hit.
Science Blaster was introduced in 1996, but never reach the same popularity as its predecessors.
On June 13, 2023, JumpStart Games announced the closure of the company and end of support for both JumpStart and Math Blaster games on June 30, 2023.[1] The company officially closed July 1, 2023 at 3am EST with servers and their website also shutting down. No reason upon the closure was given.
History
The first reboot of the Davidson fundamentals line came in 1989. The original Math Blaster was written in Applesoft Basic and the Microsoft equivalent. Under the direction of Mike Albanese, the Davidson programming team used Fig Forth to make a cross-platform development system. The product did well, and it was the first of many Forth-based products that Davidson would make.
After starting off with a huge boom and providing the base for the establishment of a very successful public corporation, the Blaster series eventually fell victim to marketing cuts. In an attempt to sell both up and down the age group added more, Blasters were designed with increasingly thin, fuzzy and overlapping target age groups. Finally, the line came under fierce attack from the Gross brothers of Knowledge Adventure (now JumpStart), led by Barton Listic. Knowledge Adventure countered with a simple grade-based sub-division with their JumpStart logo. Eventually, Knowledge Adventure and Davidson were acquired by CUC International to form CUC Software, and the company lines were merged.
In the year of 1999, coinciding with the CBS' Saturday morning cartoon Blaster's Universe animated by the Canadian studio Nelvana, the characters were once again changed, probably to be more identifiable as people, with Blasternaut becoming Max Blaster, a 12-year-old boy obsessed with science and space in the 21st century, and his assistant Galactic Commander (short for G.C.), a cool 12-year-old girl who looks like an earthling but is really an alien. Together, they have to work in secret to save G.C.'s universe by outsmarting the intergalactic bandits with logic and creativity. Spot, the robot companion was removed and replaced with a robot dog named "MEL" ("Mechanically Enhanced Lapdog").
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, when Davidson started being bought out and merged with other companies, these titles were renamed and repackaged, but the content didn't change. One example is the latest release of Math Blaster for 3rd Grade in which the box art features the brand's all-new CBS cartoon characters, while the screen grabs of the game unveils a very different Blaster character and style; "Powerful Praise" quoted on the box gave 4½ stars for the game while admitting it was "previously published as "Math Blaster Ages 6–9", but ironically that was itself previously published as "Mega Math Blaster".
Design
![]() | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (September 2021) |
The Blaster series
Math
Games | Platforms and release years |
---|---|
Math Blaster! |
|
Math Blaster Mystery[4] | Apple II, Macintosh (1989) |
Math Blaster Episode II: Secret of the Lost City | |
Math Blaster Mystery: The Great Brain Robbery | |
Alge-Blaster! |
|
Math Blaster Jr. | |
Geometry Blaster[5][6] | |
Math Blaster for Kindergarten | Windows, Macintosh (1999) |
Math Blaster for 1st Grade | |
Math Blaster for 2nd Grade |
|
Math Blaster Cross Terrain Challenge: Ages 9–12 | Windows, Macintosh (2001) |
Math Blaster: Master the Basics | Windows, Macintosh (2006) |
Math Blaster in the Prime Adventure | Nintendo DS (2008) |
Math Blaster | iOS (2013) |
Math Blaster HyperBlast | iOS (2013) |
Math Blaster HyperBlast 2 |
|
Math Blaster Space Zapper | iOS (2013) |
B-Force Blaster | iOS (2013) |
Reading
Games | Platforms and release years |
---|---|
Reading Blaster: Invasion of the Word Snatchers[8][9] | Windows, Macintosh (1994) |
Reading Blaster 2000 | |
Reading Blaster Jr. | |
Word Blaster | |
Reading Blaster: Ages 9–12 | |
Spelling Blaster | |
Reading Blaster for Kindergarten | |
Reading Blaster for 1st Grade |
Other subjects
Games | Platforms and release years |
---|---|
Science Blaster Jr. | Windows, Macintosh (1996) |
Writing Blaster: Ages 6–9 | Windows, Macintosh (1998) |
Compilations
Year | Title | Games |
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Math Blaster Anniversary |
| |
Blaster Learning System 3R's: Ages 4–6 |
| |
Blaster Learning System 3R's: Ages 6–9 |
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Blaster Learning System 3R's: Ages 9–12 |
| |
2005 | Math Blaster Game Pack: Ages 6–12 |
|
Other languages
Math:
- Swedish (titled "Matte Raketen")
- Finnish (titled "Matikkaraketti")
- Japanese (titled "算数戦士ブラスター(Sansū Senshi Burasutā)")
Reception
![]() | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (October 2017) |
II Computing listed Math Blaster second on the magazine's list of top Apple II education software as of late 1985, based on sales and market-share data.[12]
References
- ^ "Adaptive Curriculum Games for Kids - Activities & Worksheets - JumpStart". www.jumpstart.com. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
- ^ Oppenheim, Joanne and Stephanie (1993). "Computer Software/CD-ROM – Drill and Review Software: 'New Math Blaster Plus'". The Best Toys, Books & Videos for Kids. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Guide Book. Vol. 1 (1st ed.). New York: Harper Perennial. p. 275. ISBN 0-06-273196-3.
- ^ "✳️Works VTG 1980s Coleco Lil Genius Kids Calculator Math Toy Electronic Game".
- ^ "Compute! Specific: Apple II". Retrieved December 16, 2016.
- ^ "GEOMETRY BLASTER". School Library Journal. 43 (8). August 1997. ISSN 0362-8930.
- ^ "Davidson's next step in math education: Geometry...". Curriculum Administrator. 31 (7). March 1997. ISSN 1082-5495.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ "ST Report: Newswire / Tech News / Sun Ripens Java / Jaguar Dazzles Developers / Wired World: The Big Idea / A.T.A.C. & Wargods!". Atari Explorer Online.
- ^ Willis, Jerry (July 28, 1996). "Technology, reading, and language arts". Boston : Allyn and Bacon – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "Nintendo Wii Nerf Switch Shot EX-3 Blaster Attachment Only".
- ^ [2][dead link]
- ^ Ciraolo, Michael (Oct–Nov 1985). "Top Software / A List of Favorites". II Computing. p. 51. Retrieved 28 January 2015.