Pajama Sam Don't Fear the Dark
Ages: 7 - 9 and grownups

This is, without a doubt, one of the best kid games ever. It is my benchmark of what a game should be. It has been re-issued by Humongous along with three other memorable games; Freddi Fish – Kelp Seed Mystery, Putt–Putt Saves the Day, Spy Fox in Dry Cereal. Here is my original review when it first came out – 10 years ago:

It starts out with Sam determined to go to sleep with his lights out, but to do this he must first confront Darkness. His journey starts in his closet where he believes Darkness is hiding. Once he enters his closet, he tumbles down into the Land of Darkness.

Sam comes armed with his flashlight, his mask and his Lunch Box Containment Unit for capturing Darkness. These items of course, are confiscated by treelike custom inspectors and Pajama Sam must find them before he can approach Darkness.

For parents playing with children, there are a few clever asides that they will appreciate. The commands for saving, loading and pausing the game do not appear on the screen but are entered by keying in s, or l or spacebar - a little strange for a game rated for kids 3-8. But maybe there are other grownups playing the game besides me.

Educational value? Memory training - making connections between statements made in one part of the game with objects that can be used to solve a related problem (maybe this really is a game for seniors); and casual scientific concepts. Fun factor? Plenty, and lots of replay value too.

Fun Factor: Our all time favorite.
Female Factor: How about a PJ Sandra?

Re-Reviewed by: Editor - 11/07