CD-ROM Roundup is a regular KidScreen feature that profiles CD-ROMs aimed at children anywhere from preschool to late teen that will be hitting retail stores in the coming months. By Andrea Haman (416-408-2300 (phone), 416-408-0870 (fax) or haman@brunico.com)

Name:

Publisher & Developer:

Release Date & Markets:

Storyline:

Platforms:

Target Audience:

Promotion:

Partial List of Retail Outlets & Estimated Street Price (US$):

– Name: Mario Teaches Typing 2

Publisher & Developer: Brainstorm, Irvine, California

Release Date & Markets: late March, U.S. and other markets worldwide

Storyline: Mario, Luigi and the Princess, all of video game fame, star in this edutainment title with four levels, from beginner to expert. New features in this follow-up release include fresh interactive screens and movies, a color-coded Magical Keyboard and a guide book of typing tips.

Platforms: Windows 95, Windows 3.1, Macintosh

Target Audience: 6-plus

Promotion: -introductory offer at retail outlets of US$20 rebate off the product with the purchase of Drawing Discoveries or Chess Mates from Brainstorm; -Mario Teaches Typing 2 will appear in advertising for the Brainstorm family of products

Partial List of Retail Outlets: Best Buy, CompUSA, Babbage’s

Estimated Street Price (US$): $29.95

– Name: The Mystery of the Missing Princess

Publisher & Developer: OmniMedia, Ph’enix, Arizona

Release Date & Markets: April, U.S., France, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, U.K., Italy, Pan-Asia

Storyline: In their quest to rescue the missing Princess Abigail, players search for clues by completing activities such as mind teasers, audio puzzles, construction games and question-and-answer challenges.

Platforms: Windows 95

Target Audience: 6 to 11

Promotion: -print advertising -public relations

Partial List of Retail Outlets: Babbage’s, Best Buy, CompUSA, Computer City, Egghead Software, Nobody Beats the Wiz, Software Etc.

Estimated Street Price (US$): $49.95