Millie Meter has arrived in the land of the giants, and none of them is feeling well at all. The youngest of the mammoth beings, Bulk, will do anything to relieve his upset stomach--even if that means opening his mouth wide enough to let Millie fly inside and look for the problem. Millie Meter's Nutrition Adventure takes players on a tour through a giant-sized digestive system, stopping to study six important phases of the process, from the mouth to the large intestine. In these areas, animated characters introduce Millie to the intricacies of food breakdown. Players must also locate a hidden game in each section. Completing these activities earns Millie a piece of the Golden Pyramid, and a minilecture on nutrition and the food groups.
An enjoyable diversion for children in the 4- to 8-year-old age range, Millie Meter's Nutrition Adventure has an appealing cast of characters. Its activities are far from unique--including preschool standards such as a picture maker and a true-or-false quiz--but each activity is well designed and entertaining. Designed to deliver a great deal of information on the concept of good nutrition, the game is perhaps a bit blunt in stating the consequences of overindulging in sweets or failing to maintain good oral hygiene--more sensitive players may find this disturbing. It is also possible to play through the entire game quite quickly.
Despite these weaknesses, Millie Meter's Nutrition Adventure has much to recommend it--a quirky animation style, solid educational science, and some great songs. Players who strap into Millie's flying capsule will find the lessons of Bulk's body--and their own--to be wholesome, greatly enjoyable, and easily digestible to boot. (Ages 4 to 8) --Alyx Dellamonica
