Sesame Street: 1-2-3
System: NES
Release Date: January 1989
Developer: Zippo Games/Rare
Publisher: High Tech Expressions
Genre: Edutainment
Sesame Street: 1-2-3 was an edutainment game that I had when I was small. I remember spending lots of time matching shapes and colors, as well as doing some addition and subtraction in my spare time from saving the Mushroom Kingdom, Hyrule, or taking down Mike Tyson. You get to choose either shape and color recognition with Ernie’s Magic Shapes or addition and subtraction fun with Astro-Grover.
If you choose Ernie, you then get to choose your task and difficulty level. The task may be to match the correct shape without considering color, match the correct shape and color, or build a whole picture. You scroll through possible choices and make a decision. If you’re right, the shape is magically whizzed to its spot and Ernie’s bunny companion cheers you on. If you’re wrong, the bunny chastises you for your foolishness. Do enough in a row and you win the level.
If you choose Grover, you get to choose from counting, addition, and subtraction practice. You’re either taken to a small neighborhood, where you have to complete your chosen task to bring the houses and outbuildings back. Or you go to a laboratory where Grover is working on rocket technology or something. If you get the problem wrong, the moon gets a sad look on its face as he shakes back and forth. If you get the problem right, it looks pleased with you.
Graphics: 2.5
I can’t crap on the graphics. Sure, the animations are lacking, but the characters are big and detailed.
Sound: 1.5
The sound is acceptable and borderline decent.
Gameplay: 1.0
The gameplay is scrolling menus. I’m probably rating it too high.
Difficulty: 0.0
I’m an adult in my 30s. I have no difficulty with this game. When I was a five year old child, I had no difficulty with this game.
Fun Factor: 0.0
It’s an edutainment game for preschoolers, what do you think it’s going to get?
Overall Grade: 1.0
Sesame Street: 1-2-3 earns a D. It’s a fine game for preschoolers. That’s the best I can say about it.