Editing Blaster Learning System

{{short description|Educational video game franchise}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2020}} 
{{Infobox video game series
|title = Blaster Learning System
|image = [[File:Blaster_Learning_System_logo.gif]]
|caption = 
|developer = [[Davidson & Associates]] <br /> [[JumpStart]] <br /> [[Blitz Games]]
|publisher = Davidson & Associates (1983–1998) <br /> [[JumpStart Games]] (Knowledge Adventure) (1998–2023)
|genre = [[Edutainment]]
|platforms = [[Windows]], [[Mac (computer)|Mac]], [[Apple II]], [[Apple IIGS]]
|creator = Janice G. Davidson, PhD
|first release version = ''[[Math Blaster!]]''
|first release date = 1983
|latest release version =
|latest release date =
}}

The '''''Blaster Learning System''''' is an [[educational video game]] series created by [[Davidson & Associates]] and later published by [[JumpStart Games|JumpStart]] (formerly Knowledge Adventure) after the two companies were acquired and merged by [[CUC Software]]. The games primarily focused on mathematics, later expanding into [[language arts]] and science, and spawned an animated children's television series in 1999 called ''[[Blaster's Universe]]''.

Starting in 2011, development of the series focused on an online version of ''Math Blaster'' played through a browser or mobile app rather than standalone game software.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cool Math Games for Kids - Online Math Games – Math Blaster |url=http://www.mathblaster.com/Default.aspx |access-date=31 March 2024 |date=30 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930045237/http://www.mathblaster.com/Default.aspx |archive-date=2011-09-30}}</ref> JumpStart Games ended the support for ''Math Blaster'' and was closed in July 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Adaptive Curriculum Games for Kids - Activities & Worksheets - JumpStart |url=https://www.jumpstart.com/ |access-date=2023-06-15 |website=www.jumpstart.com}}</ref>

== History ==
=== Davidson ===
[[File:Math_Blaster_character_evolution.jpg|thumb|Design of series protagonist Blasternaut from 1987 to 1999]]

The series began with the 1983 title ''[[Math Blaster!]]'' released for the [[Apple II]] and [[Atari 8-bit computers]]. The initial game was ported to other platforms and received gradual improvements to graphics and sound, with "Plus" added to the title in 1987 and "New" in 1990. The initial release was a collection of four unrelated activities with a space theme, with later versions connecting the activities with a simple narrative and introducing the character Blasternaut.

Spin-offs intended for older children included ''Alge-Blaster!'' in 1985 and ''[[Math Blaster Mystery]]'' in 1989. These titles, along with their 1990s remakes and sequels, would not follow the Blasternaut character but would still be marketed by Davidson as part of the Blaster series.

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 [[Forth (programming language)|Fig Forth]] to make a cross-platform development system; it was the first of many Forth-based products that Davidson would make.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

The 1993 release ''[[Math Blaster Episode I: In Search of Spot]]'' was the first in the series to feature a storyline told through animated cutscenes and voice acting. The version of Blasternaut seen in this game, as well as his robot companion Spot and supervisor Galactic Commander (GC), would become recurring characters seen in the 1994 sequels ''Reading Blaster: Invasion of the Word Snatchers'' and ''[[Math Blaster Episode II: Secret of the Lost City]]''.

A redesign of the characters was introduced in the 1996 title ''Mega Math Blaster'' (later rebranded ''Math Blaster: Ages 6–9''), which served as a remake of the activities from Episode I with a new storyline, although references to the previous games in the series implied a shared continuity. This redesign would carry over into ''[[Reading Blaster 2000]]'' (also rebranded ''Reading Blaster: Ages 6–9''), the Episode II remake ''Math Blaster: Ages 9–12'', and three "Junior" prequels for children ages 4-6 focused on math, reading, and science.

=== Knowledge Adventure  ===
[[File:MathBlaster.png|thumb|Logo for ''Math Blaster'' games released from 2006 onward]]
The characters were redesigned again in 1999, coinciding with the [[CBS]] Saturday morning cartoon ''[[Blaster's Universe]]'' animated by the Canadian studio [[Nelvana]]. The Blasternaut and GC characters were altered to be 12-year-old earthlings and Spot was replaced with a robot dog named MEL ("Mechanically Enhanced Lapdog"). The changes also coincided with Knowledge Adventure's rebranding of the full series and switch to identifying games by grade levels instead of age ranges. This would be the last time games in the ''Reading Blaster'' sub-series were released.

''Math Blaster: Master the Basics'' was released in 2006, featuring another redesign of the Blasternaut character, comic book styled cutscenes, and 3D graphics in-game. This version of the character would also appear in the 2008 [[Nintendo DS]] title ''Math Blaster in the Prime Adventure''.

Starting in 2011, development of the series focused on an online version of ''Math Blaster'' played through a browser or mobile app rather than standalone game software.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cool Math Games for Kids - Online Math Games – Math Blaster |url=http://www.mathblaster.com/Default.aspx |access-date=31 March 2024 |date=30 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930045237/http://www.mathblaster.com/Default.aspx |archive-date=2011-09-30}}</ref> JumpStart Games ended support for ''Math Blaster'' and was closed in July 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Adaptive Curriculum Games for Kids - Activities & Worksheets - JumpStart |url=https://www.jumpstart.com/ |access-date=2023-06-15 |website=www.jumpstart.com}}</ref>

==''The Blaster'' series==
===Math===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Games
!Platforms and release years
|-
|''[[Math Blaster!]]''
|[[Apple II]], [[Atari 8-bit]] (1983)<br>[[Commodore 64]], [[MS-DOS]] (1985)
{{smalldiv|
* Re-released as '''''Math Blaster Plus!'''''
** Apple II, MS-DOS (1987)
** [[Apple IIGS]] (1989)
** [[Amiga]] (1990)
* Re-released as '''''New Math Blaster Plus!'''''<ref>{{cite book |last=Oppenheim |first=Joanne and Stephanie |author-link= Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award |title = The Best Toys, Books & Videos for Kids |publisher = [[Harper Perennial]] |series = [[Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award|Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Guide Book]] |volume = 1 |edition = 1st |location = New York |date = 1993 |section= Computer Software/CD-ROM – Drill and Review Software: 'New Math Blaster Plus' |page = 275 |isbn = 0-06-273196-3}}</ref>
** [[DOS]], [[Windows]] (1990)}}
|-
|''Alge-Blaster!''
|Apple II, Commodore 64 (1985)
{{smalldiv|
* Re-released as '''''Alge-Blaster Plus!'''''
** Apple II, MS-DOS (1989)
** [[Macintosh]] (1990)}}
|-
|''[[Math Blaster Mystery]]''<ref>{{cite web | title=Compute! Specific: Apple II | url=http://www.atarimagazines.com/compute/issue117/p16_specific3_APPLE_II.php | publisher= | date= | access-date=December 16, 2016}}</ref>
|Apple II, Macintosh (1989)
|-
|''[[Math Blaster Episode I: In Search of Spot]]''
|MS-DOS (1993)<br>[[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]], [[Sega Genesis|Genesis]] (1994)<br>Windows (1995)
|-
|''[[Math Blaster Episode II: Secret of the Lost City]]''
|Macintosh (1994)<br>Windows (1995)
|-
|''[[Math Blaster Mystery: The Great Brain Robbery]]''
|Windows (1994)<br>Macintosh (1996)
{{smalldiv|
* Re-released as '''''Math Blaster: Pre-Algebra'''''
** Windows, Macintosh (1998)
* Re-released as '''''Math Blaster for 5th Grade'''''
** Windows, Macintosh (1999)}}
|-
|''Alge-Blaster 3''
|Windows (1994)<br>Macintosh (1995)
{{smalldiv|
* Re-released as '''''Math Blaster: Algebra'''''
** Windows, Macintosh (1998)}}
|-
|''Mega Math Blaster''
|Windows, Macintosh (1996)
{{smalldiv|
* Re-released as '''''Math Blaster: Ages 6–9'''''
** Windows, Macintosh (1998)
* Re-released as '''''Math Blaster for 3rd Grade'''''
** Windows, Macintosh (1999)
* Re-released as '''''Math Blaster: Math Attack'''''
** [[Handheld electronic game|Handheld LCD]] (1999)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Math-Blaster-3rd-Grade-Handheld-Electronic-Video-Game-Ages-7-9-Math-Attack-NEW-/222536781195?hash=item33d039cd8b:g:i38AAOSwhlZYvMLu|title = Works VTG 1980s Coleco Lil Genius Kids Calculator Math Toy Electronic Game}}</ref>}}
|-
|''[[Math Blaster Jr.]]''
|Windows, Macintosh (1996)
{{smalldiv|
* Re-released as '''''Math Blaster: Ages 4–6'''''
** Windows, Macintosh (1998)}}
|-
|''Geometry Blaster''<ref>{{cite journal |date=August 1997 |title=GEOMETRY BLASTER |journal=[[School Library Journal]] |volume=43 |issue=8 |issn=0362-8930}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |date=March 1997 |title=Davidson's next step in math education: Geometry... |journal=Curriculum Administrator |volume=31 |issue=7 |issn=1082-5495}}</ref>
|Windows, Macintosh (1996)
{{smalldiv|
* Re-released as '''''Math Blaster: Geometry'''''
** Windows, Macintosh (1998)}}
|-
|''Math Blaster: Ages 9–12''
|Windows, Macintosh (1997)
{{smalldiv|
* Re-released as '''''Math Blaster for 4th Grade'''''
** Windows, Macintosh (1999)}}
|-
|''Math Blaster for Kindergarten''
|Windows, Macintosh (1999)
{{smalldiv|
* Re-released as '''''Math Blaster Mission 1: Cosmic Critter Challenge'''''
** Windows, Macintosh (2000)}}
|-
|''[[Math Blaster for 1st Grade]]''
|Windows, Macintosh (1999)
{{smalldiv|
* Re-released as '''''Math Blaster Mission 2: Race for the Omega Trophy'''''
** Windows, Macintosh (2000)}}
|-
|''Math Blaster for 2nd Grade''
|Windows, Macintosh (1999)
{{smalldiv|
* Re-released as '''''Math Blaster: Math Madness'''''
** Handheld LCD (1999)<ref>[http://www.ebay.com/itm/Math-Blaster-Video-Game-1999-Handheld-LCD-Brand-New-In-Package-Works-/122534479661]{{dead link|date=August 2022}}</ref>
* Re-released as '''''Math Blaster Mission 3: Space Defenders'''''
** Windows, Macintosh (2000)}}
|-
|''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''
|iOS (2013)
{{smalldiv|
* Re-released as '''''Math Blaster HyperBlast 2 HD'''''
** iOS (2013)}}
|-
|''Math Blaster Space Zapper''
|iOS (2013)
|-
|''B-Force Blaster''
|iOS (2013)
|}

===Reading===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Games
!Platforms and release years
|-
|''Reading Blaster: Invasion of the Word Snatchers''<ref name="auto1">{{cite web |title=ST Report: Newswire / Tech News / Sun Ripens Java / Jaguar Dazzles Developers / Wired World: The Big Idea / A.T.A.C. & Wargods! |url=https://archive.org/details/st-report-1040/page/n7/mode/2up?q=%22Reading+Blaster%22+%22Invasion+of+the+Word+Snatchers%22 |publisher=Atari Explorer Online}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web |last=Willis |first=Jerry |date=July 28, 1996 |title=Technology, reading, and language arts |url=http://archive.org/details/technologyreadin0000will |publisher=Boston: Allyn and Bacon |via=Internet Archive}}</ref>
|Windows, Macintosh (1994)
|-
|''[[Reading Blaster 2000]]''
|Windows, Macintosh (1996)
{{smalldiv|
* Re-released as '''''Reading Blaster: Ages 6–9'''''
** Windows, Macintosh (1998)
* Re-released as '''''Reading Blaster for 3rd Grade'''''
** Windows, Macintosh (1999)
* Re-released as '''''Reading Blaster: Mel's Word Factory'''''
** Handheld LCD (1999)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ebay.ca/itm/BLASTER-ELECTRONIC-HANDHELD-MELS-WORD-FACTORY-TOY-GAME-/120490734411?hash=item1c0dceb34b:m:mxgXW8_995b-Jj0j1yovOtA|title = Nintendo Wii Nerf Switch Shot EX-3 Blaster Attachment Only}}</ref>}}
|-
|''Reading Blaster Jr.''
|Windows, Macintosh (1996)
{{smalldiv|
* Re-released as '''''Reading Blaster: Ages 4–6'''''
** Windows, Macintosh (1998)}}
|-
|''Word Blaster''
|Windows, Macintosh (1996)
{{smalldiv|
* Re-released as '''''Reading Blaster: Vocabulary'''''
** Windows, Macintosh (1998)
* Re-released as '''''Reading Blaster for 5th Grade'''''
** Windows, Macintosh (1999)}}
|-
|''Reading Blaster: Ages 9–12''
|Windows, Macintosh (1998)
{{smalldiv|
* Re-released as '''''Reading Blaster for 4th Grade'''''
** Windows, Macintosh (1999)}}
|-
|''Spelling Blaster''
|Windows, Macintosh (1999)
{{smalldiv|
* Re-released as '''''Reading Blaster for 2nd Grade'''''
** Windows, Macintosh (1999)
* Re-released as '''''Reading Blaster: Word Planet'''''
** Handheld LCD (1999)<ref>[http://www.ebay.com/itm/Word-Planet-Electronic-Handheld-Travel-Game-Blaster-Learning-Systems-/282509130613]{{dead link|date=August 2022}}</ref>
* Re-released as '''''Reading Blaster Mission 3: The Secret Of Islandia'''''
** Windows, Macintosh (2000)}}
|-
|''Reading Blaster for Kindergarten''
|Windows, Macintosh (1999)
{{smalldiv|
* Re-released as '''''Reading Blaster Mission 1: Secret Of the Sunken'''''
** Windows, Macintosh (2000)}}
|-
|''Reading Blaster for 1st Grade''
|Windows, Macintosh (1999)
{{smalldiv|
* Re-released as '''''Reading Blaster Mission 2: Planet of the Lost Things'''''
** Windows, Macintosh (2000)}}
|}

===Other subjects===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Games
!Platforms and release years
|-
|''Science Blaster Jr.''
|Windows, Macintosh (1996)
|-
|''Writing Blaster: Ages 6–9''
|Windows, Macintosh (1998)
|}

===Compilations===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!Title
!Games
|-
|
|''Math Blaster Anniversary''
|
* ''Math Blaster: Ages 6–9''
* ''Spelling Blaster: Ages 6–9''
|-
|
|''Blaster Learning System 3R's: Ages 4–6''
|
* ''Reading Blaster: Ages 4–6''
* ''KidWorks Deluxe''
* ''Math Blaster: Ages 4–6''
|-
|
|''Blaster Learning System 3R's: Ages 6–9''
|
* ''Reading Blaster: Ages 6–9''
* ''Writing Blaster: Ages 6–9''
* ''Math Blaster: Ages 6–9''
|-
|
|''Blaster Learning System 3R's: Ages 9–12''
|
* ''Reading Blaster: Ages 9–12''
* ''Multimedia Workshop''
* ''Math Blaster: Ages 9–12''
|-
|'''2005'''
|''Math Blaster Game Pack: Ages 6–12''
|
* ''Math Blaster: Ages 6–9''
* ''Math Blaster: Ages 9–12''
* ''Math Blaster: Pre-Algebra''
* ''Math Blaster: Algebra''
|}

===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==
The original game was praised by ''[[InfoWorld]]'' for its high resolution graphics, and considered it a standout title in the drill-and-practice edutainment video game genre.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wi8EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22math+blaster%21%22&pg=PA55|title=InfoWorld|last=InfoWorld Media Group|date=1983-07-11|publisher=InfoWorld Media Group, Inc.|language=en}}</ref> ''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.<ref name="ciraolo198510_11">{{cite news | url=https://archive.org/stream/II_Computing_Vol_1_No_1_Oct_Nov_85_Premiere#page/n51/mode/2up | title=Top Software / A List of Favorites | work=II Computing | date=Oct–Nov 1985 | access-date=28 January 2015 | author=Ciraolo, Michael | page=51}}</ref>

''New Math Blaster Plus'' was reviewed in the ''[[Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award|Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Guide Book]]'' where it was praised for its "arcade-quality graphics [making] drills snappy and entertaining".<ref>{{cite book |last=Oppenheim |first=Joanne and Stephanie |author-link= Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award |title = The Best Toys, Books & Videos for Kids |publisher = [[Harper Perennial]] |series = [[Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award|Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Guide Book]] |volume = 1 |edition = 1st |location = New York |date = 1993 |section= Computer Software/CD-ROM - Drill and Review Software: 'New Math Blaster Plus' |page = 275 |isbn = 0-06-273196-3}}</ref>

''Math Blaster Episode I: In Search of Spot'' was rated as one of the top 100 CD-ROM games of 1994 in ''[[PC Magazine]]''.<ref>{{cite journal |date=September 13, 1994 |journal=PC Magazine |volume=13 |issue=15 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WKaekAHjQ1EC |title=The Top 100 CD-ROMs |author=Dave Golder |page=166 |access-date=September 16, 2015}}</ref>

''Math Blaster Mystery: The Great Brain Robbery'' was given a 4 out of 4 star rating by the ''Home PC'' magazine adding that "most games aren't educational AND fun, but ''Math Blaster Mystery'' is both".<ref name="MBGreatBrain-Review">{{cite web | title=Math Blaster: Mystery back cover | url=http://img.gamefaqs.net/box/3/2/9/91329_back.jpg | publisher= | date= | accessdate=December 14, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kidsdomain.com:80/review/kdr/preal.html|title=''Math Blaster Mystery - The Great Brain Robbery''|accessdate=June 6, 2017|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19970125235609/http://www.davd.com/products/mbm.html|archivedate=January 25, 1997}}</ref>

By June 1997, the series sold 5 million copies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://education.com/press/school/educastbeta.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19980120191511/http://education.com/press/school/educastbeta.html|title=Davidson & Associates, Inc launches Educast beta program|website=[[Davidson & Associates]]|archivedate=January 20, 1998|date=June 30, 1997|accessdate=March 27, 2024}}</ref>

After starting off with a huge boom and providing the base for the establishment of a 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.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.mathblaster.com/ ''Math Blaster'' website]

[[Category:Children's educational video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]