Smart
Box Design WordPop!
April 14,
2005
Review by:
Richard Adams, Contributing Editor

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PAGE 1 | PAGE 2

INTRODUCTION

SETUP

The Game opens showing you the screen
above. You will want to start with HOW TO PLAY, then choose the

Try
the Help button to access info. on:  How to Play, Support, About WordPop.
Use the Game button to change Sound Settings, to Register or find Purchase
info.

PROGRAM FEATURES

If you don’t like the sequence of the
letters on board, tap on the yellow circling arrow to display a new
combo.

When
your brain goes into gear, and a word POPs out at you, spell
it by tapping on the letters. Each letter must be contiguous with the
following one, touching each other either at a side or a corner.  See example shown in yellow:  SPEED.  Notice
that the letters aren’t in a straight line, as in some word games.

Then
accept the word by touching the green check mark to receive
a 45 point beginning score! You will know your word is accurate,
when your letters begin to explode, popping in bright yellow
designs.

H

Large readable letters are a positive
feature.

Smart
Box Design WordPop!
April
14, 2005
Review by: Richard Adams,
Contributing Editor

Jump to:
PAGE 1 | PAGE 2

HELP SUPPORT

This game has the best help
section of any game I have on my Pocket PC.  It explains how all
of the levels work, how the game is scored, how to rotate your
letters, and more.  If that is not enough you can email
them with questions

Good Help section, with rules and how
the scoring works page

BUGS AND WISHES

    
Other games
allow a player switch, without closing the other person’s game, while
WordPop! does not. 

The
ability to compete with another player by taking turns would be
a bonus, especially for elementary students.  Other possible
challenges would be: to come up with the best score at the end
of the game using the last letters to complete that level, highest
point word in that game, etc

.  
Have you ever made a play in a word game, and thought, after the
fact, "OH NO! I should have done this."  When a better, higher
scoring word comes to mind, I would like to have an "Undo" option.  I
would also appreciate being able to export my score and compare it
to others.

PURCHASING

   This
game can be purchased at

Astraware 
or Handango
 for $14.95.  There is also a free trial Demo on
these sites.

PROS

• 
  

  Three levels of difficulty, to
  fit everyone’s skill

• 
  The word board can be rotated to
  show the letters in a new combo
• 
  Good help section, with rules and
  how the scoring works
• 
  Play as long or as little as you
  want
• 
  Three High score levels
• 
  Large, readable letters
• Addicting!

CONS

• 
  Cannot export scores
• 
  No way to undo a word
• No two
  player mode
• 
  Limited ability to compete with
  another player

Value
Ease of Use
Features
Overall

OVERALL
IMPRESSION

    This game, by far, is the best game I
have on my iPAQ (and I’m a connoisseur!).  I was surprised to find that
this game is addictive; I can hardly quit playing it once I start.  The
great thing is, you can stop playing whenever you want, you know,
for important activities such as eating and sleeping.  You
don’t have to worry about the time running out on this game, or
pausing the game when someone starts bugging, ortalking
to you.  This game is nothing like I thought it would be; for
$14.95 you ought to buy two and give one to a friend.