Reading Blaster 2000
Encyclopedia
Reading Blaster 2000 is a remake of Reading Blaster: Invasion of the Word Snatchers created by Davidson & Associates
in 1996. The game was later resold as Reading Blaster: Ages 6–9 in 1998 and, under Knowledge Adventure
, as Reading Blaster for 3rd Grade in 2000.
The game features a premise involving the characters depicted in previous Blaster products (Blasternaut, Galactic Commander and Spot) competing in a game show
set in outer space
. The user chooses which Blaster character to play and may either compete against a friend, playing another Blaster character, or the computer, in which case the player's opponent is Illitera, who was previously the main villain
of the original Reading Blaster.
This is one of the few multiplayer game
s in the Blaster series. It is also one of the few entries in the series to not have a plot involving foiling a villainous character's evil plan. Also in this game, Illitera becomes the only recurring villain in the Blaster games, although here she does nothing worse than bad-mouthing the show's hosts and eliciting boos
from the unseen audience.
Davidson & Associates
Davidson & Associates was an educational software company headquartered in Torrance, California. It was best known for the Blaster series, including Math Blaster and Reading Blaster...
in 1996. The game was later resold as Reading Blaster: Ages 6–9 in 1998 and, under Knowledge Adventure
Knowledge Adventure
Knowledge Adventure, Inc. is a maker of educational software including the Adiboo and JumpStart series of grade-based and subject-based titles, such as My First Encyclopedia. It was established in the late 1980s in Los Angeles, then later merged with another large education software firm, Davidson...
, as Reading Blaster for 3rd Grade in 2000.
The game features a premise involving the characters depicted in previous Blaster products (Blasternaut, Galactic Commander and Spot) competing in a game show
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
set in outer space
Outer space
Outer space is the void that exists between celestial bodies, including the Earth. It is not completely empty, but consists of a hard vacuum containing a low density of particles: predominantly a plasma of hydrogen and helium, as well as electromagnetic radiation, magnetic fields, and neutrinos....
. The user chooses which Blaster character to play and may either compete against a friend, playing another Blaster character, or the computer, in which case the player's opponent is Illitera, who was previously the main villain
Villain
A villain is an "evil" character in a story, whether a historical narrative or, especially, a work of fiction. The villain usually is the antagonist, the character who tends to have a negative effect on other characters...
of the original Reading Blaster.
This is one of the few multiplayer game
Multiplayer game
A multiplayer video game is one which more than one person can play in the same game environment at the same time. Unlike most other games, computer and video games are often single-player activities that put the player against preprogrammed challenges and/or AI-controlled opponents, which often...
s in the Blaster series. It is also one of the few entries in the series to not have a plot involving foiling a villainous character's evil plan. Also in this game, Illitera becomes the only recurring villain in the Blaster games, although here she does nothing worse than bad-mouthing the show's hosts and eliciting boos
Booing
Booing is an act of showing displeasure for someone or something, generally an entertainer, by loudly yelling boo! or making other noises of disparagement, such as hissing. People may make hand signs at the entertainer, such as the thumbs down sign...
from the unseen audience.