CD-ROM Roundup is a regular KidScreen feature that profiles CD-ROMs aimed at children anywhere from preschool to late teen that will be hitting retail stores in the coming months. By Andrea Haman (416-408-2300 (phone), 416-408-0870 (fax) or haman@brunico.com)

Name: Superman: The Mysterious Mr. Mist, Batman: Partners in Peril, Aquaman: War of the Water Worlds, Superboy: Spies from Outer Space

Publisher& Developer: Inverse Ink, Mountain View, California

Release Date: late August

Markets: U.S., Canada

Storyline: The four DC Comics superher’es come to life in multimedia retellings of classic adventures, with Superman, Aquaman and Superboy debuting in the interactive world. The titles include animation from the 1969 Superman and Batman television programs, and are the first releases in a licensing agreement with New York-based DC Comics.

Platforms: Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Macintosh

Target Audience: 6-plus

Promotion: -advertising with DC Comics -in-store efforts with retailers

Partial List of Retail Outlets: Fry’s Electronics, J & R Music World, Price Club (Canada), comic book stores throughout the U.S.

Estimated Price(US): $9.99 each

Name: Dinosaurs Across America Teach Patrick Rabbit

Publisher: Panasonic Interactive Media, Santa Clara, California

Developer: Interactive Ink, Columbus, Ohio

Release Date: October

Markets: U.S., Canada

Storyline: Theo the Dinosaur-who appeared in his first title, Theo the Dinosaur Interactive Playbook, last June-along with his friends teach U.S. geography through activities such as puzzles and coloring pages. A seventh title in Panasonic Interactive Media’s Learning Ladder educational software line, Multiplication Tour with Spike and Mike, will also launch in October.

Platforms: Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Macintosh

Target Audience: 7 to 9

Promotion: -retail merchandising programs -print advertising

-a teacher’s guide to be sent to all U.S. schools in a promotional package

-attendance at Retail Vision in Los Angeles in September, and at the Children’s Interactive Expo in San Francisco in October

Partial List of Retail Outlets: Electronics Boutique, Best Buy, Computer City, Software Etc.

Estimated Price(US): under $39.95

Name: Wanna-Be a Fossil Finder

Publisher & Developer: Cloud 9 Interactive, Santa Monica, California

Release Date: October

Markets: U.S., Canada

Storyline: In the first product in the Wanna-Be series, which gives kids a chance to explore different jobs they could choose when they grow up, players undertake discovery expeditions where they learn to dig, document and preserve fossils. The title introduces original characters Rufus the Dog, Katie the Chameleon and Addie the Kangaroo, who will be featured throughout the series.

Platforms: Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Macintosh

Target Audience: 6 to 9

Promotion: -advertising program with movie theaters -advertising in software, children’s, women’s and general-interest magazines -the first 25,000 units to include a real fossil

-tailored promotions with retailers -demo distribution at tourist attractions -posters

Partial List of Retail Outlets: CompUSA, Computer City, Egghead Software, Software Etc., Best Buy

Estimated Price(US): $34.95

Name: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’s Adventure in Tinker Town

Publisher: MGM Interactive, Santa Monica, California

Developer: Moving Pixels, Venice, California

Release Date: October

Markets: U.S., Canada, and MGM Interactive is looking to distribute it internationally

Storyline: Players pilot the flying car from the 1968 feature film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and use tools to repair larger-than-life household appliances. Fifteen lock-and-key puzzles are designed to develop oral comprehension, science, safety and memory skills. This is MGM Interactive’s first release in the MGM/UA Family Entertainment brand.

Platforms: Windows 95, Macintosh

Target Audience: 3 to 8

Promotion: -a video of the 1968 movie starring Dick Van Dyke-with a retail value of $14.95-will be offered free with the CD-ROM

-possible teaser mailouts and in-store efforts with retailers

Partial List of Retail Outlets: Computer City, Electronics Boutique, Babbage’s, Software Etc.

Estimated Price(US): $29.95

Name: Numbers and Letters with Rayman

Publisher & Developer: Ubi Soft Entertainment, San Francisco, California

Release Date: October

Markets: U.S., with possible French, German, Spanish, Japanese and Chinese

editions to follow

Storyline: Rayman, who first starred in a video and PC game, reads, counts and spells with the help of players as he tries to rescue the Magic Book of Knowledge from the evil Mr. Dark in his first educational title.

Platforms: Windows 3.1, Windows 95

Target Audience: 6 to 10

Promotion: -shelf talkers, demo disks and custom efforts with retailers

-downloadable demos to be offered on on-line services and on its Web site (www.ubisoft.com) -mailouts to the UBI Kids of the World Club

-advertising in consumer and retail publications

Partial List of Retail Outlets: Babbage’s, Software Etc., Egghead Software

Estimated Price(US): $39.95 or less

Name: Dr. Sulfur’s Night Lab

Publisher & Developer: McGraw-Hill Home Interactive, Redwood City, California

Release Date: November

Markets: U.S. at launch, and is planning to distribute the product internationally

Storyline: Players undertake experiments and discover chemical relationships and principles in their attempt to save Dr. Sulfur and his missing formulas. Pony Express Rider, Pyramid: Challenge of the Pharaoh’s Dream and The Fennels Figure Math will also kick off in November as part of the publisher’s first flight of titles.

Platforms: Windows 95, Macintosh

Target Audience: 9 to 14

Promotion: -demo disks of the four titles to be sent to stores -custom promotions with retailers

Partial List of Retail Outlets: computer stores, bookstores and other outlets of distribution

Estimated Price(US): $40-$50