Game Description

M&M's: The Lost Formulas is a conventionally styled 3D action game punctuated with opportunities to solve math problems and build skills. The story follows Yellow and Red, the two computer-animated "spokes-candies" featured in television ad campaigns. The pair had gone on vacation, only to realize that the energetic and irresponsible "Minis" were left in charge of the factory.

Now Yellow must quickly return home to clean up the mess left by the swarming miniature candies. Along the way, he meets an assortment of obstacles and arcade-style challenges. By default, one section of the adventure requires the user to solve math problems to proceed through. The game can be set to cause math problems to appear in other parts of the game, requiring the player to solve them before continuing. The software is intended for gamers aged five to 10 years. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Review: Enjoyment

Kids will really enjoy the game, despite the occasional control problems, due to the exciting levels and well-done graphics. ~ Lisa Karen Savignano, All Game Guide

Review: Overall

M&M's: The Lost Formulas is an engaging game where players take on the role of Yellow, the peanut M&M. Your job is to track down the lost formulas that the M&M's Minis have stolen and hidden in the factory. Finding the hidden pieces of the formula requires breaking boxes of M&M and Mars products as well as exploring the seven factory levels.

Each of the eight levels, including one on the road to the factory, is split into three parts, with start, math, and end zones. Zones are filled with obstacles, and in the math zone solving problems incorrectly can cost a life. An extra life is awarded for every 100 Minis collected. Minis are found in boxes labeled with various M&M and Mars products and are earned by driving a car through the box or by "going berserk" on the boxes.

Although controls are fairly simple, they still take a bit of skill to master, since, at times, they have to be used with precision in order to avoid danger. This can cause younger players to possibly experience frustration when maneuvering in certain areas. Most of the math problems are simple, targeted at the first or second grade level, and both the type and difficulty level can be set before any individual game. Older children may have better skill at manipulating Yellow, but be less challenged by the problems.

The levels are well designed, and the four hidden levels, achieved when players find all three pieces of a hidden formula, can be very fun to play. The levels have wonderful visuals, from dripping, flowing milk chocolate and sprays of candy colors to a huge warehouse level and surfing through factory water pipes. Gameplay is captivating and provides the player with hours of enjoyment long after he or she has mastered the math problems.

Despite the drawbacks of the controls, which can be difficult for younger players to master, and the somewhat blocky and pixilated nature of the movie cut scenes, there are enough interesting visuals and fun gameplay to keep kids coming back time and again to play. ~ Lisa Karen Savignano, All Game Guide

Review: Graphics

Most of the graphics are very good. On some machines, however, the graphics for the movie appear blocky and pixilated. Even with an accelerated graphics card, the movies have a distracting series of bright and dark lines that can take away from the action onscreen. ~ Lisa Karen Savignano, All Game Guide

Review: Sound

Each level has a different soundtrack, but all are exciting and support the feeling of the on-screen action. Unique sounds accompany the Minis as they flee from the broken boxes, as does gaining a new life. ~ Lisa Karen Savignano, All Game Guide

Review: Replay Value

Even after players have mastered the math problems, there's plenty of engrossing gameplay. Each game is different, with the formula pieces hidden in different places each time. ~ Lisa Karen Savignano, All Game Guide

Review: Documentation

Each level is explained, as well as the levels of the math problems. Game background, level hints and a quick reference control guide that covers all possible activities on every level are provided, including the hidden levels. ~ Lisa Karen Savignano, All Game Guide