View source for The ClueFinders

{{short description|Children's educational software series}}
{{multiple issues|{{cleanup reorganize|date=January 2019}}
{{original research|date=January 2019}}
{{peacock|date=January 2019}}}}
{{Infobox video game series
|title = The ClueFinders
|image = The ClueFinders.jpg
|caption = The members of the ClueFinders team from left-to-right: Leslie, Santiago, Owen, LapTrap (above), and Joni.
|genre = [[Educational entertainment|Edutainment]], adventure, mystery
|developer = [[SoftKey|The Learning Company]] (formerly SoftKey)
|publisher = {{Plainlist|
* The Learning Company (1998–1999)
* [[Mattel Interactive]] under The Learning Company label (1999–2000)
* The Gores Group under The Learning Company label (2000–2001)
* Riverdeep/[[Houghton Mifflin Harcourt]] under The Learning Company label (2001–2018)
* Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (2018–present)
}}
|first release version = ''The ClueFinders 3rd Grade Adventures: The Mystery of Mathra''
|first release date = January 1998<ref name="CF-TopTen">{{Cite press release |title=The ClueFinders Series Makes the List of Top 10 Additions to The Computer Museum's Best Software for Kids Gallery |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-cluefinders-series-makes-the-list-of-top-10-additions-to-the-computer-museums-best-software-for-kids-gallery-77215622.html |access-date=2017-03-30 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331030722/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-cluefinders-series-makes-the-list-of-top-10-additions-to-the-computer-museums-best-software-for-kids-gallery-77215622.html |archive-date=2017-03-31 |agency=[[PR Newswire]]}}</ref>
|latest release version = ''The ClueFinders: Mystery Mansion Arcade''
|latest release date = 2002
}}

'''''The ClueFinders''''' is an educational [[software]] series aimed at [[Child|children]] aged 8–12 that features a group of mystery-solving teenagers. The series was created by [[The Learning Company (formerly SoftKey)]], as a counterpart to their ''[[Reader Rabbit]]'' series for elementary-aged students. The series is noted for its combination of educational content and entertainment, and has earned several industry awards.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2001-10-04 |title=In Spy World, 'ClueFinders' Trumps Competition |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-oct-04-tt-53191-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107072144/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-oct-04-tt-53191-story.html |archive-date=2020-11-07 |access-date=2020-11-01 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2001-08-30 |title=Putting Fun Into Reading, Rhyming, Arithmetic |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-aug-30-tt-40016-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107060710/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-aug-30-tt-40016-story.html |archive-date=2020-11-07 |access-date=2020-11-01 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1999-12-15 |title=Kids software that delights and educates |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/1999/1215/p13s1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104220520/https://www.csmonitor.com/1999/1215/p13s1.html |archive-date=2020-11-04 |access-date=2020-11-01 |work=[[Christian Science Monitor]] |issn=0882-7729}}</ref>

== History ==
=== The Learning Company (1998–2001) ===
''The ClueFinders'' was conceived as a [[spiritual successor]] to the ''[[Reader Rabbit]]'' series.<ref name="CF-LANews">{{Cite news |last=Shannon |first=L. R. |date=August 30, 2001 |title=An Education in Child's Play |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-aug-30-tt-40015-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331114818/http://articles.latimes.com/2001/aug/30/news/tt-40015 |archive-date=2017-03-31 |access-date=2017-02-06 |work=The Los Angeles Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The first ''ClueFinders'' title, ''The ClueFinders 3rd Grade Adventures: The Mystery of Mathra'', was released in January 1998, and ''The ClueFinders 4th Grade Adventures'' was released in July. [[The Learning Company]] used their new game as the prototype for Internet Applet technology, which allowed users to download supplementary activities from the ''ClueFinders'' website.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1998-11-02 |title=Internet Applet Prototype Seamlessly Integrates with CD-ROM Components. |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-53159078.html |journal=Software Industry Report |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331114052/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-53159078.html |archive-date=2017-03-31 |via=[[Highbeam]]}}</ref> ''The ClueFinders 4th Grade Adventures'' was also the first game to include the A.D.A.P.T. technology, which allowed teachers and parents to monitor the player's progress and included auto-adjustable levels based on the player's abilities.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o9VxCBx7ta4C&q=cluefinders&pg=PA232 |title=PC Mag |date=2000-09-01 |publisher=Ziff Davis, Inc. |language=en}}</ref>

In 1999, The Learning Company was acquired by [[Mattel]] for $3.7 billion. The following year, Mattel sold its "The Learning Company" assets to Gores Technology Group.<ref>{{Cite news |last=York |first=Andrew Cave in New |title=Mattel sale ends $3.6bn fiasco |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/4467013/Mattel-sale-ends-3.6bn-fiasco.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306072434/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/4467013/Mattel-sale-ends-3.6bn-fiasco.html |archive-date=2016-03-06 |access-date=2017-03-31 |work=Telegraph.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> In 2000, [[Mattel Interactive]] hired professional writers Jill Gorey and Barbara Herndon to design a concept for a TV series, though the franchise never made its way to television.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mattel Interactive Enters Into New Media With Its Award-Winning ClueFinders Brand |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mattel-interactive-enters-into-new-media-with-its-award-winning-cluefinders-brand-72498432.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331024739/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mattel-interactive-enters-into-new-media-with-its-award-winning-cluefinders-brand-72498432.html |archive-date=2017-03-31 |access-date=2017-03-30 |website=PR Newswire}}</ref> ''The ClueFinders Reading Adventures'' were discontinued in 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee on October 10, 2000 · Page 62 |date=10 October 2000 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/112834600/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413000246/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/112834600/ |archive-date=2019-04-13 |access-date=2019-08-06 |publisher=Newspapers.com}}</ref> ''ClueFinders'' held a writing competition in 2001.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hello |url=http://promotions2.marketsystems.net/cluefinders/default.html |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010802032137/http://promotions2.marketsystems.net/cluefinders/default.html |archive-date=2001-08-02 |access-date=2017-03-30}}</ref> Sponsored by The Learning Company, the competition was open to 3rd-6th-grade classrooms in the United States. The winning essay, a new adventure for the ''ClueFinders'' crew, won its writer an iMac.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2000-11-26 |title=Holiday Sites Are Full of Fun and Games.(Arts and Lifestyle) |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-67309546.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331114416/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-67309546.html |archive-date=2017-03-31}}</ref>

=== Riverdeep/HMH (2001–2021) ===
In 2001, [[Riverdeep]] acquired many of The Learning Company's properties from Gores Technology Group by selling $40 million in stock.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2001-11-01 |title=Riverdeep acquires assets of The Learning Company. (News). (Brief Article) |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-80772519.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331114642/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-80772519.html |archive-date=2017-03-31}}</ref> ''Carmen Sandiego'', ''ClueFinders'', and ''Reader Rabbit'' were then licensed to the KidsEdge website in 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-02-23 |title=Impressive array of content gives KidsEdge a boost.(Arts and Lifestyle) |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-97983973.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331025202/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-97983973.html |archive-date=2017-03-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-03-13 |title=Cossacks ride again |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-0FEBFD9A64360B00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331114422/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-0FEBFD9A64360B00.html |archive-date=2017-03-31}}</ref> In 2003, ''The ClueFinders' Reading Adventures'' was reconfigured to run on Windows XP.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Battle Creek Enquirer from Battle Creek, Michigan on May 13, 2003 &middot; Page 15 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/197195829/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405073316/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/197195829/ |archive-date=2017-04-05 |access-date=2017-04-04 |work=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref> The 2004 [[RCN Corporation|RCN]] InterACTION service allowed parents to stream games in series such as ''Carmen Sandiego'', ''Clifford the Big Red Dog'', and ''ClueFinders'' over a broadband connection.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 12, 2004 |title=Bulletin Board |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1555052.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331114143/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1555052.html |archive-date=2017-03-31 |work=[[The Chicago Sun-Times]] |via=[[Highbeam]]}}</ref> [[Product bundling|Compilations]] of multiple previously released titles were added, such as ''ClueFinders Adventure Pack'' and ''ClueFinders Triple Pack''. These bundles often include a single ClueFinders title (often "The ClueFinders Reading Adventures") along with other games (but mostly The Learning Company games), such as "Adventure Workshop" or "After School Clubhouse". The 3rd–6th grade titles were re-released on the [[iOS]] platform on December 19, 2010.<ref name="Apple">{{Cite web |title=ClueFinders 3rd Grade |url=https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cluefinders-3rd-grade/id405950720?mt=12 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423065322/https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cluefinders-3rd-grade/id405950720?mt=12 |archive-date=23 April 2017 |access-date=22 April 2017 |website=iTunes |publisher=Apple}}</ref> As of 2017, [[Houghton Mifflin Harcourt]] (the successor of Riverdeep) has been offering the ''ClueFinders'' brand as a licensing opportunity on its website.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Licensing Opportunities |url=http://www.hmhco.com/at-home/featured-shops/the-learning-company/licensing-opportunities |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118050559/http://www.hmhco.com/at-home/featured-shops/the-learning-company/licensing-opportunities |archive-date=2017-01-18 |access-date=2017-01-17 |website=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt}}</ref>

=== HarperCollins (2021–present) ===
In 2021, [[HarperCollins Publishers]], a subsidiary of [[News Corp]], purchased Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's books and media division, including all the rights to their video game intellectual properties.<ref>{{cite news |last2=Cimilluca |first2=Dana |last1=Trachtenberg|first1=Jeffrey |title=News Corp to Buy Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's Consumer-Publishing Arm for $349 Million |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/news-corp-nears-deal-to-buy-houghton-mifflin-harcourt-s-consumer-publishing-arm-11616970992 |access-date=March 29, 2021 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=March 29, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Winnick|first1=Laura|title= HarperCollins Acquires Houghton Mifflin Harcourt|url=https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/HarperCollins-Acquires-Houghton-Mifflin-Harcourt|access-date=May 25, 2024|work=Library Journal|date=April 6, 2021}}</ref>

== Design ==
=== Plot ===
Development of the games' backstory took 16 months.<ref name="CF-LANews" /> The ''ClueFinders'' adventures take place in the real contemporary world, incorporating some elements of [[fantasy]] and [[science fiction]].

The main cast of characters include:
* Joni Savage (Josie Savage in UK version): ClueFinders founder and hard-headed leader.
* Santiago Rivera (Sebastian Robertson in the UK version): A [[Spanish Americans|Spanish-American]] mechanically-minded member.
* Owen Lam: An [[Asian Americans|Asian-American]] skater dude member.
* Leslie Clark (Lucy Clark in the UK version): An [[African Americans|African-American]] literary-minded member.
* LapTrap, The Turbo T.U.R.T.L.E. (Turbocharged Ultra-Rugged-Terrain Laptop Equipment): A floating artificially intelligent laptop. During ''The Incredible Toy Store Adventure'' Laptrap is joined by a second spherical Turbo T.U.R.T.L.E. called AliTrap. The gameplay has him acting as the pause menu.
* Socrates: An intelligent [[dog]] who acts as the narrator and mascot.<ref name="CF-LANews" /> He only appears in ''The ClueFinders 4th Grade Adventures: Puzzle of the Pyramid''. 

They were chosen to be around the same age as their player base after the art director ran various character designs by a group of kids. Some of the unsuccessful designs included animals, rock stars, and [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] agents, which the kids perceived as babysitters instead of teammates.<ref name="CF-LANews" /> Each character was designed with a distinct personality and identifiable faults to increase their relatability.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=The Learning Company, Inc. Extends Its ClueFinders' Line of Grade-Based Software with 'The ClueFinders 4th Grade Adventures' |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-learning-company-inc-extends-its-cluefinders-line-of-grade-based-software-with-the-cluefinders-4th-grade-adventures-75714972.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405165922/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-learning-company-inc-extends-its-cluefinders-line-of-grade-based-software-with-the-cluefinders-4th-grade-adventures-75714972.html |archive-date=2017-04-05 |access-date=2017-04-04 |publisher=The Learning Company |language=en |agency=[[PR Newswire]]}}</ref> The developers used a character grid to aid their writing, which contained information such as "their flaws, their fears, how they met, where they grew up, and their likely reactions to certain situations".<ref name="CF-LANews" />

In '''''The ClueFinders 3rd Grade Adventures: The Mystery of Mathra''''', a great city was built 1,000 years ago in the fictional Numerian rainforest in [[South America]] until a [[dragon]]-like monster named Mathra invaded. After Mathra was captured, the Numerians abandoned their city, sealed the entrance, and hid the two halves of the key in the far corners of the rainforest. One part was hidden in the Monkey Kingdom and the other in the Goo Lagoon. Animals had started to disappear in the rainforest once again and Joni's uncle, Dr. Horace Pythagoras, also disappeared. Mr. Limburger (Lindman in the UK version) flies the ClueFinders in his airplane and briefs them on the events going on. The ClueFinders set off to find the lost doctor, animals, and the keys to the Lost Numerian City, but the evidence suggests that there is more to the disappearances than a 1,000-year-old monster as well as a sinister plot behind it.

In '''''The ClueFinders 4th Grade Adventures: Puzzle of the Pyramid''''', the ClueFinders are on an adventure in [[Egypt]] with Professor Botch, Alistair Loveless, and their dog, Socrates. There, at a dig site, they uncover the tomb of [[Seth-Peribsen|Peribsen]], a king from [[Second dynasty of Egypt|the second dynasty]]. Joni finds a mysterious ring and tries it on her finger, but it magically latches onto her finger. Later that night, Alistair Loveless and his goons kidnap Professor Botch and steal several valuable relics. Loveless intends to unleash [[Set (deity)|Set]], the Egyptian God of Evil and Chaos. The ClueFinders are left to recover the relics, rescue Professor Botch, and prevent Loveless and Set from wreaking havoc.

In '''''The ClueFinders 5th Grade Adventures: Secret of the Living Volcano''''', the ClueFinders are on a mission with Captain Clark, Leslie's sailor grandfather, to find out why so many ships have been disappearing in a certain area of the [[Pacific Ocean]]. In one of the wrecked ships, Joni and Santiago discover a pair of metal plaques with strange [[symbols]] written on them called CrypTiles. When their ship comes into view of a tiny uncharted island, a [[tsunami]] promptly forms and hits their ship. Joni, Santiago, and LapTrap are stranded on the island and set off to rescue their remaining team members, locate Captain Clark and his crew, and find out what sort of activities are happening on the island.

In '''''The ClueFinders 6th Grade Adventures: The Empire of the Plant People''''', while playing a game of [[Flying disc|frisbee]], Joni accidentally tosses the disc over the fence into the overgrown yard of their friendly neighbor, Miss Rose. When Joni and Santiago enter Miss Rose's yard to find the frisbee, the ground opens up and swallows them. Owen, Leslie, and LapTrap investigate to look for their lost team members and find a labyrinth under the yard inhabited by [[Self-awareness|self-aware]], [[Anthropomorphism|anthropomorphic]] talking plants. They learn from a friendly plant named Ficus that the plants have captured Joni and Santiago and are concocting a plan to attack the town above.

In '''''The ClueFinders Math Adventures Ages 9–12: Mystery in the Himalayas''''', in a village high in the [[Himalayas]], twenty-four priceless treasures have been stolen. An elder of the village calls the ClueFinders to help uncover the treasures and the thief's identity. Many, including the elder's pessimistic apprentice, believe the [[Yeti]] is behind the theft, but the clues all point in different directions and it appears a different person is responsible for the theft of each item.

In '''''The ClueFinders Reading Adventures: Mystery of the Missing Amulet''''', an asteroid has crashed in the [[Sierra Nevada (U.S.)|Sierra Mountains]]. The ClueFinders approach the asteroid, discovering it is significantly cool despite its recent crash. Joni touches it, and the ClueFinders get beamed across space, arriving on the planet Millenia. The team is separated into two parts of the Millennia. Joni and Owen then meet Malveera, the [[princess]] of Millenia who brought them to help save her planet from the evil sorceress Malicia, who has also captured Santiago and Leslie. The only way to stop her and return to Earth is to locate the two halves of the [[Amulet]] of Life hidden by the Doldreks and the Sorrens.

In '''''ClueFinders Search and Solve Adventures: The Phantom Amusement Park''''', one night, when the ClueFinders are observing a [[lunar eclipse]] from their clubhouse, they see an [[SOS]] signal coming from an abandoned [[amusement park]] on the edge of town. They find Jacques Ramone, the curator of the local art museum, trapped at the top of the drop-tower ride. He tells them that he was kidnapped and placed there, but says he doesn't know why. After Joni and Owen rescue the curator, Santiago and Leslie are captured by the curator's sister, Mimi Ramone. Joni and Owen investigate the park and find some art supplies and damaged robots, indicating that some art forgery crime was taking place.

In '''''The ClueFinders: The Incredible Toy Store Adventure''''', the ClueFinders are heading on a [[San Francisco]] cable car to the recently built [[toy store]], Ultimate Toys. Owen goes to retrieve his wallet from the cable car, along with Joni and LapTrap, while Leslie, Santiago, and AliTrap head into the store, only to be shot by a shrinking ray and captured into a sack. Once they escape from the sack, they realize they've been taken to the sixth floor. Using Owen's red video phone, they contact Leslie and Santiago and inform them of their plight, prompting Leslie and Santiago to try to rescue them. To do this Owen, Joni, and LapTrap need to make their way into the toy store and construct a machine to reverse the shrinking effects while nabbing the perpetrator responsible for the shrinking them.

In '''''The ClueFinders: Mystery Mansion Arcade''''', the ClueFinders explore a creepy house on a hill, thinking that Joni's uncle Dr. Horace Pythagoras sent a distress email that he was trapped in the house and needed rescue. It turns out to be a trap, and the four ClueFinders are separated. Four of the ClueFinders' previous enemies—Fletcher Limburger, Alistair Loveless, Pericles Lear, and Miss Rose—have joined forces with [[Carmen Sandiego (character)|a mysterious new ally]] and created the trap to get revenge on the ClueFinders.

=== Gameplay ===
The series consists of "multi-subject by grade" programs, in which players practice skills and advance their understanding of grade-based content.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Ryan |first1=Kevin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=64BdAqI3BdkC&q=%22ClueFinders%22&pg=PA184 |title=Teaching for Student Learning: Becoming a Master Teacher |last2=Cooper |first2=James M. |last3=Tauer |first3=Susan |date=2012-01-01 |publisher=Cengage Learning |isbn=978-1111833602 |language=en}}</ref> The player can choose to play the adventure mode or to play the game's activities outside the adventure in "practice mode". Choosing to play the adventure will lead to a follow-up sequence, which further establishes the premise as well as the overall goal of the game. The bulk of each game involves traveling between different screens in a predetermined area that has various educational activities. The user will have to play these games to advance. Usually, each area will have one activity that needs to be completed to advance, which can only be played by collecting items from all the other activities in the area.

In all of the games except for ''The ClueFinders 4th Grade Adventures'', the ClueFinders are split into two teams at the start. A portable red [[videophone]] allows the two teams to make contact with each other and clicking on the phone provides the user with game hints from the other team. The other team will typically either be serving as backup, looking for clues, or else be captured and in need of rescue. Games have different activities divided among different areas, each with their skill and goal. The games contain several [[Parody|parodies]] of and [[allusion]]s to [[popular culture]] and other topics.

In ''The ClueFinders: Mystery Mansion Arcade'', the activities are not as educationally based as the previous games but more arcade-oriented. The mini-games consist of an obstacle course, category matching, a maze game, and a pinball game. In ''The ClueFinders Math Adventures'', the game is set up similarly to [[Clue board game|''Clue'']] in that the central goal of each round is to identify three variables—who stole the treasure, which treasure they took, and where they hid it—based on clues. Clues are acquired from playing games and helping the villagers with their work. Using the acquired clues, the player can limit the number of possibilities until, with enough clues, only one remains. When 24 treasures are restored, the game is won.

=== Graphics and coding ===
During the gameplay, [[2D computer graphics]] are used in the style of hand-drawn [[animated cartoon]]s with animations that use thick outlines and solid colors on two-dimensional backgrounds. For this reason, the series is often<ref>{{Cite web |title=SuperKids Software Review of Clue Finders Reading Adventures. |url=http://www.superkids.com/aweb/pages/reviews/reading/7/cfra/merge.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070713035103/http://www.superkids.com/aweb/pages/reviews/reading/7/cfra/merge.shtml |archive-date=2007-07-13 |access-date=2007-03-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Yahoo! Auctions - Clue Finders - 4th Grade Adventures - The Learning Com |url=http://auctions.yahoo.com/i:Clue%20Finders%20-%204th%20Grade%20Adventures%20-%20The%20Learning%20Com:5392175 |access-date=2019-08-06 |publisher=Auctions.yahoo.com}}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ClueFinders: The Incredible Toy Store Adventure |url=http://www.parents-choice.org/product.cfm?product_id=7085&award=xx&from=2002%20Parents%27%20Choice%20Award%20Winners}}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> described as imitating the look of a [[Saturday morning cartoon]], ''[[Scooby-Doo]]'' being repeatedly cited by reviewers. Cutscenes, however, use [[pre-rendered]] [[3D computer graphics|3D graphics]].

=== Educational goals ===
While ''[[Reader Rabbit]]'' was popular with younger audiences, [[The Learning Company]] came up with ''ClueFinders'' to appeal to third graders and onward for both boys and girls. To match with kids' abstract thinking, the games were activity-centered and included cross-curriculum topics more sophisticated than pre-school material, which included algebra, grammar, and spelling. To ensure that users learned something, the educational content came first before the puzzles, game play, and objectives.<ref name="CF-LANews" />

== Products in the series ==
=== List of games ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Games
!Platforms and release years
|-
|''[[The ClueFinders 3rd Grade Adventures: The Mystery of Mathra]]'' (titled ''The ClueFinders Year 3'' / ''Cluefinders 3 & 4'' in UK)
|
* [[Windows]], [[Mac (computer)|Mac]] (1998)
{{smalldiv|1=
* Re-released with '''A.D.A.P.T.'''
** Windows, Mac (1999)
* Re-released as '''''The ClueFinders: Mystery of the Monkey Kingdom'''''
** Windows, Mac (2001)}}
* [[MacOS]] (2010)
|-
|''[[The ClueFinders 4th Grade Adventures: Puzzle of the Pyramid]]'' (titled ''The ClueFinders Year 4'' / ''Cluefinders 4 & 5'' in UK)
|
* Windows, Mac (1998)
{{smalldiv|1=
* Re-released with '''A.D.A.P.T.'''
** Windows, Mac (1999)}}
* MacOS (2010)
|-
|''[[The ClueFinders Math Adventures|The ClueFinders Math Adventures: Mystery in the Himalayas]]'' (titled ''The ClueFinders Maths Ages 9-12: Mystery of the Stolen Treasures'' in UK)
|
* Windows, Mac (1998)
{{smalldiv|1=
* Re-released with '''A.D.A.P.T.'''
** Windows, Mac (1999)}}
|-
|''[[The ClueFinders 5th Grade Adventures: The Secret of the Living Volcano]]'' (titled ''The ClueFinders Year 5'' / ''Cluefinders 5 & 6'' in UK)
|
* Windows, Mac (1999)
* MacOS (2010)
|-
|''[[The ClueFinders 6th Grade Adventures: The Empire of the Plant People]]'' (titled ''The ClueFinders Year 6'' / ''Cluefinders 6 & 7'' in UK)
|
* Windows, Mac (1999)
* MacOS (2010)
|-
|''The ClueFinders Reading Adventures: Mystery of the Missing Amulet'' (titled ''The ClueFinders Reading Ages 9-12'' in UK)
|Windows, Mac (1999, included as a bonus disc with other ''ClueFinders'' titles)
|-
|''[[The ClueFinders Search and Solve Adventures|The Cluefinders Search and Solve Adventures: The Phantom Amusement Park]]''
|Windows, Mac (2000)
|-
|''The ClueFinders Real World Adventure Kit''
|Windows, Mac (2001, included as a bonus disc with other ''ClueFinders'' titles)
|-
|''[[The ClueFinders: The Incredible Toy Store Adventure!]]''
|Windows, Mac (2001)
|-
|''The ClueFinders: Mystery Mansion Arcade'' 
|Windows, Mac (2002, included as a bonus disc with other ''ClueFinders'' titles)
|-
|''ClueFinders: Doom Elevator''
|[[Browser game]]
|-
|''ClueFinders: Jungle Adventure''
|Browser game
|-
|''ClueFinders: Rescue''
|Browser game
|}

=== Compilations ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Title
!Year
!Games
|-
|''ClueFinders Adventure Pack''<ref>{{Cite web |title=The ClueFinders: Adventure Pack (PC) |url=http://www.ign.com/games/the-cluefinders-adventure-pack/pc-800928 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331034129/http://www.ign.com/games/the-cluefinders-adventure-pack/pc-800928 |archive-date=2017-03-31 |access-date=2017-03-30}}</ref>
|2003
|
* ''The ClueFinders Search and Solve Adventures: The Phantom Amusement Park''
* ''The ClueFinders: The Incredible Toy Store Adventure!''
* ''The ClueFinders Reading Adventures: Mystery of the Missing Amulet''
|-
|''ClueFinders Triple Pack''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dorling kindersley Clue finders Year 3,4,5 and Cluefinders 6 |url=http://www.cybersoftware.co.uk/dorling_kindersley_cluefinders.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331025548/http://www.cybersoftware.co.uk/dorling_kindersley_cluefinders.shtml |archive-date=2017-03-31 |access-date=2017-03-30 |website=Cybersoftware educational software}}</ref>
|2005
|
* ''The ClueFinders 3rd Grade Adventures: The Mystery of Mathra''
* ''The ClueFinders 4th Grade Adventures: Puzzle of the Pyramid''
* ''The ClueFinders 5th Grade Adventures: The Secret of the Living Volcano''
|-
|''Cluefinders Math Learning System''<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 October 2014 |title=ClueFinders Math Adventures Download Mac |url=http://mac.softpedia.com/get/Educational/ClueFinders-Math-Adventures.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331031335/http://mac.softpedia.com/get/Educational/ClueFinders-Math-Adventures.shtml |archive-date=31 March 2017 |access-date=30 March 2017}}</ref>
|2007
|
* ''The ClueFinders Math Adventures: Mystery of the Himalayas''
* ''Mighty Math Number Heroes''
|}

===Books===
Two ''ClueFinders'' books - ''The Mystery of Microsneezia''<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Weiss |first1=Ellen |title=The Mystery of Microsneezia (Cluefinders) |last2=Friedman |first2=Mel |date=January 1, 2004 |publisher=Learning Co. |isbn=978-0763076191 |language=en}}</ref> and ''The Mystery of the Backlot Banshee''<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Weiss |first1=Ellen |title=The Mystery of the Backlot Banshee (Clue Finders) |last2=Friedman |first2=Mel |date=January 1, 2004 |publisher=Learning Co. |isbn=978-0763076207 |language=en}}</ref> - were both written by [[Ellen Weiss]] and illustrated by Mel Friedman.

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
<!-- Reviews -->|Allgame={{rating|4|5}}<ref name="TCF3G-Allgame">{{Cite web |last=T.J. Deci |title=''The ClueFinders 3rd Grade Adventures: The Mystery of Mathra'' - Review - allgame |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=21547&tab=review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141212011524/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=21547&tab=review |archive-date=December 12, 2014 |access-date=April 4, 2017 |publisher=[[Allgame]]}}</ref>|rev1=''Review Corner''|rev1Score={{rating|5|5}}<ref name="TCF3G-RevCorner">{{Cite web |title=The ClueFinders 3rd Grade Adventures: The Mystery of Mathra - Review Corner |url=http://www.reviewcorner.com/software/cluefinders3.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041027223537/http://www.reviewcorner.com/software/cluefinders3.html |archive-date=October 27, 2004 |access-date=April 10, 2017 |quote=An exceptional program that should have "classic" status.}}</ref>
<!-- Awards -->|award1Pub=[[Parents' Choice Award|Parents' Choice]]|award1=Gold Award 1998<ref name="CF3GA-PCGold">{{Cite web |title=The ClueFinders' 3rd Grade Adventures - Parents' Choice Gold Award |url=http://www.parents-choice.org/product.cfm?product_id=511&from=Riverdeep/The%20Learning%20Company |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331031332/http://www.parents-choice.org/product.cfm?product_id=511&from=Riverdeep/The%20Learning%20Company |archive-date=2017-03-31 |access-date=2017-03-30 |website=www.parents-choice.org}}</ref>|award2Pub=Bologna New Media Prize|award2=Best Logical Thinking Program 1999<ref name="CF3GA-BoloPrize1999">{{Cite web |title=The ClueFinders' 3rd Grade Adventures Recognized Among the Best Children's Software in the World. - Free Online Library |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+ClueFinders%27+3rd+Grade+Adventures+Recognized+Among+the+Best...-a054061319 |access-date=2016-09-11 |website=www.thefreelibrary.com}}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>|award3Pub=Review Corner|award3=Award of Excellence<ref name="TCF3G-RevCorner" />}}
''3rd Grade'' won the 1998 Gold Award from Parents' Choice. During the Opening Day of the [[Bologna Children's Book Fair]] on April 8, 1999, the game was awarded the Bologna New Media Prize for the Best Logical Thinking Program.{{Video game reviews
<!-- Reviewers -->| Allgame = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="CF4GA-Allgame">{{Cite web |last=Lisa Karen Savignano |title=''The ClueFinders 4th Grade Adventures: Puzzle of the Pyramid'' - Review - allgame |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=21548&tab=review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115092719/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=21548&tab=review |archive-date=November 15, 2014 |access-date=March 28, 2017 |publisher=[[Allgame]]}}</ref>
| rev1 = Game Vortex
| rev1Score = 80/100<ref name="CF4GA-GameVortex">{{Cite web |title=Clue Finders 4th Grade Adventure: Puzzle of the Pyramid |url=http://www.gamevortex.com/gamevortex/soft_rev.php/513/clue-finders-4th-grade-adventure-puzzle-of-the-pyramid-pc.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810203638/http://www.gamevortex.com/gamevortex/soft_rev.php/513/clue-finders-4th-grade-adventure-puzzle-of-the-pyramid-pc.html |archive-date=2019-08-10 |access-date=2019-08-06 |publisher=Gamevortex.com}}</ref>
| rev2 = 7Wolf Magazine
| rev2Score = 70/100<ref name="CF4GA-Mobygames">{{Cite web |title=The ClueFinders: 4th Grade Adventures for Macintosh (1998) |url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/cluefinders-4th-grade-adventures |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413235227/https://www.mobygames.com/game/cluefinders-4th-grade-adventures |archive-date=2019-04-13 |access-date=2019-08-06 |publisher=MobyGames}}</ref>
| rev3 = macHOME Magazine
| rev3Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="CF4GA-Mobygames" />}}{{Video game reviews
<!-- Reviews -->|Allgame={{rating|4|5}}<ref name="TCF5G-Allgame">{{Cite web |last=Lisa Karen Savignano |title=''The ClueFinders 5th Grade Adventures: The Secret of the Living Volcano'' - Review - allgame |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=22671&tab=review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141212011530/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=22671&tab=review |archive-date=December 12, 2014 |access-date=April 4, 2017 |publisher=[[Allgame]]}}</ref>}}{{Video game reviews
<!-- Reviews -->|Allgame={{rating|4|5}}<ref name="TCF6G-Allgame">{{Cite web |last=Lisa Karen Savignano |title=''The ClueFinders 6th Grade Adventures: The Empire of the Plant People'' - Review - allgame |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=22672&tab=review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141212011533/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=22672&tab=review |archive-date=December 12, 2014 |access-date=April 4, 2017 |publisher=[[Allgame]]}}</ref>}}{{Video game reviews
<!-- Reviews -->|Allgame={{rating|4|5}}<ref name="TCFMA-Allgame">{{Cite web |last=Lisa Karen Savignano |title=''The ClueFinders Math Adventures'' - Review - allgame |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=36305&tab=review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141212012626/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=36305&tab=review |archive-date=December 12, 2014 |access-date=April 4, 2017 |publisher=[[Allgame]]}}</ref>}}{{Video game reviews
<!-- Reviews -->|Allgame={{rating|3|5}}<ref name="TCFRA-Allgame">{{Cite web |last=Hilary Williams |title=''The ClueFinders Reading Adventures'' - Review - allgame |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=36309&tab=review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141212013100/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=36309&tab=review |archive-date=December 12, 2014 |access-date=April 4, 2017 |publisher=[[Allgame]]}}</ref>}}{{Video game reviews
<!-- Reviews -->|Allgame={{rating|4|5}}<ref name="TCFSS-Allgame">{{Cite web |last=Lisa Karen Savignano |title=''The ClueFinders Search and Solve Adventures'' - Review - allgame |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=26772&tab=review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141212010759/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=26772&tab=review |archive-date=December 12, 2014 |access-date=April 4, 2017 |publisher=[[Allgame]]}}</ref>}}{{Video game reviews
<!-- Reviews -->|Allgame={{rating|4|5}}<ref name="TCFIS-Allgame">{{Cite web |last=Lisa Karen Savignano |title=''The ClueFinders: The Incredible Toy Store Adventure!'' - Review - allgame |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=37069&tab=review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141212004814/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=37069&tab=review |archive-date=December 12, 2014 |access-date=April 4, 2017 |publisher=[[Allgame]]}}</ref>}}

''[[Computer Shopper (US magazine)|Computer Shopper]]'' and ''SuperKids'' described ''3rd Grade Adventures'' as the educational equivalent of the ''Indiana Jones'' trilogy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Clue Finders 3rd Grade Adventures. |url=http://www.superkids.com/aweb/pages/reviews/multisub/3rdgrade/1/clue3/merge.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331025852/http://www.superkids.com/aweb/pages/reviews/multisub/3rdgrade/1/clue3/merge.shtml |archive-date=2017-03-31 |access-date=2017-03-30 |website=SuperKids Software}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 1, 1998 |title=The ClueFinders' 3rd Grade Adventures |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-20507203.html |url-status=dead |journal=Computer Shopper |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011232631/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-20507203.html |archive-date=October 11, 2017}}</ref> ''Kiplinger's Personal Finance'' thought ''4th Grade Adventures'' "works hard for its players' enjoyment".<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kv4DAAAAMBAJ&q=cluefinders&pg=PA101 |title=Kiplinger's Personal Finance |date=2017-04-04 |publisher=Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. |language=en}}</ref> ''[[Discovery Education]]'' wrote that ''5th Grade Adventures'' "seamlessly combines fun and learning".<ref>{{Cite web |title=The ClueFinders 5th Grade Adventures |url=http://school.discoveryeducation.com/parents/reviewcorner/software/cf5thgrade.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331031530/http://school.discoveryeducation.com/parents/reviewcorner/software/cf5thgrade.html |archive-date=2017-03-31 |access-date=2017-03-30 |website=Discovery Education}}</ref> ''SuperKids'' praised the "cartoon quality animation and an alluring storyline" of ''Math Adventures'' and the [[Cluedo]]-inspired gameplay.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The ClueFinders' Math Ages 9-12 |url=http://www.superkids.com/aweb/pages/reviews/math/5/cfmath/merge.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331031507/http://www.superkids.com/aweb/pages/reviews/math/5/cfmath/merge.shtml |archive-date=2017-03-31 |access-date=2017-03-30 |website=SuperKids Software}}</ref> 01Net asserted that in terms of ''[[The ClueFinders 5th Grade Adventures: The Secret of the Living Volcano|5th Grade Adventures]]'', the activities take precedence over the merely incidental storyline.<ref>{{Cite news |last=01net |title=Le club des TrouveTout, l'énigme du volcan |url=http://www.01net.com/astuces/le-club-des-trouvetout-lenigme-du-volcan-114264.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403194858/http://www.01net.com/astuces/le-club-des-trouvetout-lenigme-du-volcan-114264.html |archive-date=2017-04-03 |access-date=2017-04-03 |work=01net |language=fr-FR}}</ref> In 2001, the site described the series' graphics as "very colorful" and "truly seductive"<ref>{{Cite news |last=01net |title=Le club des TrouveTout: L'aventure du savoir |url=http://www.01net.com/actualites/le-club-des-trouvetout-laventure-du-savoir-166286.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403194831/http://www.01net.com/actualites/le-club-des-trouvetout-laventure-du-savoir-166286.html |archive-date=2017-04-03 |access-date=2017-04-03 |work=01net |language=fr-FR}}</ref> but three years later the site decided they were outdated.<ref>{{Cite news |last=01net |title=Le Club des Trouvetout: les plantes carnivores |url=http://www.01net.com/astuces/le-club-des-trouvetout-les-plantes-carnivores-250407.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404042908/http://www.01net.com/astuces/le-club-des-trouvetout-les-plantes-carnivores-250407.html |archive-date=2017-04-04 |access-date=2017-04-03 |work=01net |language=fr-FR}}</ref> [[Asbury Park Press]] noted that ''[[The ClueFinders Reading Adventures|Reading Adventures]]'', like ''[[Carmen Sandiego Word Detective]]'', "placed reading games in the middle of mysteries".

''Exploring Values Through Literature, Multimedia, and Literacy Events'' highlighted the series for its multicultural and balanced cast in which the nonwhite characters have equal status to the white character, noting that Leslie and Santiago are the main sources of knowledge, but also noted that there were no examples of software with the primary character being non-white.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last1=Schmidt |first1=Patricia Ruggiano |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=djgoFoEQ6poC&q=cluefinders&pg=PA87 |title=Exploring Values Through Literature, Multimedia, and Literacy Events: Making Connections |last2=Pailliotet |first2=Ann Watts |date=2008-01-01 |publisher=IAP |isbn=9781593119454 |language=en}}</ref> Meanwhile, ''[[Boston Herald|The Boston Herald]]'' commented that the series had "come a long way"; the paper suggested that the decision to include a Caucasian (Joni), Asian (Owen), Black (Leslie), and Latino (Santiago) in its main cast smelt of interference from the California School Board standard.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2002-05-05 |title=ClueFinders uncover much frustration.(Arts and Lifestyle) |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-85458459.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331114504/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-85458459.html |archive-date=2017-03-31}}</ref> The Boston Herald described the series as having 'television-quality animation, broad educational focus, and lively situations', while also noting uneven difficulty in early games.<ref name=":0" /> ''Exploring Values Through Literature, Multimedia, and Literacy Events'' further praised the series' focus on character interdependence, or how missions are not successful until and unless they work together.<ref name=":1" /> ''Children's Software Review'' managing editor Ellen Wolock criticized The Learning Company for focusing too much of its resources on repackaging its old software, commenting that she received the impression the company was "just throwing together" entries in its newer ''ClueFinders'' series.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2000-02-04 |title=Purchase of Educational Software Maker Dragged Down Mattel.(Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News) |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-59201957.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331114049/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-59201957.html |archive-date=2017-03-31}}</ref> ''Working Mother'' thought the series offered a "painless way for kids to hone their skills".<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5aA1CjS2rMcC&q=cluefinders&pg=PT66 |title=Working Mother |date=1999-12-01 |publisher=Working Mother Media |language=en}}</ref> The Cincinnati Enquirer recommended the "strong" series to gamers who were unable to locate the then soon-to-be-discontinued title ''[[The Sims: Livin' Large]]'',<ref>{{Cite news |title=The Cincinnati Enquirer from Cincinnati, Ohio on October 11, 2000 &middot; Page 62 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/102350570/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405073439/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/102350570/ |archive-date=2017-04-05 |access-date=2017-04-04 |work=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref> and said "there is a lot to like" about entries in the series, such as the [[closed captioning]] of later titles.<ref>{{Cite news |title=The Cincinnati Enquirer from Cincinnati, Ohio on September 19, 2001 &middot; Page 73 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/102594851/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405073320/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/102594851/ |archive-date=2017-04-05 |access-date=2017-04-04 |work=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref>

One piece of research used the game as a "tool for assessing how children worked on computers in social interactions and influence acceptance by peers in classroom interactions".<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Kientz |first1=Julie A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tdZSAgAAQBAJ&q=cluefinders&pg=PA27 |title=Interactive Technologies for Autism: A Review |last2=Goodwin |first2=Matthew |last3=Hayes |first3=Gillian R. |last4=Abowd |first4=Gregory D. |date=2013-11-01 |publisher=Morgan & Claypool Publishers |isbn=9781608456413 |language=en |access-date=2020-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420102423/https://books.google.com/books?id=tdZSAgAAQBAJ&q=cluefinders&pg=PA27#v=snippet&q=cluefinders&f=false |archive-date=2024-04-20 |url-status=live}}</ref> The ''Times Shepperton'' felt ''4th Grade'' did a "nice job of integrating the learning activities into an engaging adventure".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2000-07-28 |title=The Times from Shreveport, Louisiana on July 28, 2000 · Page 44 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/219909915/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413012110/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/219909915/ |archive-date=2019-04-13 |access-date=2019-08-06 |publisher=Newspapers.com}}</ref> ''[[Battle Creek Enquirer]]'' and ''[[The Tennessean]]'' felt ''4th Grade''{{'}}s strong sense of mystery encouraged players to learn academia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2000-11-23 |title=Battle Creek Enquirer from Battle Creek, Michigan on November 23, 2000 · Page 41 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/204580363/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412234846/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/204580363/ |archive-date=2019-04-12 |access-date=2019-08-06 |publisher=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2000-11-21 |title=The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee on November 21, 2000 · Page 60 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/112554740/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412235826/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/112554740/ |archive-date=2019-04-12 |access-date=2019-08-06 |publisher=Newspapers.com}}</ref> ''[[The Arizona Republic]]'' felt ''Search and Solve'' would intrigue children due to having the right mix of "scariness and intrigue".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona on May 8, 2001 · Page 62 |date=8 May 2001 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/124786465/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413012112/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/124786465/ |archive-date=2019-04-13 |access-date=2019-08-06 |publisher=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

''4th Grade'' received positive reviews. ''[[All Game Guide]]'' gave the game four out of five stars, writing that "the cut-scenes successfully build excitement, providing an incentive for completing the entire game [though there is no] real reason to play a second time... Gameplay is simple with an easy to use click or click-and-drag mouse control scheme, and the lack of a written manual is overcome with full explanations of all activities within the game...The game seems a delightful mix of adventure and learning". Game Vortex rated the game 80/100, saying that "''Clue Finders 4th Grade Adventure: Puzzle of the Pyramid'' is a typical edutainment game that teaches your child the ins and outs of what he or she needs to know to make it through the fourth grade". 7Wolf Magazine rated the game 70/100.

''Reading Adventures'' gave mixed reviews. Although they said that teacher reviewers were especially impressed with the reading comprehension section", they felt that "too many of the [activities] require fast-twitch gaming ability in addition to knowledge of the subject matter". Of the kids' appeal, the review stated that "the activities themselves, however, are inconsistent. While some are novel and quite educational...others are tired repeats of games seen many times over in many other programs". It concluded by saying that "this likable ''Clue Finders'' adventure provides an entertaining way for kids to practice their reading and language skills. Students who need significant help with their reading skills would do better with a more academically oriented title, and those who are not adept gamers may become frustrated with some of the activities".<ref>{{Cite web |title=SuperKids Software Review of Clue Finders Reading Adventures |url=http://www.superkids.com/aweb/pages/reviews/reading/7/cfra/merge.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220092605/http://www.superkids.com/aweb/pages/reviews/reading/7/cfra/merge.shtml |archive-date=2020-02-20 |access-date=2020-05-02 |website=SuperKids Educational Software Review}}</ref>

=== Commercial performance ===
As of 2001, the first six games have sold around 3.5 million copies.<ref name="CF-LANews" />

=== Awards and nominations ===
{{Incomplete list|date=February 2017}}
Since its creation in 1998, the ''ClueFinders'' series has won over 50 awards and accolades in three years.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=The Learning Company is Ranked #1 in Schools |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-learning-company-is-ranked--1-in-schools-71360897.html |access-date=April 5, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207112714/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-learning-company-is-ranked--1-in-schools-71360897.html |archive-date=February 7, 2017 |website=PR Newswire}}</ref> The Incredible Toy Store was an Edutaining Kids General Learning software pick of 2001. 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!Award
!Recipient
!Result
|-
|1998
|Award of Excellence
|''[[The ClueFinders 3rd Grade Adventures: The Mystery of Mathra]]''
|{{Won}}<ref name="CF-TopTen" />
|-
|1998
|Thunderbeam Web site Seal of Approval
|''[[The ClueFinders 3rd Grade Adventures: The Mystery of Mathra]]''
|{{Won}}<ref name="auto1">{{Cite press release |title=The Learning Company, Inc. Extends Its ClueFinders' Line of Grade-Based Software With 'The ClueFinders' 4th Grade Adventures' |publisher=The Learning Company Inc. |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-learning-company-inc-extends-its-cluefinders-line-of-grade-based-software-with-the-cluefinders-4th-grade-adventures-75714972.html |access-date=2017-04-04 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405165922/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-learning-company-inc-extends-its-cluefinders-line-of-grade-based-software-with-the-cluefinders-4th-grade-adventures-75714972.html |archive-date=2017-04-05}}</ref>
|-
|1998
|Children's Software Revue's All Star Software list
|''The Cluefinders 3rd Grade Adventures: The Mystery of Mathra''
|Featured<ref name="auto1" />
|-
|1998
|Parents' Choice Award - Gold Award
|''The Cluefinders Math Ages 9–12''
|{{Won}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Cluefinders' Math Ages 9-12 |url=http://www.parents-choice.org/product.cfm?product_id=269&StepNum=1&award=aw |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331025416/http://www.parents-choice.org/product.cfm?product_id=269&StepNum=1&award=aw |archive-date=2017-03-31 |access-date=2017-03-30 |website=Parents' Choice Foundation}}</ref>
|-
|1998
|Parents' Choice Award - Gold Award
|''The ClueFinders' 3rd Grade Adventures''
|{{Won}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=The ClueFinders' 3rd Grade Adventures |url=http://www.parents-choice.org/product.cfm?product_id=511&from=Riverdeep/The%20Learning%20Company |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331031332/http://www.parents-choice.org/product.cfm?product_id=511&from=Riverdeep/The%20Learning%20Company |archive-date=2017-03-31 |access-date=2017-03-30 |website=Parents' Choice Foundation}}</ref>
|-
|2002
|Parents' Choice Award - Silver Honor
|''ClueFinders: The Incredible Toy Store Adventure''
|{{Won}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=ClueFinders: The Incredible Toy Store Adventure |url=http://www.parents-choice.org/product.cfm?product_id=7085 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331030259/http://www.parents-choice.org/product.cfm?product_id=7085 |archive-date=2017-03-31 |access-date=2017-03-30 |website=Parents' Choice Foundation}}</ref>
|}

== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040612060400/http://www.cluefinders.com/ Official website] (archived)
* {{moby game|id=-group/cluefinders-series|name=''ClueFinders'' series}}
* [http://vztimg.exent.com/Prem/products/303450/manual.pdf User manual]

{{ClueFinders Series}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:ClueFinders}}
[[Category:Children's educational video games]]
[[Category:Houghton Mifflin Harcourt franchises]]
[[Category:Mystery video games]]
[[Category:Point-and-click adventure games]]
[[Category:Software for children]]
[[Category:The Learning Company games]]
[[Category:Video games featuring female protagonists]]
[[Category:Video game franchises introduced in 1998]]