Go Diego Go! a Review of Diego's Talking Rescue Center

Go Diego, go! I was cheering for Diego and Diego's Talking Rescue Center when I spotted featured at the end of the aisle at Target. The large box with pictures of Diego, animal friends, and a rescue platform resembling a large treehouse, caught my eye and I thought that it would be the perfect gift for any five year-old, animal-loving child. In some ways, this is true, but Diego's Rescue Center does have some serious design flaws.

Diego's Talking Rescue Center

1. There are several small plastic accessories included with the main rescue center. Five animals (snake,cheetah, cat, parrot and monkey)can be used for the "rescues."

2. The actual raised platform and rescue center base is plastic and connected by four plastic support poles. A few other plastic pieces snap onto the rescue center.
The structural design of this toy is severely flawed! The poles do not fit in securely and the rescue center is prone to falling apart.

3. Diego has a small helicopter that attaches to the top of the rescue center with a button that will prompt it to swing around. Diego and the helicopter have had several crashes when the connector has disconnected. A rescue ATV is also included.

4. This is a talking toy. Diego's Talking Rescue Center requires 3 AA batteries to keep it announcing rescue commands, songs, and phrases. There is also a talking computer command center and flashing light included.

5. Additional features include a small elevator to reach the top of the center, and a plastic vine swing. A rescue cord is included for Diego to and swing down from the top level. All of these features lack stability

6. The Nick Jr. Play to Learn philosophy is featured on the front of the box. Diego's Talking Rescue Center is supposed to encourage learning through play.

Kid Tested

My son's creativity saved this toy from becoming a purchase of regret. There are serious structural flaws and the parts seem to fall apart everyday. This toy would have been much better if it had been constructed as one solid piece, like many of the Fisher-Price type Little People toys.