It's really fun, allowing you to drive in a sandbox environment crashing into anything, which is fun you know! Even if you get slightly effected in your early years, you still have ages to learn that that's not the right thing! Did I mention the crashes are awesome?
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Burnout Paradise
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 10, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 10. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Intense racer where harsh crashes dominate.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 10–17
The good stuff
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Educational value:
What to watch out for
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What Parents Need to Know
This review of Burnout Paradise was written by Brett Molina
Parents need to know that reckless driving dominates the action in this game and that it is glorified. Players are rewarded for driving in oncoming traffic, slamming into other vehicles, and creating overall citywide carnage. Parents of new teen drivers might want to consider a recent study which suggests that playing some racing games can increase one's willingness to take risks while driving in real life. Collision carnage is shown in great detail, but no person is ever shown injured. Advertising is rampant within this game, as the city is littered with billboards, vehicles, and other signs of sponsorship. This game also features an online component which allows for chat so that kids will be exposed to whatever other online racers care to say. In addition, kids can attach cameras to take photos during the gameplay that can be shared online during the game.
Families Can Talk About
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- Families can talk about the appeal of this type of driving game. What makes a title focused on reckless driving so entertaining? How do these compare to the more realistic racing titles? Do you think there is any connection between playing this kind of game and becoming more reckless when driving in real life?
More on Burnout Paradise
What’s the Story?
The Burnout franchise has never been about going out for a leisurely drive. Really, only one rule of the road exists: Create mass highway carnage. BURNOUT PARADISE takes Criterion Games' concept a step further, replacing the linear driving campaign with the open road world of Paradise City. Players can navigate a large map, choosing their own path to conquering this large metropolis. Each stoplight in Paradise City represents a different event. Challenges vary from races to road rage, with the latter being an event where you must wreck a specific number of opposing cars. In Stunt Run, you'll speed over ramps and through billboards to rack up points. Each victory earns you points on your license. After completing a certain number of challenges, you'll get an upgrade.
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Is It Any Good?
For kids old enough to know that reckless driving only has a place in video games and not in real life, this game can be an exciting fantasy to explore. Cars are categorized based on speed, strength, and stunt ability. This also determines how to increase their boost meters. Stronger cars, for example, will use an aggression boost meter which rises with overly assertive driving. The natural fallout of this aggressive driving are the explosive crashes. Wrecks look cinematic, as glass shards and chunks of metal shoot across in slow-motion before the full effects of your collision are realized.
Burnout Paradise's greatest achievement is eradicating almost all down time. Load screens and menus are rarely seen. Cars can zip into repair shops and gas stations with no break in action. And if you want to move online, a quick flip of the directional pad takes you to Freeburn Mode. Players attempt to top each other in a variety of small challenges, like farthest jump or most near misses of other vehicles. Multiplayer could have been perfected with a wider array of events and an offline two-player option. But those are small dents in the finish of Burnout Paradise.
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Publisher’s Details
Released on 01/22/2008, price $59.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E10+ (for Language and violence.)
ESRB rating: E10+ (for Language and violence.)
Our Members Say
See all 15 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 4 and give it
Great for all!
- I rate this title on for age 6 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive consumerism
- My highlights are:
- Safety isn't an issue
- Easy to play
Brilliant game for all ages.
The game is easy to play, and has beautiful visuals. once you get into this game, you won't want to get back out! My only problem is that every so often, the van that you are shown smashing into in slo-mo says "Gilette" on the side. Razors and toothpaste with my fast cars? No, thank you.
- I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
- Safety isn't an issue
- Easy to play
LOVE IT!!!! This is probably the best racing game that has been developed since 2000 that isn't bad in anyway (except the crashing part, but where are there and convinetly placed billboards to crash thru, and landing jumps like that is physically impossible, everyone knows that)
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Easy to play
Older Kids (8-9)
This game is awesome. The crashes aren't graphic at all. If you crazy-weird parents think that this game is graphic then you need to check out Grand Theft Auto IV.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Awesome game
This is a cool car game with crashing and racing. i
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