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Burnout Paradise

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 10, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 10.

  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Intense racer where harsh crashes dominate.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 10–17

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    This is a game about how NOT to drive.

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Players are encouraged to drive dangerously. You earn rewards for driving in oncoming traffic, nearly missing vehicles or forcing cars to crash.
  • Violence:

    Some crashes will elicit a cringe, but nothing graphic. This is violence involving machines, not humans.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Songs play in the background, some with edgy lyrics, but they are the kind typically found on the radio.
  • Consumerism:

    Advertisements litter the landscape. Diesel and Gillette are among the companies who advertise on billboards, vehicles and other city landmarks.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

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

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • 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?
Did this review help you decide?

OK for Your Kids to Play?

Do you play it? Review It!

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.

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.

Publisher’s Details

Developer: Electronic Arts
Released on: 01/22/2008, Price: $59.99, not online enabled
ESRB Rating: E10+ for Language and violence.

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Easy to play

    E for a reason

    why is the main line have not age appropriate until 10 and iffy to 17+. I strongly beleive that kids after the age of six can crash cars. and if you look close there is no one in the cars! there is no iffy stuff for teens if im 12, awesome game!

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Easy to play

    just got it for chrismas with my new ps3 great graphics and easy to play very fun game to play so get it

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Easy to play

    Good for teens and tweens as well.

    This game is great, plain and simple. No language, no alcohol or drugs and nothing big to worry about. Although, parents should let their kids know that this is not the way to drive. Even though some of the driving action in the can be imitated, it's not really an issue. I would recommend this game for teen players.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 5.0

    Great for all!

    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?

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0
    • My 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.

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