Cars: Mater-National Championship (E)

Fun and accessible racing game for kids.

(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

Common Sense rates it
4
Played the game? Review it
8190_orig.jpg
details
  • Publisher: THQ
  • Genre: Video Games - Racing
  • Release Date: 10/29/2007
  • Platform(s): PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3
  • Online Enabled: No
  • ESRB Rating: E
  • Price: $39.99

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is a kid's racing game based on the Disney/Pixar film Cars and that it feels quite commercial. Dozens of locations and characters from the film are featured in the game, and there is even a pamphlet from Mattel stuffed in the packaging that advertises toy cars from the movie. The game itself is polished and very accessible to kids, providing simple controls, plenty of guidance, and customizable skill levels. Kids of elementary school age ought to be able to play without encountering many problems.

Families can talk about the concept of a world populated only with living cars. Where would they come from? Who would make them? What would a car's home look like? They can also discuss the game's themes, which include competitive camaraderie and sportsmanship. How important is it to win? Have you ever allowed a friend to win a game you could have won to let him or her feel good about his or her performance?

Message

Social Behavior:

Fosters friendly competition between two players in the console editions and up to four players in the Nintendo DS version.

Consumerism:

This game is inspired by Disney/Pixar's popular Cars movie, and features locations and characters seen in the film. It comes with a brochure from Mattel advertising dozens of toy cars that suggest kids "collect the whole gang." In-game advertising is present, but restricted to fictional brands, such as Lightyear Tires.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Educational Value:

Violence

Sex

Language

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Chad Sapieha

CARS: MATER-NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP is the second game based on Disney/Pixar's popular animated movie Cars. Players drive around spacious levels looking for challenges, which are designated by floating icons in the environment. Many of the game's activities are basic races that take place on diverse courses with a healthy variety of jumps, obstacles, and tight corners, while others are better categorized as mini-games, like one in which the player engages in a game of tag with a computer controlled car. The game has excellent value thanks to a lengthy story mode that offers rewards for placing first in every challenge (which means players will spend plenty of time racing levels over again), multiple difficulty levels that range from extremely easy to surprisingly tough, and split-screen two-player racing.

Is it any good?

4
There's little not to like about Mater-National Championship. On the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 it approaches the same level of quality in animation that Pixar presented in the movie. Car models are loaded with details and lifelike reflections. They also emote in remarkably believable ways thanks to their wonderfully expressive eyes and mouths. But, most importantly, they're fun to drive. The controls are simple and responsive, and the (mostly) wide open courses are a pleasure to cruise through.

There's not much of a story in the main mode, but that matters little; you're provided a basic reason for each race and that's enough to motivate you to press your thumbs to the metal. Earning prizes such as new cars, paintjobs, and artwork when you're doing well is just the icing on the cake. Beware, though, that in order to unlock everything in the game you'll likely need to revisit a lot of events. Cars: Mater-National Championship is relatively easy to play and finish, but beating the game to perfection will take both skill and dedication.

How to play

  • Playability: Easy. Racing controls are simple, as is course design.
  • Reading Required: Light
  • Graphics: High. The console editions could almost be mistaken for a Pixar movie.

Other choices

Support Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media is a non-profit and will receive a portion of your purchase from Pricegrabber. Learn more.

Parents and kids say

Be the first to post a review.

Log in or Register to post a review
Review It
Who's your favorite TV holiday special character?
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
100%
The Grinch
0%
Frosty the Snowman
0%
Charlie Brown
0%
Shrek
0%
4 votes