Tools for this page
Dinosaur King
(2008, Video Games - Cards, Rated E, Play it on: Nintendo DS)
-
Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 6, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 7. -
Is it any good?
-
Common Sense says
A Pokemon-style collection/fight game with dinos.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 7 and Up
The good stuff
-
Educational value:
What to watch out for
-
Violence & scariness:
-
Language:
-
Consumerism:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Dinosaur King was written by Harold Goldberg
Parents need to know that this is a Pokemon-inspired game that imparts some knowledge about dinosaurs as you collect them. While there is violence, you never see blood or even the dinosaurs hitting each other.
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 what it would be like to use dinosaurs to save the world. Which prehistoric beast would you use to help the world out of a jam? Could you use a dinosaur around the house to help you with your chores? Which one? Would a dinosaur make a good pet? Why? Why not?
More on Dinosaur King
What’s the Story?
Imagine video game executives sitting around a table, making pitches. One says, How about Pokemon meets dinosaurs? And the crowd goes wild! As the latest riff on Pokemon-style game play, DINOSAUR KING tells the story of TV cartoon heroes Max and Rex as they traverse the globe to collect and trade over 100 dinosaurs with 240 special moves. Oh, they also save the world from the evil Alpha Gang, who have stolen a DinoShot, a fancy gadget that brings dinosaurs to life.
Basically, the game is a save-the-world RPG that uses collectible dinosaur cards to fight against other dinosaurs. You use the touch screen to pit dinosaur versus dinosaur in a Rock-Paper-Scissor-type game, with the ensuing bloodless battle shown in nice detail on the top screen. The game has one terrific twist on the old collect 'em all premise that is Pokemon's trademark. By scratching the screen with your stylus, you mimic digging and uncover dinosaur fossils. You even blow lightly into the DS mic to rid the bones of dust, a fun touch that's somehow realistic.
CloseIs It Any Good?
As you move from country to country to collect dinosaurs, you talk to fearful folk who've been dealing with nasty dinosaurs wreaking havoc. Then you use a good dinosaur you've collected to fight the reptile that's causing trouble. But this concept becomes dull after a while as do the admittedly detailed and life-like animations in the top screen.
Dinosaur King has some true positives going for it: well-rounded characters with personality, triumphant trumpets sounding your kingliness and the aforementioned ability to dig fossils. Plus, you can play wirelessly against folks who have another DS and via a WiFi connection. But it's just too much like Pokemon to make it seem completely new. Plus, you have to do your own saving constantly, which is a royal pain. The Dinosaur Encyclopedia just doesn't have enough interesting dino facts to warrant the name. Finally, you wish the battle system had a bit more variety and nuance to it.
ClosePublisher’s Details
Released on 09/23/2008, price $29.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E (for Fantasy Violence)
ESRB rating: E (for Fantasy Violence)
Our Members Say
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.Tell us your child's age:
Already a member? Log inFor Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
openmindeddad recommends:
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
for kids age 14
See more from openmindedda ...
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
for kids age 14
See more from openmindedda ...
