im not joking the role models save the helpless and defeat the evil. no blood no gore. THe messages tell you things like help people. Good for most 8 year olds
Kung Fu Panda
(2008, Video Games - Action/adventure, Rated E10+, Play it on: Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Movie-based kid combat best on Xbox and PS3.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 10 and Up
The good stuff
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Educational value:
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Kung Fu Panda was written by Erin Bell
Parents need to know that players don't necessarily have to have seen the movie to appreciate the game. Although the game focuses on fighting (thus earning it an E 10+ rating) and emphasizes the idea of fighting as a way to prove yourself, the player is always presented as the "good guy," whether it's saving bunnies and turtles from harassment from gang members, or defending a temple from robbers. When an enemy is vanquished, their bodies disappear in little wisps of smoke.
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 history of kung fu and its various forms, some of which were vaguely referenced in the game (such as Tiger, Monkey, and Crane). After playing the game, do kids think it might be fun or useful to learn a martial art?
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More on Kung Fu Panda
What’s the Story?
KUNG FU PANDA is a video game based on the animated movie of the same name where Po the panda, a lowly waiter in his dad's noodle restaurant, dreams of being a kung fu master like his heroes, the Furious Five. When an unlikely series of events finds Po named the next Dragon Warrior, he must hone his kung fu skills to not only prove that he is worthy of the honor, but to defeat the evil Tai Lung, who wants the title for himself.
Given the film's kung fu theme, the game has a decent excuse for featuring combat so prominently in the gameplay. Po is pitted against wave after wave of bad guys from different gangs (like the boars, crocodiles, and so on). The panda has a number of kicks, punches, and special moves at his disposal, and players also occasionally get to step into the shoes of the Furious Five characters to take advantage of special abilities like Master Crane's ability to fly. The game generally tackles fighting with an over-the-top, humorous approach that frequently pokes fun at Po's lazy attitude and less-than-athletic physique. Levels might also contain door switch puzzles, sinking platforms, ledge-climbing, rope-walking, and other challenges. Finally, a multiplayer mode lets up to four friends compete against each other in mini-games like target shooting and four-on-four brawling.
Is It Any Good?
Buyers be warned that although the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii versions of Kung Fu Panda all cost the same ($49.99), the games are not created equal. While the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions, both of which were developed by Luxoflux, are perfectly playable and even enjoyable, the Wii version (created by a different developer, Xpec) is vastly inferior. All three games have the same levels and content, but the Wii version seems like a phoned-in effort with painfully awkward controls, poor hit detection, badly mixed audio, and noticeably lower quality graphics.
Publisher’s Details
Developer: Activision
Released on: 6/3/2008, Price: $20 - $50, not online enabled
ESRB Rating: E10+ for Fantasy Violence, Mild Language
Released on: 6/3/2008, Price: $20 - $50, not online enabled
ESRB Rating: E10+ for Fantasy Violence, Mild Language
Our Members Say
See 9 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
- Safety isn't an issue
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
- Safety isn't an issue
- Easy to play
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Kids ages: 9, 11
I rate this title on for age 7 and give it- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Really cute story line (adventure mixed with challenges and combat fighting). I let my two boys play it at age 7 and 9 and felt very comfortable with that. Combat is not over the top & the characters are cartoons. Aligators and other enemies might be scary for some 6 year olds (if impress.) but probably not. Not any more violent than some cartoons we grew up with except that I think there is a difference in a video game where your child is the active participant and aggressor. With that said though, no death and characters are cute even when defeated or hit, it doesnt seem like they are violently damaged (just defeated). Over all, I highly recommend. Cute story, cute (and cool) characters who are role models (panda saves villagers from bullies, protects objects from getting stollen and returns them, etc). I limit video game playing (try, but this game is addictive, b/c it is so good) and make the kids spend at least some time on weekends doing other activities (board games, sports, family activities, reading, kid's events) to try to provide balance.
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
- Safety isn't an issue
- Easy to play
perfect for anybody
They should try it
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I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
Another movie gaame
Ya know...games baced on movies are never sooo great. I mean, Its not like the movie and usuly has bad game play. So I got to say...spend your money on Wii fit or Wii Play if your looking for a family game
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Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 100% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 100% | of parents say it's too violent |
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