I love this game myself. All adults that like racing games will. But this game is heavily focused on gang like behavior. Unlike the Need for Speed franchise for example, where there are only hints of gang like behavior. It presents a very "Fast and the Furious" type street racing scene. This game was made by Rockstar Games (who most notably created Grand Theft Auto) and therefore parents of younger kids should watch out. Another thing to watch out for is that this game is exceedingly difficult and may frustrate some kids (or adults... it makes me mad sometimes). Highlights of the game are car variety and car customization. You can build some awesome street machines or beautiful classic muscle cars (you should see my old Challenger in it). Overall... it's a great racing game. But, the messages it sends means it is not for younger kids.
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Midnight Club: Los Angeles
(2008, Video Games - Racing, Rated T)
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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 15, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 16. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Gorgeous-looking racer shuns all traffic laws.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 16–18
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 Midnight Club: Los Angeles was written by Chad Sapieha
Parents need to know that the focus of this game is illegal street racing. Players careen through the streets of a realistic looking representation of Los Angeles with little regard for the property damage they cause or the people they narrowly miss running over (the game's makers have made it impossible to actually strike a pedestrian with a car). 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. Players also engage in virtual gambling activities, wagering money and authentic cars that have been licensed to appear in the game by real-world manufacturers. The language used by characters isn't particularly offensive, but the background music includes lyrics that some people will find objectionable.
Families Can Talk About
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- Families can talk about the dangers of street racing. Do you have any friends who street race? What is it about this potentially lethal activity that they find appealing? Some municipalities have gone so far as to pass legislation that gives police the right to permanently confiscate the cars and revoke the licenses of drivers they catch street racing. Do you think such measures are an effective deterrent? Why do you think street racing drivers don't choose to pursue a legal form of amateur or professional racing instead?
More on Midnight Club: Los Angeles
What’s the Story?
MIDNIGHT CLUB: LOS ANGELES, the latest entry in Rockstar Games' eight-year-old street racing franchise, puts players in the shoes of a daredevil driver who slips behind the wheels of customized cars to race through the streets of Los Angeles, from the city's downtown skyscrapers through Hollywood and Beverly Hills all the way to the beaches of Santa Monica. The goal of the game is to increase your driver's reputation and fatten his wallet by winning races so you can buy new rides, trick out the cars you already own, enter more challenging races, and become a street legend.
While the game's illegal street racing action will be a turn off for some players, others will delight in the game's delicious sense of speed and realistic settings. Careening at lethal speeds through the streets of L.A. requires completely focused attention and deft hand/eye coordination; you can't hit pedestrians (the game's makers have seen to that), but you can still crash spectacularly into buildings and other cars. Some races can be very difficult, but as you explore the city you will find no shortage of events and challenges to enter, ranging from simple checkpoint races and tournaments to jobs that require you to deliver vehicles undamaged to your garage's customers or cause damage to the vehicles of those customers who fail to make their payments. You can even create your own race routes in the race editor mode.
CloseIs It Any Good?
Regardless of one's taste for street racing, it's difficult to fault Midnight Club: Los Angeles for its presentation. The city architecture looks lovely, as do the cars, but the real treat is a dynamic camera that is capable of seamlessly zooming from street level to a bird's eye view of the city in a split second. It's not just eye candy; this trick offers the very practical benefit of providing a clearer perspective of the city's layout and the locations of various goals, all without pulling the player out of the game world. Expect to see this neat feature pop up in other games.
The game's only real downfall is that, despite its thrilling races and undeniably high production values, it can become a little monotonous. Whether you're playing online or locally, behind the wheel of a car or the handlebars of a motorcycle, racing against someone or trying to drive them off the road, everything boils down to driving really fast through the same city over and over again. As complaints go it's not a particularly bad one. Still, unless you have an extraordinary passion for fast driving, your attention will likely start to wane well before you've done everything this lengthy racer has to offer.
ClosePublisher’s Details
Released on 10/20/2008, price $59.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: T (for T – Mild Suggestive Themes, Mild Violence, Strong Lyrics)
ESRB rating: T (for T – Mild Suggestive Themes, Mild Violence, Strong Lyrics)
Our Members Say
See all 13 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give itMy concerns are:
- Negative role models
Great for about 14-15+
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Easy to play
This game is great my 13 yearold son plays it and so do I we have conversations about the consequences of reckless driving and he has even begun to critisize some of my driving it will teach them good behavior on the road
These reviews say that language is a problem in this game but I have played the other ones to there not much better the third midnight club that came out a while back has some song lyrics that are kind of suggestive and 2 or 3 songs cuss but that's it so if u have a kid whose 12 or 13 or 14 just explain to them the consequences of reckless driving and gambling the explosions in this game would also help teach why u wouldn't drive recklessly if the explosions ever happened you would surely die but the fact that there is no gore is a major up I completely recommend thus game to anyone who is a fan of racing games and to any body who loves cars
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Easy to play
Great game for tweens who enjoy racing games
I don't understand how this game can rated so high that classifies with other games where you can shoot or kill people. This is just a simple racing game that takes place on the streets. The fact that you can't hit pedestrians or barely destroy any of the "property" items makes it a harmless racing game. This game could be easily comparable to Burnout Paradise except that it focuses more on customization.
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
- Easy to play
16+??! LOL, what the hell?
I'm not even sure what to say about that...
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Safety isn't an issue
- Easy to play
good for any age
good game no sex, no violence, and no drugs, just mild language
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Ratings at a Glance
| 67% | of parents say kids find it easy to play |
| 33% | of parents say it's educational |
| 33% | of parents don't feel there are good role models |
| 33% | of parents don't think the messages are positive |
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