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The Polar Express
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 6, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Poor "save" feature dooms well-conceived game.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 8 and Up
The good stuff
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Educational value:
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of The Polar Express was written by Jinny Gudmundsen
Parents need to know that this game has all the trappings of a great children's video game, but it may frustrate young players.
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- Families can talk about whether they enjoyed this game. Did you find the repetition frustrating, or did you enjoy retracing your steps? Which activities did you enjoy most?
More on The Polar Express
What’s the Story?
Is It Any Good?
The Polar Express video game has all the trappings of a great children's video game: terrific graphics, seamless integration of video sequences from the movie with the gameplay, memorable characters, and whimsically fun games and puzzles. It's too bad this well-conceived game is hampered by a poorly designed "save" feature. Instead of letting kids savor their victories, multiple activities are tied together with one "save" point. Frequently, the last activity is so difficult that children must replay it several times, forcing them to repeat the previous three or four activities as well.
Several of the Mini games are extremely difficult to win. Although targeted at younger gamers, the frustration level will be too high for kids ages 5 to 7. Older, more experienced gamers will find this challenging game interesting to explore, although they will suffer some frustration from the forced repetition.
ClosePublisher’s Details
Released on 12/20/2004, price $20, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E
ESRB rating: E
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- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
gets your brain to thinking
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