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Trauma Center: Second Opinion

(2006, Video Games - Simulation, Rated T, Play it on: Nintendo Wii)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 12.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Medical simulation game is bloody but educational.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 12–14

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Hand-eye coordination, planning, memorization, and concentration are mandatory and rewarded.
  • Messages:

    Excellent role-model for doctor/patient care. Emphasis on empathy, professionalism, and doing a job right for a cause greater than oneself.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    The only violence comes from making mistakes during surgery. Presentation is tasteful, but there is a lot of blood. And the gooey inside of the body, including things like tumors and broken bones, are on display.
  • Sex:

    Some flirting in the storyline. This game is tasteful and respectful of the human body.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Medical drugs, but most are fanciful (instant healing jelly, for example).
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Trauma Center: Second Opinion was written by Andrew Bub

Parents need to know that this medical simulation game presents the body and problems with it in a graphic and honest manner. This isn't a good choice for kids who are squeamish around blood because it's full of it. It can also be disturbing when you injure a patient. Using a Wii controller, players simulate the skills required to be a good doctor. The game is tasteful and respectful, but parents should know that it isn't 100 percent realistic. Ultimately, it's a timed puzzle game.

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 medical problems that can affect the human body and the procedures and skills required to fix it. Patching patients up and earning the praise of the nursing staff can make players proud of what they have accomplished. Do you think this is how doctors feel? Does this game make you want to be a doctor or nurse?
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More on Trauma Center: Second Opinion

What’s the Story?

TRAUMA CENTER: SECOND OPINION casts the player in the role of a hotshot young surgeon out to save lives in a soap opera world of Japanese anime -- think General Hospital crossed with House. The Wii nunchuk thumbstick is used to choose instruments, while the remote acts as a scalpel, syringe, and even a needle that lets you stitch a wound closed. Trauma Center: Second Opinion is a surgical game, so it's bloody and features the gooey inside of the body, including things like tumors and broken bones. While operating, you are constantly aware of the beeping heart monitor, which can be very nerve-wracking. Close

Is It Any Good?

The game is tasteful and respectful of the human body. One of the main recurring themes involves nurses scolding our hero for being too callous or not paying attention. Young players will learn a lot about anatomy and basic surgical procedure. Memorization of steps is the key to keeping patients alive on the table during long, grueling surgeries late in the game.

But there's enough fantasy and even science fiction at hand here to make the game feel like ER crossed with the board game Operation, from Milton Bradley. While the setting is not realistic, the still pictures and anime characters are well done. It's all very clever and satisfying, it gives a "futuristic doctor" feeling that's a thrill, and one that is unique in gaming. It makes you wonder if, one day, real surgery will be performed remotely like this.

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Publisher’s Details

Released on 11/14/2006, price $49.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: T (for blood, mild language, mild violence)

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See all 9 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in North Carolina
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0

    It was awesome!!!!!!

    one of the best wii games even though im stuck on episode 3-6 its awesome

  2. I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 5.0

    Love it

    I love this game. It was one of the first games I got when I got the Wii for Xmas. There's a lot of blood, but that's because you're dealing with the human body. And there's medical terrorism-ish stuff too. There is some flirting, and at one point, a person says something sexual that I will NOT repeat. The language is mostly from one person too. It's a pretty good game overall.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Michigan
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Michigan
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Really fun

    This game is super fun. It is my favorite wii game and I love every level. It teaches you about the human body. It is sorta blood and some parts are kinda hard to look at, but it is soooooooo much fun!!!:)

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