Tools for this page
Print

WALL-E

(2008, Video Games - Action/Adventure, Rated E, Play it on: Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PSP, Windows, Xbox 360)
  • 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 8, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Inventive gameplay too puzzling for younger kids.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 9 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Most of the puzzle play requires you to use logic.
  • Messages:

    Offers a bleak look at our future on Earth, and depicts humans as overweight riding on hovercrafts.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Some shooting with lasers at other robots.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Based on the WALL-E movie.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of WALL-E was written by Jinny Gudmundsen

Parents need to know that the setting of this game (which is based on the movie) creates a bleak statement of the future of Earth because it shows a world ravaged by garbage to the point of inhabitability. The gameplay is very inventive, but too hard for the target audience of kids as young as age 5 who will be seeing the movie. Because the save points are infrequent and the camera angles sometimes difficult, the game can be frustrating. Also the instructions can be sketchy or not on the screen long enough, so the game requires patience and experimentation. As a consequence, we are setting the age category for kids ages 9-up.

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 environmental message delivered in this game. What do we need to do to avoid the fate presented in the movie? What makes WALL-E, a character who doesn't talk, so appealing?
Did this review help you decide?
Do you play it? Review It!

More on WALL-E

What’s the Story?

Hollywood's new robotic darling, WALL-E, makes his video game debut in an action adventure game that is available across all platforms. Players control WALL-E, and occasionally his female love interest EVE, in nine levels of gameplay. The game recreates and expands upon the environments featured in the movie, including the wasteland of Earth as well as the gigantic spaceship called Axiom. Players relive the movie's story thorough video cutscenes, shown between the levels of play. Since each level explores a different location, the gameplay is varied. Most of the gameplay is puzzle-based, where your objective is to find ways to navigate through the terrain.

WALL-E, being a Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class robot, has the unique ability to compact trash and form it into useful cubes. Some cubes have weight that can be used to open levers. Others carry an electrical charge that can power up objects; and some are magnetic, which will affect metal objects in the scene. WALL-E can even bend into a cube shape himself and roll around so that he won't suffer damage. EVE, being an Extra-terrestrial Vegetation Evaluator, can fly and shoot with a laser. She can also lift up WALL-E and fly him to places he can't reach on his own. These special abilities of WALL-E and EVE create exciting gameplay, particularly as they interact with environments full of moving platforms, explosive containers, and other robots and humans. Some of these puzzles are unique, including one where you need to roll WALL-E into a box shape and have him dislodge explosive barrels that roll into a giant robot blocking your way. Taking control of EVE to fly through tunnels produces an adrenaline rush because you are moving so fast. Multiplayer games also create some fun split-screen competitions for up to four players.< Close

Is It Any Good?

But all is not hunky dory in this video game based on movie geared at young kids. While the first level seems easy enough for kids as young as 7 to play, the difficulty rachets up quickly in the remaining eight levels. Plus the infrequent checkpoints -- the place where the game saves your progress and returns you to that point when you fail -- create a frustration that younger kids might just walk away from. Instructions can, at times, be hard to read because they are flashed too quickly on the screen or are inadequate, and camera angles can be a little tricky when you are trying to figure out where to jump to next. These factors make us set the age appropriateness at 9, instead of the movie's intended audience of younger kids. Close

Publisher’s Details

Released on 06/24/2008, price $20-50, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Do you play it? Review It!

  • What did you think about WALL-E?
  •  I think this game is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review
See all 8 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 2.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models
    • Safety isn't an issue
    • Easy to play

    Not that good you should tell your kid to save their money on something else

    I think it is pretty bad because unless you like throwing boxes of garbage it's bad.

  2. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 3.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Safety isn't an issue

    Fun, short game for WALL-E fans.

    When you said the movie was intended for younger children, I lost all respect for your review Jinny. I'm sorry to say that, but as an animation major that really upset me. WALL-E was a movie created for all ages. In fact, if you wanna get technical, younger audiences have trouble understanding it often. Animation is a medium, not an age bracket. Thank you. Anyways, I played the PS2 version and had a lot of fun, though it took me only half a day to beat, and the unlockables weren't exciting enough to make me wanna shoot for them and extend me game time. A great game for fans, but renting it first may be a good idea. Non fans, as usual when it comes to licensed games, will probably find more fun in other platformers.

  3. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 1.0

    missing platform

    FYI According to the online Apple Store. This is also available for Mac OS, but is not listed as a platform.

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0

    good game

    i like the game it is a very good game

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 2.0

    Another movie game...

    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

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Age-apropriate 3-D food adventure doesn't fully satisfy.

  • Advice for Parents

    Are Your Kids Obsessed with Twilight & New Moon?

    Are Your Kids Obsessed with Twilight & New Moon?

    Discussion pointers for parents of "twilighters."

  • Book of the Week

    Lips Touch Three Times

    Lips Touch Three Times

    Wildly inventive, wonderful fairy tales for mature teens.

  • Member Buzz

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Is it easier for parents to communicate with their kids via text?

  • Download This

    The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack

    The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack

    Dark, cool tunes OK for kids too young for the movie.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name