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Active Life: Extreme Challenge (Wii)

common sense media says

Kids get active doing extreme sports in less-robust sequel.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is a compilation of sports games played on the Wii using a special mat controller. The game can be purchased with the Active Life Mat Controller, or separately if you already own an Active Life Mat Controller (which came bundled with last year's Active Life: Outdoor Challenge). The game requires physical movements to play so it will get kids up off the couch and moving. One game smacks of poor sportsmanship by letting you purposefully throw rocks down on your rock-climbing competitor. This compilation isn't as innovative as last year's title, with some of the games seeming repetitious.

Positive messages: Many of these extreme sports are very dangerous in real life, and yet this game leaves the impression that you will never get hurt. Also one game sends the message that it is OK to throw rocks down on someone else to slow their rock-climbing progress -- a message that is clearly one of bad sportmanship.
Positive role models: The kids in this game are shown as enjoying sports and they encourage you to get up and move. However, in one game, you can throw rocks down on you rock-climbing opponent.
Ease of play: All the games come with a short video showing you how to play, but even so, some are hard to figure out at first. Others have complicated controls making those games difficult for young children to play.
Violence & scariness: In one of the rock climbing events, you can throw rocks down on your opponent to make him fall. No one is ever hurt, however. In another activity, if you misjudge deploying your parachute, a hole appears in the ground and you see dust, but again, no injury is shown.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
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More on Active Life: Extreme Challenge

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about why playing active games is important for your health.
  • How important is your avatar to you in this game. Did you take the time to bring your own Miis into the game? Did that make it feel more personal to you?
  • Last year's version – Active Life: Outdoor Challenge – contained a lot of cooperative games for two people to play. This one does not, but offers plenty of competitive play. Which do you prefer? Why?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Kids can pretend that they are playing extreme sports like street luge, base jumping, rock climbing, BMX racing, kite-surfing, skateboarding, inline skating, jump roping, and wakeboarding by checking out ACTIVE LIFE: EXTREME CHALLENGE. Kids play versions of these extreme sports by using an Active Life Mat Controller, which is similar to the dance pads used in the DDR games. By stepping, sitting, or hitting symbols with your hands, kids simulate the extreme sports. Some games also incorporate the use of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk. One child alone, or two together can check out the games, unlocking content as they go.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Expectations were high for this title since it is a sequel to the 5-star-rated Active Life: Outdoor Challenge, one of the best video games for kids in 2008. This game isn't quite as good as the first game in the series. Unlike the first game which offered 16 unique sports, this one only has nine (but comes with variations). Also missing is the a cooperative mode and the Exercise Training mode. And some of the controls aren't all that easy.

What Active Life: Extreme Challenge does do well is get kids moving. In one of the BMX challenges, you have to run in place to get your bike to speed ahead. To jump rope, you have to jump on the mat at just the right time to correspond with the rope being swung on the screen. And rock climbing will have you kneeling in the front of the mat, while wilding hitting symbols with your hands to simulate climbing up a rock face. The Bottom Line: If you don't already own Active Life: Outdoor Challenge, buy that game instead of Active Life: Extreme Challenge. If you already own the first game, then Extreme Challenge is a fun way to breathe some life into using the Active Life Mat Controller again.

Game themes & details

Game Details
Available on: Nintendo Wii
Not available online
Genre: Exergaming
Developer: Namco Bandai
Released on: August 11, 2009
Price: 40-$60
ESRB Rating: E for Comic Mischief
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This review was written by Jinny Gudmundsen
 
 

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tangled
teen, 14 years old
4
 
I didn't like it. The games weren't fun to play, and the mat doesn't seen to work very well (why are they using it anyway? Theres a Wii balance board, which picks up way more movement than this.) The game got very boring very fast. I have to admit, it did get my heart beating faster than Wii Fit,,,
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