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Band Hero

(2009, Video Games - Music, Rated E10+, Play it on: Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo DSi)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Great party game for music-loving families.

In this game kids can:   create an avatar, improve hand-eye coordination, play music

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

The good stuff

  • Ease of play:

    Those familiar with rhythm games will pick this one up right away, but it can get challenging on the harder settings.

     

  • Educational value:

    These games encourage musical understanding, appreciation, and collaboration.

  • Messages:

    The game encourages musical understanding, appreciation, and collaboration, plus this game features many family-friendly songs.

  • Role models:

    You are a musician playing within a band.
 

What to watch out for

  • Online interaction:

    Players can jam online with others, which means they can communicate with one another. This might be an issue for some parents because this interaction can be unpredictable.

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.

  • Sex:

    Some of the female avatars dress in tube tops or low-riding jeans, but there is no nudity. Some lyrics infer sexual behavior.

  • Language:

    The odd off-color word, such as "damn" or "hell," can be heard, plus some potentially offensive lyrics for young ears, such as "makin' love" and "lets burn these sheets down to the seams."

  • Consumerism:

    The game features well-known songs by classic and contemporary bands, which promotes them, of course, plus the instrument manufacturers get plugs, too.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Some lyrics refer to alcohol, such as Don McLean's American Pie: "And them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye."

     

 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Band Hero was written by Marc Saltzman

Parents need to know Band Hero is a music game with more family-friendly content compared to the songs found in the harder-edged Guitar Hero and DJ Hero games. Aside from a few sparse words that might raise an eyebrow, this game is great for kids of all ages. Some female characters move their body in a sexy way or show some "skin" but it's quite tame.

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 whether music games have run its course. Is the market over-saturated with dozens of rhythm games, sequels, downloadable content, and a pile of plastic peripherals? Could Band Hero be more innovative or do gamers want more of the same?
  • Why do you see musical instruments from real world companies in this game? Why do companies want to sell to kids?
Did this review help you decide?
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More on Band Hero

What’s the Story?

Rock, pop, country, and folk come together in BAND HERO, the latest in Activision’s mega-successful rhythm game franchises, following Guitar Hero and DJ Hero. As the name suggests, Band Hero lets you play guitar, bass, drums, or sing -- using plastic peripherals that resemble real-life instruments – to a set list of more than 60 No. 1 hits. Examples of the diverse set of tunes include Taylor Swift’s Love Story, Don McLean’s American Pie, Jackson 5’s ABC and Evanescence’s Bring Me To Life. Activision has added more social play options to encourage cooperative or competitive jamming -- in the same room or over the Internet -- including the ability for multiple gamers to play the same instrument, such as having two drummers and two guitarists or four singers (and an all-new karaoke-style Sing-Along mode helps there, too). Close

Is It Any Good?

Yes, but it’s no secret the market is saturated with these rhythm games -- not to mention family rooms piled high with plastic peripherals. But Band Hero attempts to stand out in its eclectic selection of hits, new playable characters (Maroon 5’s Adam Levin and Taylor Swift) and additional party modes for friends and family. Plus, the game lets you import songs from other games, such as Guitar Hero 5 (though it’s too bad it’ll cost a few dollars for the privilege). If you’re not yet burned out by these games and like the diverse set of songs and modes, Band Hero should be music to your ears.


Note: The Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game play out the same, but the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS versions offer some interoperability including the ability for Nintendo DS/DSi owners to change the band’s set list on the fly (on the Nintendo Wii), along with Wii/DS guitar competitions. Nintendo Wii owners can also import their Mii character in a freestyle mode.

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Publisher’s Details

Released on 11/3/2009, price $49.99 and up, online enabled
ESRB rating: E10+ (for Lyrics, Mild Suggestive Themes)

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    KY_TEEN
    Lives in Kentucky
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism

    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models
    • Safety isn't an issue
    • Easy to play

    PICK IT UP NOW!

    Any GH Game is GREAT!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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