Battle of the Bands

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Clever rhythm game with some iffy lyrics.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is a simple yet satisfying music rhythm game. The licensed songs are ones you might find on radio, so prepare to hear mild lyrics and the occassional subtle drug or alcohol reference. Expect some cartoonish violence as well, with the presence of band "attacks" like lightning strikes.

  • Not applicable.
  • Cartoonish violence represented through "attacks" at rivals using an array of strikes, including lightning bolts, missiles, and fireballs.
  • Not applicable.
  • Most of the songs can be found on the radio. Occasionally, you may hear subtle references to sex, drugs, and alcohol.
  • Not applicable.
  • Subtle drug and alcohol references appear in some of the songs.

What's it about?

Hoping to strike the same success as Guitar Hero and Rock Band, THQ unveils BATTLE OF THE BANDS, a clever rhythm game best enjoyed in brief sessions. Players choose between 11 bands representing five styles of music: Rock, Hip-Hop, Country, Marching Band, and Ranchero.


Is it any good?

 

Instead of relying on instruments, Battle of the Bands requires you to time flourishes of the Nintendo Wii's remote with notes traveling down a vertical track. For example, you'll flick left for notes on the left, and tap down for notes in the middle. The goal is to outscore your opponent. An intriguing twist is the ability to launch attacks at opposing bands. When you play a set of notes consecutively, an attack will travel down the track. Time the note properly and you'll fire lightning bolts, fire, and other attacks. You can also block oncoming attacks, preventing your opponent from scoring major points.

As you duel, portions of each song flip between genres. Don't be surprised to hear the marching band and country group perform alternate interpretations of a hip-hop song. Players can choose between a Versus Mode or an Adventure Mode (a short and simple single-player effort.) While the tunes are varied, the visuals are incredibly bland. There's little color, and attacks are often performed with small explosions and little fanfare. Also, because most songs only require the same three or four movements throughout, the action can grow repetitive, unless you're playing in short chunks.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about the rise in popularity of rhythm games. What makes games like this or Rock Band, for example, so engrossing?


This review was written by Brett Molina
Teen, 17 years old
February 20, 2009
 
i barly played it but its fun!
the game has my dads favorite song. Insane in the brain. when i get home im going to play it for hours.

Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 12 years old
April 21, 2010
 
Not like Guitar Hero
OK game. Most people will mistake it for some type of Guitar Hero so they need to be careful when choosing to play the game. The game does eventually get boring and the controls are a little too easy it is also very short.

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This review was written by Brett Molina
Platforms:Nintendo Wii
Available online?Not available online
Genre:Music
Developer:THQ
Release date:April 22, 2008
Price:$49.99
ESRB rating:T for Alcohol Reference, Mild Cartoon Violence, Mild Lyrics

This review was written by Brett Molina

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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