 | 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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree
- Nintendo Wii
- Price: $49.99
- Genre: Party
Common Sense Media says
Thinking games become a party activity on the Wii.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this game makes kids think. And it's fun to boot! It's best experienced as a group (or with a larger group divided into teams), and is a good choice for multi-generational play and for those just getting into the Wii. On the hardest level, one of the math games expects players to know negative numbers, so don't start this game with kids who are too young.
What's it about?
BIG BRAIN ACADEMY: WII DEGREE is a sequel to Big Brain Academy, the hit 2006 Nintendo DS title that put players through brain-teasing paces as students at Big Brain Academy. Dr. Lobe, the graduation-cap-wearing, ghost-like moderator from the original Big Brain Academy, greets all incoming students; he acts as your guide, but he will also goad you into playing his brainteaser games with some amusing malarkey about building a heavier brain. The game boils down to a collection of Mini games that be played alone or in a group. You can also send your training scores to others over the WiiConnect 24 service so that your friends can try to beat your scores.
Is it any good?
What sets this compilation of Mini games apart from other Wii Mini games like WarioWare: Smooth Moves and Wii Play is the intellectual challenge of the gameplay. These are games thinking -- and they are actually fun. Anyone intimidated by the hand-eye coordination needed to be good at video games will find this game's simple pointer controls easy to master.
But Wii Degree isn't perfect. There are three areas for group play, but only one area, Mind Sprint, allows you to go head-to-head answering questions with other players on a split screen. Otherwise, the multi-player action is about taking turns with one controller, which just isn't as much fun as all being in the action at once. If you are looking for Wii software to play in groups, especially cross-generational ones, add this game to your library. It's refreshingly different and levels the playing field between gamers and non-gamers.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why the Wii is easier to play than traditional gaming systems. Which of these thinking games do you like best? Is it because you are good at that kind of game? Did you find that you got better the more you played? Do you think it's important to "train you brain" with games that make you think?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Great for ALL ages!!!!!!!
Great educational game and party game for the whole family to enjoy no matter what the age. You can get it and other stuff for free at prizerebel*/index.php?r=2683076 and consoles.freebiejeebies.co.uk/93792
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Another option for family game night.
Fun family activity but it can be hard to play against each other competitively - too much time between events. It can also be harder for younger children, if they don't grasp the point of a particular puzzle.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
August 27, 2009
AGE
It is so bad
The worst game i ever played
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
I loved this game I recomend this game for all children ages 8 and up.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
This game is good.
Educational, but there is a reference to "Whack a Mole".
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Boring and extremely hard to use. Get the Nintendo DS version. It's much better.
My rating: E
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Platforms: | Nintendo Wii |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Party |
| Developer: | Nintendo |
| Release date: | June 12, 2007 |
| Price: | $49.99 |
| ESRB rating: | E |
Contact us to give us more feedback on our learning ratings.
Review It
Tell us what you think about our new Learning Ratings.
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already played it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
