Carnival Games: Monkey See Monkey Do

Review

Common Sense Media says

Collection of family-friendly, midway-themed mini-games.
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
 
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Carnival Games: Monkey See Monkey Do is a collection of mini-games playable on Xbox 360 with Kinect. Set in a carnival environment, players can choose from ring toss, Skee Ball, racing, roller coaster rides, and several other activities. Everything in the game is controlled by the Kinect camera, making it an active game that encourages players to get up and move without exerting themselves too much. The Carnival Games franchise is starting to become a recognized brand in the gaming industry, and this title is very similar to other titles previously released on the Wii.

  • Positive messages1
    This is a fun-spirited, feel-good collection of carnival-themed mini-games with an old-time aesthetic. Its motion-based controls encourage physical activity, and multiplayer challenges promote friendly competitive play.
  • Positive role models1
    There aren't really any characters to become attached to, except for the carnival announcer who guides players through various menus and game modes. His tone is upbeat and fun, and he encourages players to enjoy themselves.
  • Ease of play4
    This is a Kinect-enabled game, and its motion controls are sometimes hit or miss. For the most part, mini-games rely on simplistic movements and timing, while other games focus largely on luck. In the end it's a pretty accessible game even for those who have no experience with the Xbox 360 motion camera.
  • Violence0
    Not applicable.
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What's it about?

CARNIVAL GAMES: MONKEY SEE MONKEY DO is the latest installment in the Carnival Games series, and the first to use Kinect on the Xbox 360. Some Kinect titles sport cumbersome and confusing control mechanisms, but Monkey See Monkey Do is simply about pure, no-frills fun. It recreates the simple pleasures of a carnival midway, inviting players to Skee Ball, ring toss, and other carnival classics. Perhaps because the franchise has roots on the Wii, many of the motion
controls are relatively simple and don't take full advantage of Kinect, but the experience is less frustrating as a result.

Is it any good?

 

Carnival Games: Monkey See Monkey Do enters the muddled market of mini-game compilations for Kinect. Many titles have been released for the motion camera that seem to have been rushed through the development process. 2K Play, however, has clearly taken measures to ensure the motion controls in this game are almost always spot on and accessible to everyone. It has a very low learning curve; the game is more about having fun than having to complete precise on-screen actions. It isn't the most sophisticated Kinect title available, but it does what it aims to do pretty well.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about how Kinect titles and other action games can help encourage an active lifestyle. What other motion-controlled games do you like?

  • Families can also discuss playing games in a social environment. Is it more fun to play games alone or with a friend?

This review was written by Mark Raby

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This review was written by Mark Raby
Platforms:Xbox 360
Available online?Not available online
Genre:Mini-games
Developer:2K Play
Release date:April 5, 2011
Price:$49.99
ESRB rating:E for No Descriptors
This review was written by Mark Raby

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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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