G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi, PlayStation 2, Windows)

common sense media says

Decent movie game delivers cooperative bloodless shooting.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this action/adventure game is based on the movie of the same name and lets players fight against a terrorist organization known as COBRA. The graphics are cartoon-like and the weapons, firepower, and vehicles are over-the-top. In fact, players can enter a super fighting mode, with temporary invincibility and enhanced speed, which resembles a cartoon.

Educational value: Not applicable.
Positive messages: Gamers play as the "good guys," out to defeat evil, but you can also unoock (and play as) COBRA "bad guys."
Positive role models: For the most part, the role models are positive as the fighters work for an elite military organization out to stop terrorists.
Ease of play: The game is fairly easy to play but the inability to control the camera is annoying.
Violence & scariness: There is no blood, gore, or excessive violence but players will use guns, grenades, swords, and other weapons to defeat enemy fighters. Some bad guys are human, while others are machines. The bodies evaporate into a green goo, which is supposed to represent a mechanical, nanotechnology-based infection.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: The game comes out in time with the movie of the same name, tjherefore a planned marketing move between Paramount Pictures and Electronic Arts. It is based on Hasbro's famous toy action figure.

More on G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about whether or not film-based video games -- available the same week as the movie of the same name -- are a good idea because you'd like to play as the hero(es) in the story or are these movies a well-timed, shameless grab for cash. Or both?

  • Is the ability to play this game with a friend important to you? Do you think of gaming as a social thing or a solitary enjoyment?

What's the story?

What's the story?

G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA is based on the highly-publicized Paramount Pictures flick of the same name (and of course, Hasbro's 45-year-old toy line) and starts where the movie leaves off. Available for multiple consoles and handheld systems, G.I. JOE: The Rise of COBRA introduces players to the G.I. ("Government Issue") JOE team of elite military fighters who protect the world from ruthless terrorists, such as the nefarious COBRA organization. In this third-person action game, gamers can climb into the boots of familiar G.I. JOE characters -- such as Duke, Heavy Duty, Ripcord, Scarlett and Snake Eyes -- as well as some unlockable COBRA fighters, too. Each character has his or her own unique weapon and special move: Snake Eyes, for example, uses a katana for close-combat attacks (with super stealth as his special move). Before every mission (and sometimes during them), you pick which two characters you want to lead the fight. If you're playing alone, the secondary character will be controlled by the game's A.I. But, you can also engage in two-player drop-in-drop-out co-op play with a friend.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

You never know what you're going to get when you buy a movie-based video game. On one hand, you might be pleasantly surprised with the results (Disney Interactive Studios' G-Force), but more often than not the game feels like a shameless marketing tie-in or was rushed out the door to be released in time with the film (Warner Bros. Interactive's Watchmen: The End is Nigh). G.I. Joe is somewhere in-between. While not a flawless game, this arcade shooter delivers a fun experience -- especially for younger players. It offers an all-new storyline, but provides players with an opportunity to replay some of the biggest moments from the film, as well as relive story threads from G.I. JOE comics, cartoons, and toys.

The game is fun romp but there are a few nagging issues such as the inability to control the camera and frequent load screens. Shortcomings aside, the game will likely appeal to young teenagers who want an enjoyable co-op action experience alongside a friend.

Game themes & details

Game Details
Available on: Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi, PlayStation 2, Windows
Not available online
Genre: Action/Adventure
Developer: Electronic Arts
Released on: August 4, 2009
Price: 59.99
ESRB Rating: T for Fantasy Violence
Screenshots

This review was written by Marc Saltzman
 
 

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What parents & educators say

7

Most useful reviews by all members


kid, 12 years old
 
DO NOT BUY THIS
I HATE THIS GAME MOVIE GAMES ARE BAD!


teen, 14 years old
 
DO NOT BUY THIS
I HATE THIS GAME MOVIE GAMES ARE BAD!


kid, 11 years old
 
DO NOT BUY THIS
I HATE THIS GAME MOVIE GAMES ARE BAD!

KiPunk11
teen, 15 years old
 
It's nostalgic, too bad it's not that great.
Non-stop cartoon violence. It's fun, but there's not much substance to be had.

SithLordBeast
teen, 13 years old
 
boring but okay for 6+
this game has terrible graphics. i have it for psp so the graphics wont be awesome but all my other psp games have way better graphics than this. it is impossible to lose levels basically. the shots fired from peoples guns are big round and colorful. the convorsations are really cheesey. and there is no noise, only words that come up when talking. this shouldnt be rated T also. in the first cutscene someone says d--mn it.

Ocelot
parent of 7 , 12 , and 14 year old
 
If you love your kids dont buy this game
this is possibly the worst game of 2009 the controls are clunky the graphics are very 90's, the gameplay holds your hand there is no challenge to the game at all. If you love your kids dont buy this game

SugarPlumPixie
parent of and 7 , 9 , 11 , 15 year old
 
8yo needed a game that had fighting
I bought this for my 8yo who wanted to play his much older brother's Call To Duty. This was my replacement and he really likes it and is very happy with it.It only contains fantasy violence and that's something that my particular 8yo can handle so it has worked out good.

 
Horrid
Absolutely horrible game. COntrols are unresponsive, camera is awful and the graphics appear to be from the 1990s. If you're REALLY into G.I. Joe, then I'd recommend this because it has the theme music and some clips from the show. BUt otherwise PLEASE Stay away from this game. You'll find yourself in a suicidal after playing just 10 minutes of this atrocity.

prince of persia
teen, 15 years old
 
it does have dam-

spike35
kid, 12 years old
 
it good love it

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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