Hot Wheels Battle Force 5 (Wii, Nintendo DS)
common sense media says
Brash car-bash game almost unplayable -- plus, it's violent.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this loud and chaotic vehicular battle game is all about smashing and crashing. People not familiar with the Battle Force 5 animated series might see the famous Hot Wheels name and assume this is more of a racing game. Be aware that it is not. It is a science-fiction combat game that is heavy on the explosions. There's also a sizable disconnect between the show's TV-Y7 rating and the game's E10+ rating.
Educational value:
Not applicable.
Positive role models:
The heroes of this game embody many negative traits, including being full of bravado. They drive recklessly, while using the biggest weapons. And their constant trash-talking of their opponent and their exuberant shouts of joy whenever they destroy an enemy ("Sick! That was awesome!") weigh toward the negative. On the positive side, the heroes care for and show loyalty to their teammates.
Ease of play:
BAD! Steering the Battle Force vehicles in frustratingly difficult. Simply getting these cars to move in a straight line requires an immeasurably steady hand. And the camera is linked to the same stick as the steering, which often causes you to end up looking at the side or front of the car. During hectic battles, spinning camera makes it hard to even tell what is going on. Plus, it's possible for your car to get stuck in a spot where you're completely unable to see it, and therefore don't know which way to steer to free yourself.
Violence & scariness:
Players use suped-up, heavily armored, weapons-loaded vehicles to battle evil robots in similar types of mobile battle machines. Cars have weapons such as plasma cannons, grappling hooks, and slicing blades. Crashing, crunching metal sounds and explosions roar through the majority of the gameplay.
Language:
Heroes constantly trash talk the robot bad guys, with lines like, "I hope it freezes your motherboard" and "Say it to my face, Metalhead."
Consumerism:
The game is based on a Cartoon Network series, which is in turn based on a line of toys. The Hot Wheels logo appears in the title. A call-out on the front of the box tells kids to "Watch the battle! Only on Cartoon Network."
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