Game Details
Price
  • $29.99
Available on
Genre
More details
See more game reviews

JONAS (Nintendo DS)

common sense media says

Mega teen band's likeability gets lost in lackluster game.

parents & educators say
See all 4 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that JONAS is a musical adventure game based on the Disney Channel TV show of the same name. While in real life, Nick, Joe, and Kevin (aka The Jonas Brothers) are very likeable, and the characters they play on the TV series are also very personable, the dialogue spoken here doesn't do them justice. The game makes them come across as spoiled pop stars. While the ability to play and control each of the three famous brothers will have great appeal to fans of the Jonas Brothers band, this game just isn't all that much fun to play. It also has an uncomfortable play mechanic of having to constantly sneak past fans or else they attack the brothers and rip their clothes off, leaving them standing in their underwear.

Educational value: Not applicable.
Positive messages: The members of the JONAS band, while well-intentioned, come off as spoiled pop stars. They whine about not being able to use their limo and private plane because they are "keeping it real." Plus the game has a consumerism theme where it instructs the player to "Purchase lots of fashion to keep the boys stylish." The fans are shown as being crazed and difficult to control which might send a message to fans to tone down their adoration.
Positive role models: The three brothers are loyal to each other, their family, and their friends. They try to find ways to please their crazed fans, and seem tolerant of the obnoxious ways these fans pester them. They love and respect their parents and try to help out at home when asked.
Ease of play: The game is pretty easy to play in terms of navigating through the adventure. Playing musical rifts within the adventure is almost too simple, but the musical performance games are substantially harder.
Violence: Fans of this JONAS band are shown as being crazed. If they spot one of the three brothers, they will try and attack them, resulting in a cloud of smoke out of which the brother emerges with torn off clothing. They frequently leave him standing with just his underwear on.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: The game is based on the Disney Channel TV series of the same name and is a way of promoting the show, which in turn, is a way to promote the Jonas Brothers band.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on JONAS

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Do you think this game and the TV show on which it is based realistically depicts the life of teen pop stars? Would you want the fame? How about the constant intrusions into your personal life?
  • What is cross promotion? Why did Disney create this game?

What's the story?

What's the story?
JONAS is based on the Disney Channel TV series of the same name which stars Nick, Joe, and Kevin Jonas (of the Jonas Brothers band) playing the parts of the Lucas brothers. As in the TV show, the game follows the life of these brothers as they try to balance pop star fame with real life. You must play through the game's story mode to unlock a music performance mode and mini-games. In the story mode, you steer the three brothers through episodes of their daily lives, solving problems along the way. The shtick here is that as you wander through their firehouse home, high school, and other places, the guys can collect musical notes from anything that makes noise. When their music meter is full, the guys can use the power of music to solve problems like unlocking doors barring their way or waking up a sleeping brother. The game includes simple exploring, jumping, and platform puzzling, as well as performance sections where you play musical chords by matching finger positions shown on the DS directional pad as you strum across the touch sensitive DS screen. Part of the game play involves changing the brothers outfits.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

On the surface, it sounds like a game that has promise: a story about a widely popular band, music games featuring their music, and mini-games. But it isn't anything special. The story mode is superficial, full of inane dialogue including whining about not being able to use their limo or private jet because they are trying to "keep it real." It includes uncomfortable gameplay like having to walk to school while avoiding overzealous fans who tear the brothers' clothes off. The music games are, at times, too easy, and then become too hard. And the minigame of washing dishes, just doesn't fit.

Fans of the Jonas Brothers band are loyal, and for them, just getting to interact with cartoon versions of Nick, Joe, and Kevin on their DS is enough. They will like playing the musical games to some of the hit songs from the TV show including "Keepin It Real" and "Live to Party." And dressing up their favorite pop stars in clothes typical of what they wear will also appeal to tween girl fans. On stage and in their TV show, the Jonas Brothers natural likeability comes across, but unfortunately, with this written dialogue, it is missing. Rent this one before you buy it.

Online interaction: This game uses D-Gamer where kids can log on to this special site, create an avatar, and chat with friends. Parents can control the level of chat and open chat is only available between friends who are also friends in real life.

Game themes & details

Game Details
Available on: Nintendo DS
Available online
Genre: Adventure
Developer: Disney Interactive
Released on: November 10, 2009
Price: 29.99
ESRB Rating: E for (No Descriptors)
Screenshots
This review was written by Jinny Gudmundsen
 
 

Review It

 

Review JONAS

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

Most useful reviews by all members

super cool mom
parent of 3 year old
5
 
gay!
you your no keeping it real jonas faggets
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (4)
watermelonlover9
kid, 12 years old
5
 
Perfect for any age
I have to say, it is great for little kids,Well, actually it is great for any Jonas fan! The only reason i rated it a 3 stars is because i personally am not the biggest fan of Jonas,but it is a great great video game that is appropriate for anyone
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (4) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
EspumaMarina
teen, 15 years old
10
 
Well, if its a rainy day and the powers out...
They made them a game..... in-trest-ing. Well, I guess if your bored, its okay. But I dont see why they must turn into, gutair picks, dolls, posters, bobble heads, sunglasses, billboards, t-shirts, shoes, backbacks, folders, cups, hats, movies, interview books..... okay, I'm done sorry. Its just, they seem (the companies not Jobros) they have such a strong lust for money they're desperate to turn there new money makers into every object created, I'm almost suprised they didnt paint their pictures on an airplane.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
TickleMeFrosty
teen, 17 years old
5
 
Something To Do
I just recently bought the game (being a JB fan) thinking that it was going to be bad, since some games based off of shows or movies aren't very good anyways. I admit, the game is poorly constructed. However, it is a perfect pastime, and it is a little fun. What could be done better about this game are graphics (the animation is pretty poor, and a little creepy), and maybe more vairity. The stoires are almost exactly the same. And earning the money is a little scary too (get fans to chase you and risk getting your clothes ripped off, but play a guitar chord and earn the "golden hearts" or money).
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (4) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (3)

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
Advice on the big issues
 

vote now

Will you play JONAS?

Game on
Press pause
Game over

Already played it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Other music adventures
For kids who love music games
Browse more games
External sites
About our rating system
ON: Content is 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
Our child development rating guidelines