 | 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. |
Kung Fu Panda
- Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS
- Price: $20 - $50
- Genre: Action/Adventure
Common Sense Media says
Movie-based kid combat best on Xbox and PS3.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that players don't necessarily have to have seen the movie to appreciate the game. Although the game focuses on fighting (thus earning it an E 10+ rating) and emphasizes the idea of fighting as a way to prove yourself, the player is always presented as the "good guy," whether it's saving bunnies and turtles from harassment from gang members, or defending a temple from robbers. When an enemy is vanquished, their bodies disappear in little wisps of smoke.
What's it about?
KUNG FU PANDA is a video game based on the animated movie of the same name where Po the panda, a lowly waiter in his dad's noodle restaurant, dreams of being a kung fu master like his heroes, the Furious Five. When an unlikely series of events finds Po named the next Dragon Warrior, he must hone his kung fu skills to not only prove that he is worthy of the honor, but to defeat the evil Tai Lung, who wants the title for himself.
Given the film's kung fu theme, the game has a decent excuse for featuring combat so prominently in the gameplay. Po is pitted against wave after wave of bad guys from different gangs (like the boars, crocodiles, and so on). The panda has a number of kicks, punches, and special moves at his disposal, and players also occasionally get to step into the shoes of the Furious Five characters to take advantage of special abilities like Master Crane's ability to fly. The game generally tackles fighting with an over-the-top, humorous approach that frequently pokes fun at Po's lazy attitude and less-than-athletic physique. Levels might also contain door switch puzzles, sinking platforms, ledge-climbing, rope-walking, and other challenges. Finally, a multiplayer mode lets up to four friends compete against each other in mini-games like target shooting and four-on-four brawling.
Is it any good?
Buyers be warned that although the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii versions of Kung Fu Panda all cost the same ($49.99), the games are not created equal. While the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions, both of which were developed by Luxoflux, are perfectly playable and even enjoyable, the Wii version (created by a different developer, Xpec) is vastly inferior. All three games have the same levels and content, but the Wii version seems like a phoned-in effort with painfully awkward controls, poor hit detection, badly mixed audio, and noticeably lower quality graphics.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the history of kung fu and its various forms, some of which were vaguely referenced in the game (such as Tiger, Monkey, and Crane). After playing the game, do kids think it might be fun or useful to learn a martial art?
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AGE
Another movie gaame
Ya know...games baced on movies are never sooo great. I mean, Its not like the movie and usuly has bad game play. So I got to say...spend your money on Wii fit or Wii Play if your looking for a family game
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AGE
I laughed my pants off!
I would definently see it again!
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AGE
Really cute story line (adventure mixed with challenges and combat fighting). I let my two boys play it at age 7 and 9 and felt very comfortable with that. Combat is not over the top & the characters are cartoons. Aligators and other enemies might be scary for some 6 year olds (if impress.) but probably not. Not any more violent than some cartoons we grew up with except that I think there is a difference in a video game where your child is the active participant and aggressor. With that said though, no death and characters are cute even when defeated or hit, it doesnt seem like they are violently damaged (just defeated). Over all, I highly recommend. Cute story, cute (and cool) characters who are role models (panda saves villagers from bullies, protects objects from getting stollen and returns them, etc). I limit video game playing (try, but this game is addictive, b/c it is so good) and make the kids spend at least some time on weekends doing other activities (board games, sports, family activities, reading, kid's events) to try to provide balance.
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Kid, 10 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
junie b jones
junie b jones is the funnyest book.
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AGE
im not joking the role models save the helpless and defeat the evil. no blood no gore. THe messages tell you things like help people. Good for most 8 year olds
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Kid, 11 years old
January 14, 2011
AGE
good for littler kids but not for preteens
ok, not the best ever but ok.
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AGE
A joke for teens!
I am 100% sure that teens will not like this. But it is perfect for 9-12 year olds. The violence is not intenseand there is no blood or gore. But 5 year olds mightfind the violence iffy for THEM! But like I said, the violence is not bad... at least not for older kids.
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| Topics: | sports and martial arts |
| Platforms: | Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Developer: | Activision |
| Release date: | June 3, 2008 |
| Price: | $20 - $50 |
| ESRB rating: | E10+ for Fantasy Violence, Mild Language |
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