Madagascar 3: The Video Game

Review

Common Sense Media says

Simple platform puzzler lets kids play with animal stars.
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
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Learning3
Best: Really engaging, great learning approach.
Very Good: Engaging, very good learning approach.
Good: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
Fair: Somewhat engaging, okay learning approach.
Not for Learning : Not recommended for learning.
Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

AGE
12
QUALITY
 

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Madagascar 3: The Video Game is based on the movie Madagascar 3. The story is exactly the same, though it is told through terse sequences in between levels of gameplay. The game consists of a series of levels where players run through different European cities, collecting items and solving puzzles, and playing a variety of mini-games. The game is meant to be very accessible so that young Madagascar fans can appreciate it. There is some sense of peril in parts of the game where players have to avoid animal control officers, but other than that there is no objectionable content.

  • Positive messages3
    There is a strong emphasis on teamwork in this game. Players will play as one of several different animals at a time, and must switch between these animals in order to solve a variety of puzzles. The game can also be played cooperatively with two players, allowing each one to take a hand in completing the puzzles. While the storyline is somewhat disjointed and rushed at times, the sense of togetherness and teamwork is solid.
  • Positive role models3
    This game features all the heroic characters that fans of the Madagascar movie franchise have come to know and love -- Alex the Lion, Gloria the Hippo, Marty the Zebra, and more. These characters all come across as positive role models. They work together to solve problems, they are always there for one another, and they won't stop until they accomplish their goals. Their altruism and strong personalities shine through in this game.
  • Ease of play4
    This game is very accessible. The bulk of the gameplay consists of players running around different environments, collecting items, and following prompts that appear on the screen. Even players who may have difficulty getting from point A to point B will be helped by the continuous flow of voice-over narration that helps guide them through each level. The mini-games that are interspersed between the platform-jumping levels of the game likewise require only very basic controls and reflexes. The game is driven by a story, and the gameplay mechanics serve mainly as a means of advancing the story rather than trying to stump or challenge players.
  • Violence & scariness2
    There are occasional instances of whimsical violence in this game, such as cartoon animal control officers targeting the animals with batons and unintimidating bombs, but there is no depiction of anyone ever being harmed or injured.
  • Language0
    Not applicable.
  • Consumerism0
    This game can be seen as a marketing tool for the movie Madagascar 3. Playing the game may also encourage children to want additional merchandise from the Madagascar franchise.
  • Privacy & safety0
    Not applicable.
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What kids can learn

3

Kids can learn the value of teamwork and how different characters with different skills and attributes can contribute to solving a problem. They also put their puzzle-solving and spatial recognition skills to the test through the series of levels and mini-games that must be completed. Madagascar 3: The Video Game's main focus is having fun, but the game stresses cooperation and provides ways for kids to solve puzzles together.

Skills
  • Responsibility & Ethics
  • Tech Skills
  • Health & Fitness
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What's it about?

In MADAGASCAR 3: THE VIDEO GAME, players follow a loosely presented version of the same story as the movie Madagascar 3, in which the familiar zoo animals like Alex the Lion and Marty the Zebra must pretend to blend into a traveling circus in order to get home. The story is presented through brief sequences in between gameplay levels. The Story mode consists of a series of platform-jumping levels where players need to solve basic puzzles, with the help of voice-over tutorials for players who might get stuck, as well as a variety of mini-games. There are separate circus-themed mini-games as well.

Is it any good?

 

Madagascar 3: The Video Game is designed to be enjoyable for little kids. There is no sense of "death" in the game. If players fail, they simply re-appear at an earlier point in the level. In addition, voice-over dialogue constantly provides help and guides players in the right direction. The addition of a two-player mode in which players can navigate the levels independently and help one another is a nice touch. The mini-games are also fun and help to break up the sometimes repetitive platform-jumping levels. Older players will likely find a lack of challenge in this game, but for the young target audience of the Madagascar franchise, the presence of familiar characters, the ease of play, and the varied gameplay will be an enjoyable experience.

Explore, discuss, enjoy

  • Families can talk about the inherent consumerism in this title. Would you enjoy this game if the characters were nondescript zoo animals instead of characters from Madagascar?

  • Do you prefer playing this game alone or with others? Do you like games that feature co-op play? Why?

This review of Madagascar 3: The Video Game was written by

What kids can learn

3

Kids can learn the value of teamwork and how different characters with different skills and attributes can contribute to solving a problem. They also put their puzzle-solving and spatial recognition skills to the test through the series of levels and mini-games that must be completed. Madagascar 3: The Video Game's main focus is having fun, but the game stresses cooperation and provides ways for kids to solve puzzles together.

Skills
  • Thinking & Reasoning: logic, problem solving, solving puzzles
  • Creativity:
  • Self-Direction:
  • Emotional Development:
  • Communication: friendship building
  • Collaboration: cooperation, meeting challenges together, teamwork
  • Responsibility & Ethics:
  • Tech Skills:
  • Health & Fitness:

What's it about?

In MADAGASCAR 3: THE VIDEO GAME, players follow a loosely presented version of the same story as the movie Madagascar 3, in which the familiar zoo animals like Alex the Lion and Marty the Zebra must pretend to blend into a traveling circus in order to get home. The story is presented through brief sequences in between gameplay levels. The Story mode consists of a series of platform-jumping levels where players need to solve basic puzzles, with the help of voice-over tutorials for players who might get stuck, as well as a variety of mini-games. There are separate circus-themed mini-games as well.

How kids will learn

Kids will learn by listening to voice-over dialogue that helps them identify when they need to switch to a different character to solve each piece of the puzzle. Players constantly alternate between these characters -- a fast lion, a long-necked giraffe, a large hippo, etc. -- because each one is needed for specific tasks in the game. Alternatively, two kids can play the game at the same time, each controlling a different character, to solve puzzles more quickly.

How parents can help

  • Encourage kids to figure out what their individual strengths are and identify the strengths of their friends and family members.
  • Try building a block structure or a marble run together, while identifying each person's strengths.
This review of Madagascar 3: The Video Game was written by
Teen, 15 years old
June 24, 2012
AGE
18
 
Very gruesome and surprisingly unsettling!
I just bought this game for my 10 year old daughter. I can say straight off the bat we are returning this title ASAP! Alex the Lion is very viscous in this game. When he is fighting enemies, he can decapitate, main, slaughter, slice, and even cut off the head of victims. He can even rip out hearts, spines and skulls. Alex also has the ability to kick enemies off cliffs or set them on fire. All is in a very graphic form. Enemies scream in pain and blood splatters all over the screen. Marty the Zebra has much less violent attack moves, but he says "F*** and S***" constantly.
What other families should know:
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Kid, 9 years old
June 19, 2012
AGE
5
 
Learning1
madagascar 3 the game
this is a great game i saving up for 3ds version
What other families should know:
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Helped me decide (21) | Had useful details (26) | Read my mind (21)
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This review of Madagascar 3: The Video Game was written by
Topics:magic and fantasy, friendship
Platforms:Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Available online?Not available online
Genre:Puzzle
Developer:D3Publisher of America
Release date:June 5, 2012
Price:$39.99
ESRB rating:E for Comic Mischief (Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
This review of Madagascar 3: The Video Game was written by

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