Common Sense Media Review
By Christopher Healy
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Amiable movie tie-in racer offers chaotic fun and laughs.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Madagascar Kartz
What's It About?
MADAGASCAR KARTZ is a racing game in the tradition of Mario Kart. Cartoon animals from the movie Madagascar race each other in suped-up vehicles through landscapes such as a tropical beach, an African savanna, a volcano, and a New York zoo. Along the way, racers can use silly power-ups to either get ahead or sabotage their opponents. Some power-ups include a giant protective crate that surrounds the players car and a disco ball that causes opposing drivers to dance and makes steering more difficult for them. You can unlock the bonus characters from the Shrek and Monsters vs. Aliens.
Is It Any Good?
Anyone who has played the Mario Kart games will know exactly what they're in for with Madagascar Kartz as well. Fans of one will enjoy the other. Madagascar Kartz benefits from appealing graphics, easy-to-use controls, and some creatively humorous power-ups. On the negative side, the number of racers -- and worse, the number of courses -- feels far too small. Racing games are built on replay value and without more variety, this one may soon lose its luster with many kids. Like many racing game, Madagascar Kartz works best in multiplayer and will serve best as a party game for groups.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about good sportsmanship. Is it ever okay to taunt or tease an opponent?
How are traps and cheats in a game like this different from cheating in a game or race in real life?
Game Details
- Platforms : Nintendo DS , Nintendo DSi , Nintendo Wii , PlayStation 3 , Xbox 360
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Activision
- Release date : October 27, 2009
- Genre : Racing
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : June 22, 2022
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