| 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. |
Parents need to know that in spite of its colorful and kid-friendly veneer, the game's finicky controls will likely frustrate kids rather than engage them. There's no objectionable content.
Major Minor's goal in life is to become the best drum major around, and with the help of his best friend Bob and "GGGG" the talking baton, he sets out to recruit a band and march his way to the top. MAJOR MINOR'S MAJESTIC MARCH is a rhythm action game where the Wii remote doubles as a baton. Players wave it up and down in order to lay down a steady tempo for the band marching behind Major Minor, and can flick the Wii remote from side to side to recruit new players to the band and grab power-ups.
Unfortunately, waving a Wii remote up and down simply isn't much fun. Bandmates (who consist of an admittedly cute bunch of instrument-playing animals) all like to walk at different speeds, and it's a balancing act to keep everyone happy since they'll get angry and leave the band if they feel the pace isn't right. Controls are finicky at best, and the game's cause isn't helped by subpar graphics, a boring story, primitive sound that doesn't do the tunes any justice, and only eight stages (which can be played again in Normal and Challenge modes once Beginner has been completed.)
The game's elementary control scheme will have music game veterans running back to Rock Band or Guitar Hero in no time, while beginners will easily become frustrated by the finicky controls, the need to constantly adjust the tempo (which in itself is no easy task, since the band often seems to have a momentum all its own), and the frequent admonishments from GGGG if they aren't doing things right. For that reason, it's hard to recommend Major Minor's Majestic March for any particular age group or skill level.
Families can talk about the different instruments that make up a marching band. Which instrument do you think would be the most fun to play? Do you think it would be hard to have to play and march at the same time?
| Platforms: | Nintendo Wii |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Music |
| Developer: | Majesco |
| Release date: | April 1, 2009 |
| Price: | $39.99 |
| ESRB rating: | E for (No Descriptors) |
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