Marvel Super Hero Squad Online

Review

Common Sense Media says

Kids play superheroes in mildly violent online game.
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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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

AGE
8
QUALITY
 

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Marvel Super Hero Squad Online is a massively multiplayer online game designed for kids. As a superhero game there is quite a bit of combat, but violence effects are limited mostly to "clouds" and "dizzy stars." Players will also see a bit of potty humor, including fart and burp animations. Online communication can be controlled in the game's options menu, where parents can choose to allow kids to text from a game dictionary of approved words. Parents should also know that although this is a web-browser game the player's experience will be improved if you choose to download game files, which will eliminate long loading times.

  • Positive messages2
    As befits a kids' superhero game, the missions are all about defeating evil and saving the world. However, much of the game's action focuses on cartoon-ish violence.
  • Positive role models2
    Even Marvel's more controversial superheroes are tamed down to become positive role models who do nothing but good in this kid-friendly game.
  • Ease of play5
    The entire game can be played with mouse clicks. It has a superlative tutorial system for young kids that allows them to go back and repeat a lesson if they wish. It also has a simple and intuitive user interface.
  • Violence2
    In-game avatars are short, stubby, cartoon-ish representations of characters from the Marvel Universe. However, to defeat enemy henchmen, robots, and boss villains they must punch, kick, and use weapons and superhero powers. The effects of violence are depicted by cartoon "stars" effects. Enemies fall down and disappear when defeated. Player avatars also fall down when defeated, but rise to their feet again shortly thereafter.
  • Sex0
    Not applicable.
  • Language0
    Not applicable.
  • Consumerism1
    There is a free-to-play component to this game. Players will see an "Upgrade to Jr. Shield Agent" button in the top right corner of their screen.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    Not applicable.
  • Privacy & safety0
    The game is COPPA Compliant and ESRB Kid's Privacy certified and part of the ESRB Safe Harbor program, all of which means that systems are in place to ensure the privacy of any information kids share with the website. Kids are limited to menu chat. If parents prefer, they can activate safe chat which uses a dictionary of words that kids can use.
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What's it about?

MARVEL SUPER HERO SQUAD ONLINE is based on the television series of the same name. Players get to take on the roles of characters from the show while exploring familiar areas and battling villains. There is also a trading card game that has the characters battling it out as you play the cards, as well as a house (the helicarrier) that kids can decorate where collected characters live.

Is it any good?

 

Marvel Super Hero Squad Online has managed to hit all of the things most kids like to do in games. There are objects to interact with in the landscape, superheroes to collect and level up (each superhero has his or her own special animations and power attacks), and places from the television series that they can explore. Plus, the game is wonderfully easy to play, offering both keyboard and mouse controls. Kids who are fans of the Marvel Universe and of the Super Hero Squad show will particularly enjoy this game.

Parents should know that there are three components to the game: the free game, the paid subscription, and gold coins that parents can purchase for kids so they can unlock portions of the game or characters they want.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about superheroes. What is your favorite super power? What would you do if you had super powers?

  • Families can also talk about violence. Does a game like this feel less violent than others of its kind because there's no blood? Does cartoon violence have less of an impact on you than live action violence?

This review was written by Carolyn Koh
Teen, 14 years old
November 24, 2011
AGE
6
 
I think of the game
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Helped me decide (8) | Had useful details (7) | Read my mind (10)
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Kid, 10 years old
October 21, 2011
AGE
9
 
Not that violent
There is no blood, death, or any things that are TOO violent. However, there are a little bit of violent like hitting and kicking and using weapons. But for a 9-year old it's not very scary. It is educational when your kids burst your creativity by customizing their very own HQ and pick a silly username. - Lily Schultz
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (6) | Had useful details (6) | Read my mind (9)
Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 13 years old
December 8, 2011
AGE
10
 
SHSO Review
It's a fun and easy MMO to play, simply? What more can you ask?
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (7) | Had useful details (7) | Read my mind (5)
Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 10 years old
May 8, 2012
AGE
8
 
Great for Kids 8+
Mild violence, fun characters to play with! Great game but don't take my word for it. play now! at hero up . com
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See all user reviews
This review was written by Carolyn Koh
Topics:superheroes
Platforms:Windows, Mac
Available online?Available online
Genre:Massively Multi-player Online Game (MMOG)
Developer:Gazillion Entertainment
Release date:July 18, 2011
Price:Free / $9.95 monthly / Microtransaction
ESRB rating:E10+ for Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief
This review was written by Carolyn Koh

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About our rating system
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.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
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