Michael Phelps: Push the Limits

Review

Common Sense Media says

Motion-controlled swimming game provides unique experience.
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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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Michael Phelps: Push the Limits is a swimming simulation game featuring Olympic Gold Medalist, Michael Phelps. It will indeed push the limits of players who feel the need to set new records and grab as many gold medals as possible. Players get to 'travel' to all kinds of pools and stadiums around the world and ultimately work to compete in the "Annual Games" against the best swimmers in the world. Although Michael Phelps has not always been a good role model in the press, in this game he appears as an inspiring athlete and encourages players along the way.

  • Positive messages4
    Because this is a Kinect title, it encourages players to get up off the couch and move around. While it may seem difficult to capture the motions of swimming while standing up in front of a camera, this game does provide the same kind of aerobic exercise. In addition, the inclusion of Michael Phelps gives this game an incredibly strong message about going after your dreams and being able to accomplish anything you set your mind to.
  • Positive role models3
    Michael Phelps is the man who set a new world record and earned the most gold medals of any athlete at the 2008 Olympic Games. Michael Phelps appears throughout the game to encourage players and instill them with confidence and positive messages, making this title as much of a motivational tool as it is a fun and energetic game. That said, some parents will recall that Michael Phelps has not always been a positive role model. While he has made some questionable decisions in his personal life, this game emphasizes his championed and unprecedented status in the world of sports.
  • Ease of play3
    The controls for this game can be a bit confusing at first, since players are trying to mimic the motions of swimming while standing up and not being immersed in water. Once players get the hang of it, it becomes a much more fluid experience; but the game is sometimes very difficult making it hard for players to win the gold. It is meant to be a challenging but ultimately rewarding experience.
  • Violence0
    Not applicable.
  • Sex0
    Not applicable.
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What's it about?

MICHAEL PHELPS: PUSH THE LIMITS lets players follow in the footsteps of Olympian Michael Phelps, who set the record for winning the most gold medals of any Olympic athlete at the 2008 summer games. He appears in the game to provide inspiration and encouragement to players as they work their way through swimming competitions around the world and then ultimately compete in the "Annual Games" against the best athletes from across the globe.

Is it any good?

 

Michael Phelps: Push the Limits follows in the footsteps of other Olympic athletes embracing the video game industry, but it poses many differentiating qualities. For starters, there are very few swimming games; it's a very different category than snowboarding games or even gymnastic games. Second, Phelps is very much a standout athlete (8 gold medals in 2008 plus 6 in 2004) and is able to provide an unparalleled level of inspiration. Add all of that to this intense, active, and get-up-and-move game, and you have an experience that feels energetic and motivational as much as it is fun and enjoyable.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about the best way to incorporate active games into an active lifestyle.

  • Who is your #1 role model and why?

This review was written by Mark Raby

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This review was written by Mark Raby
Topics:sports and martial arts
Platforms:Xbox 360
Available online?Not available online
Genre:Sports
Developer:505 Games
Release date:October 11, 2011
Price:$49.99
ESRB rating:E for No Descriptors
This review was written by Mark Raby

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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.
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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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