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Mini Ninjas

(2009, Video Games - Action/Adventure, Rated E10+, Play it on: Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360, Nintendo DSi)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Family-friendly cartoon ninja brawler with epic story.

In this game kids can:   battle others, become a hero, play in a virtual world, solve puzzles, whack cartoon characters

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

The good stuff

  • Ease of play:

    There is a bit of a learning curve as virtually all of the 10 buttons on the console controller (and d-pad and two analog sticks) do something in the game. We reviewed the Xbox 360 version.
  • Educational value:

    Not an issue.
  • Messages:

    The game plays as one of six ninjas who vow to take down an evil warlord. In doing so, these mini ninjas also free animals who were transformed into enemy soldiers.

  • Role models:

    Hiro, the main mini ninja, is a good guy, who takes on an evil Samurai warlord. He is fighting to return order to the world. Players can turn into five other ninjas including a female.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    The game does contain cartoon violence -- including use of swords, bombs, and throwing stars with accompanying sounds of pain -- but there is no blood or gore. When enemies are defeated, the evil Warlord spell is broken and they return back to furry animals before scurrying away. One flatulent boss character uses his smelly and harmful gas as a weapon.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Mini Ninjas was written by Marc Saltzman

Parents need to know this action/adventure game is fairly tame, but combat is a big part of the game-play.  There is no blood or gore in this game and all defeated enemies return back to their original animal form. Kids will see some minor crude humor, including a flatulent boss character whose gas can harm your character.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the violence and crude humor found in this game. Do you think playing a game where you do the fighting affects you? Does your opinion differ if the violence is cartoonish versus realistic?

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More on Mini Ninjas

What’s the Story?

In MINI NINJAS, you play as a pint-sized warrior named Hiro, who vows to stop an evil Samurai Warlord bent on world domination (of course). Trite storyline aside, this video game's fun factor lies in Hiro's assortment of tricks -- magic, stealth, weaponry, and agility -- to defeat this malevolent master and his devoted minions. Hiro's powerful "Kuji Magic," for example, comes in handy while exploring the vast and dangerous areas in feudal Japan. He can possess animals, such as turning into a bear to scare off baddies or a wild boar to ram objects. Defeated enemies, by the way, turn back into animals, as it breaks the evil warlord's spell. Hiro can also transform into five other mini ninjas on demand, including the slow but muscular Futo or the swift, female Suzume. Players will also master hiding in tall grass, balancing on ropes hanging above abysses, sneaking up to unsuspecting soldiers, shimmying across cliff edges, and using items to help get past obstacles (such as Hiro's trusty hat that serves as a mini-boat to traverse waterways). Close

Is It Any Good?

Fighting against baddies is fun, be it with mêlée weapons (such as swords and hammers) or ranged ones (Shuriken throwing stars and cherry bombs), but because the game is designed primarily for younger players, combat is on the easy side -- even against the slightly tougher boss characters, including a flatulent fighter whose poison, er, gas, can kill you. A minor shortcoming in this game is the lack of any multiplayer modes. A co-op option, for instance, would be a lot of fun to play alongside a friend or family member on the same television. When it comes to production values, though, Mini Ninjas doesn't disappoint. The third-person adventure resembles a colorful and fluidly-animated digital cartoon, while the soothing Japanese instrumental tracks nicely match the look and theme of this family-friendly brawler. While not flawless, the game is a fun fall pick for tweens and teens.

Note: All versions of Mini Ninjas are the same between the console and PC platforms, except for the Nintendo DS version which was designed specifically for the portable player.

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Publisher’s Details

Released on 9/8/2009, price $30-50, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E10+ (for Cartoon Violence, Crude Humor)

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models
    • Easy to play

    SUPER FANTASTIC...

    This is such a good game! I love it! I like it because it isn't really hard and it explains things to you. It has really cute and nicely made animations. It's cute because when you "finish off" a bad guy, all the badness goes away and he (the bad guy) transforms into a cute animal. I really like this game! :)

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New Mexico
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Kick! Punch! "Mini, mini Ninjas"

    Mini Ninjas is a very exciting game. You are a young ninja named Hiro. You must fight your way through the evil samurai minions and restore the balance of nature. I like how you can do your ninja moves. I also like how the evil samurai return to their original animal forms when you defeat them. If you have a Wii you may experience problems loading the sixth level. It took me maybe five minutes. But don't get me wrong Mini Ninjas is the best game I own so far.

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