Tools for this page
Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars
(2008, Video Games - Action/Adventure, Rated E10+, Play it on: Nintendo Wii)
-
Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10. -
Is it any good?
-
Common Sense says
A quirky, surreal adventure with unique weapons building.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 10 and Up
The good stuff
-
Educational value:
What to watch out for
-
Violence:
-
Sex:
-
Language:
-
Consumerism:
-
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars was written by Marc Saltzman
Parents need to know the game is rated "E10+" for this animated violence but players are not fighting against humans. Instead, combat, which has some animated blood, is against rodents, insects, and fungi that have begun to walk, talk and think after a mysterious meteorite has fallen to Earth. The game-play is probably made up of 50 percent combat, 25 percent exploration, and 25 percent puzzle-solving.
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 how this wonderfully imaginative adventure isn't based on a movie or seasoned game series, nor is it published by a major publisher with a huge budget -- yet is still one of the better Wii titles of the holiday season. What made you like this game? Did you notice the fake ads?
More on Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars
What’s the Story?
It sounds like the premise out of a cheesy 1950s science fiction film -- a green meteorite plummets to Earth and the ensuing space dust causes fungal and plant life to become "conscious" -- but in fact this tall tale is from a quirky new video game for the Nintendo Wii platform. Created by Austin's Red Fly Studios, MUSHROOM MEN: THE SPORE WARS introduces us to Pax, a 3-inch-high scout from the peaceful Bolete mushroom tribe, who discovers he's different from other mushrooms. While setting out on a journey of self-realization, Pax helps protect his clan and allied tribes against the malevolent Lepiota and Amanita armies, as well as dangerous creatures such as rats, spiders, and hornets.
Played from a third-person perspective, Mushroom Men is an action-adventure hybrid with plenty of "platforming" elements such as jumping on objects to reach higher areas, collecting many items, exploring hidden areas for bonus goodies (including concept art unlocked from the main menu), and engaging in combat against enemies. With the latter, the Wii Remote, held in the right hand, is waved around to wallop baddies and the A button causes Pax to jump for an aerial attack, while the tethered Nunchuk controller, held in the left hand, is to block, roll, and move Pax around. Mushroom Men also offers an interesting weapon building system, where items you find can be used to create new weapons in one of four categories: Slashing weapons, Piercing weapons, Bashing weapons, and Radical weapons. Different weapons work better with certain enemies so players will pause the game to enter the Gear screen and equip Pax accordingly.
CloseIs It Any Good?
Because our hero is a teeny mushroom, players get to experience this world from a miniature perspective, such as running through discarded soup cans, jumping on playing cards, balancing on a TV remote like a bridge, or using a smartphone's stylus pen as a staff. The populated, colorful environments enjoy a wacky Tim Burton-esque feel, often with slanted camera angles and trippy music written by bassist Les Claypool of Primus fame. Mushroom Men might remind seasoned PC gamers of a psychedelic adventure game from 1996, Bad Mojo" where you play as a cockroach -- though this new Wii title features a lot more action. Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars is an endearing new franchise (which also includes a Nintendo DS prequel, entitled Mushroom Men: Rise of the Fungi) and while it's not terribly deep or challenging, proves to be a fun and zany adventure for kids ages 10 to 100.
ClosePublisher’s Details
Released on 12/3/2008, price $49.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E10+ (for Animated Blood, Mild Fantasy Violence)
ESRB rating: E10+ (for Animated Blood, Mild Fantasy Violence)
Our Members Say
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.Tell us your child's age:
Already a member? Log inFor Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
banksmom recommends:
LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues
for kids age 10
See more from banksmom
LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues
for kids age 10
See more from banksmom
