Poptropica Adventures

Review

Common Sense Media says

Popular virtual world now on handheld; has good role models.
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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Learning2
Best: Really engaging, great learning approach.
Very Good: Engaging, very good learning approach.
Good: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
Fair: Somewhat engaging, okay learning approach.
Not for Learning : Not recommended for learning.
Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Poptropica Adventures is a handheld adventure game based on Poptropica, the popular virtual world for kids. While this version is played offline, players will still encounter some of the familiar faces and locations from the online version. There is some comic mischief, such as character stealing or hiding items belonging to other characters. Poptropica Adventures retains the positive, kid-friendly vibe of the Poptropica virtual world.

  • Positive messages3
    The game encourages cooperation and helping others. Players assist characters in a variety of ways, such as finding lost items and delivering messages, and receive rewards in return.
  • Positive role models4
    Kids meet a variety of helpful, friendly characters. Even the "villains" aren't truly evil, and ultimately see the error of their ways.
  • Ease of play4
    The gameplay is simple. The controls, which emphasize jumping, can be awkward and a little tricky. Some dexterity is required for the mini-games.
  • Violence & scariness1
    One mini-game involves racing another character, who shoots projectiles that must be dodged and if you don't, you get knocked back further in the race. However, your character has no reaction of getting hurt.
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What kids can learn

2

Kids can learn to follow directions, apply information, and solve puzzles as they complete quests, most of which involve fetching various items for the game's characters. Kids learn a little bit about Greek mythology, superhero types, and medieval fairytales as they explore three themed islands; however, the information is superficial. Kids can also collect outfits and dress up their character in different ways. While the themed islands and museum setting provide some learning, Poptropica Adventures focuses more on fun.

Subjects
Skills
  • Responsibility & Ethics
  • Tech Skills
  • Health & Fitness
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What's it about?

POPTROPICA ADVENTURES plays like a slimmed-down version of Poptropica with similar look and feel. Players can travel to three of the islands (Super Power, Astro-Knights, and Mythology) and explore them by walking and jumping on the scenery. The goal is to complete quests by talking to characters, find items, and complete mini-game puzzles. In exchange, kids receive new avatar outfits and artifacts to display in a museum. 

Is it any good?

 

While the Poptropica virtual world targets kids aged 6-15, Poptropica Adventures definitely skews towards the younger side of that demographic, even though parents might be required to help kids complete some of the dexterity-based mini-games and jumping challenges. Older kids and experienced gamers likely won't find the game challenging enough. Poptropica Adventures should be enough to hold the attention of a child in the 7-10 year age range for a few hours, but ultimately it just feels like a brief diversion from the virtual world on which it's based.

Explore, discuss, enjoy

  • Families can talk about how this game is based on a popular virtual world called Poptropica. Why do you think the developers made this game?

  • Do you like playing games on the Nintendo DS? Why or why not?

This review of Poptropica Adventures was written by

What kids can learn

2

Kids can learn to follow directions, apply information, and solve puzzles as they complete quests, most of which involve fetching various items for the game's characters. Kids learn a little bit about Greek mythology, superhero types, and medieval fairytales as they explore three themed islands; however, the information is superficial. Kids can also collect outfits and dress up their character in different ways. While the themed islands and museum setting provide some learning, Poptropica Adventures focuses more on fun.

Subjects
  • Language & Reading: following directions
  • Math:
  • Science:
  • Social Studies: exploration
  • Arts:
  • Hobbies: collecting, fashion
Skills
  • Thinking & Reasoning: applying information, solving puzzles
  • Creativity:
  • Self-Direction: achieving goals
  • Emotional Development:
  • Communication:
  • Collaboration: cooperation
  • Responsibility & Ethics:
  • Tech Skills:
  • Health & Fitness:

What's it about?

POPTROPICA ADVENTURES plays like a slimmed-down version of Poptropica with similar look and feel. Players can travel to three of the islands (Super Power, Astro-Knights, and Mythology) and explore them by walking and jumping on the scenery. The goal is to complete quests by talking to characters, find items, and complete mini-game puzzles. In exchange, kids receive new avatar outfits and artifacts to display in a museum. 

How kids will learn

The game can be finished in a couple of hours, and there's little reason to play again except to replay the mini-games in the arcade. Older kids might find the challenge too easy, while young kids might be frustrated by the controls. Minigames are only tangentially related to the subjects, such as pipe-fitting and racing mini-games on an island based on Greek myths. Kids can't always get help when they need it. There are no penalties for losing; kids can replay the mini-games as many times as they need to.

How parents can help

  • Take kids to a local museum and explore the different themed rooms.
  • Do you have any interesting "artifacts" in your home? Show them to kids and explain their significance.
  • Encourage kids to write a short story based on a new island that they've invented.
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Topics:superheroes, adventures, robots, space and aliens
Platforms:Nintendo DS
Available online?Not available online
Genre:Adventure
Developer:UbiSoft
Release date:November 6, 2012
Price:$29.99
ESRB rating:E for Comic Mischief (Nintendo DS)
This review of Poptropica Adventures was written by

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