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Rapala: We Fish

(2009, Video Games - Sports, Rated E, Play it on: Nintendo Wii)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 8.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Wacky fishing title combines racing with tournament casting.

In this game kids can:   get active, improve hand-eye coordination, play multiplayer games, race

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Ease of play:

    The game comes packed with a special Rod & Reel controller for use during the game. The control attachment is well made and looks to be quite durable and should stand up to being used and abused. The game can be played without the attachment, and in some cases is easier to control. While landing a fish, the rod & reel feel very comfortable and really make the game a joy. However attempting to maneuver a boat with the attachment in use is clunky and very counter-intuitive. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to swap between using it and not -- making the overall ease of use difficult.

  • Educational value:

    Kids learn that some animals are more likely to strike a lure based on how it’s moving and the color and shape of it. Simply moving as fast as possible will not attract a fish to bite, but subtle movements of the lure are required to entice a fish to bite.
 

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The game can show some bad sportsmanship. During the game, there are times where the intent is to attempt to knock a fish out of a competitors boat by ramming into them to help you get the upper hand in the tournament. Your opponents are also attempting to do this to you.

  • Role models:

    Competitors are not always shown as good sports.

  • Violence & scariness:

    Fish are yanked from their habitat.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    While a niche market, the game is named after a manufacturer of fishing lures. Some locations in the game also feature advertisements for Rapala in the form of billboards.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Rapala: We Fish was written by Jeff Paramchuk

Parents need to know that Rapala We Fish comes with only one Rod & Reel attachment, but the entertaining twist on this fishing game is that it supports local multiplayer action. The game will take players around the globe searching out many types of fish in a very non-realistic take on sport-fishing.

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 discuss the appeal of active gaming. Would this game feel as fun on the PS3 or the Xbox 360?
  • Does fishing seem like a good sport, and are fish safe to eat? What is the definition of sport?
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More on Rapala: We Fish

What’s the Story?

Claiming to be the first game of its kind designed exclusively for the Nintendo Wii, RAPALA: WE FISH attempts to tackle the genre with a well-built accessory as well as a slight change to the standard fishing tournament style. Rather than just try to catch fish within some time constraint, We Fish has the player catching specific numbers of fish or a certain weight within the time limit. But the biggest challenge is that after catching each fish you must return it to a safe zone before being able catch another. The catch here is that during the trip to the safe zone, you are fair game and other players can ram your boat which may cause you to drop the fish back into the water. Close

Is It Any Good?

As a fishing game aimed at a younger crowd, We Fish is a fairly enjoyable game, especially when you hook onto a fish. Featuring eight locations around the world  with multiple tournaments in each, the game delivers a fair amount of challenge  to keep you entertained. The mechanism to cast, hook, and reel in the fish is very satisfying and can easily be mastered by anyone, but unfortunately the included accessory makes for a tough transition back to driving the boat. The mixture of racing title and traditional fishing game is an entertaining twist that adds some excitement to an otherwise potentially lifeless style of game. Thankfully for those not wanting time limits, a free fishing mode is included and is the only place to catch some very rare fish. Close

Publisher’s Details

Released on 9/29/2009, price $36.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E (for Comic Mischief)

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