Shaun White Skateboarding

Review

Common Sense Media says

Decent skateboarding game has a positive message.
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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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Shaun White Skateboarding is a fairly tame "Teen"-rated gamed. Its suggestive themes, off-color dialogue, and violence (which comes in the form of skateboarding wipe outs) are all relatively mild compared to what players might see in other games rated for players 13 years of age and older, such as shooters and fighters. Plus, it has a positive message about individualism and struggling against conformity. Be aware, though, that this game has significant product and brand placement.

  • Positive messages3
    The game's message is fairly positive -- fighting back against an evil, oppressive regime -- and doing it through skateboarding. 
  • Positive role models3
    Gamers can choose from several characters, each of whom has his or her own story and unique look. But this is primarily a sports game; narrative is light. Shaun White himself is a good role model for his sportsmanship.
  • Ease of play3
    This game is fairly easy to pick up and play. Players who've played other skateboarding games will find the analog-heavy controls familiar. A tutorial at the start of the game helps out players, as well.
  • Violence2
    Much like Activision's Tony Hawk skateboarding video game series, skateboarders can take wild spills and bang into one another in this game -- but there is no blood resulting from falls as there is in the Tony Hawk games.
  • Sex2
    Suggestive remarks can be heard in the dialogue. One comment mentions a woman's large breasts (though the word is bleeped out). Another discusses going through someone's underwear drawer.
  • Language2
    Several mildly profane words can be heard, mostly during dialogue sequences. Examples include: "dumbass," "damn," hell," and "bitch."
  • Consumerism3
    Product placement can been seen throughout the game, including Wendy's fast food and Stride chewing gum. Ironically, the game is about fighting back against a conformist society.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    Not applicable.
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What's it about?

While many know Shaun White as one of the world’s most recognizable snowboarders, the two-time Olympic gold medalist is also a pro skateboarder. In fact, the 24 year-old San Diego native was the first athlete to compete and medal in both the Summer and Winter X Games back in 2003. Now you can check out his chops in a video game. In SHAUN WHITE SKATEBOARDING the story focuses on a totalitarian government regime known as The Ministry that oppresses its people and imprisons those who try to fight back -- including Shaun White. Players try to rescue White and turn this dismal world into a colorful one while creating the ultimate skate park from crumbled buildings, sprouted trees, and other objects.

Is it any good?

 

Shaun White Skateboarding puts an interesting spin on skateboarding games. "Shaping" lets you, say, hop on a rail and then shape it up in the air to reach the rooftops or take it down to link to something else. Players can create a path through the air, then onto a lamppost, then link it to a rooftop, and so on. Earned points are spent on getting from one spot to another. You start off in a dry, stale, black-and-white world. As you begin to skate a shock wave of influence goes out. Landing tricks causes people around you change, trees to shoot out of the ground, buildings to crumble into big quarter pipes, and so on. This proves fun for about an hour or two, but loses its charm thanks to some mundane tasks and repetitive puzzles. Multiplayer adds a bit more fun, but this game is a better rental than a purchase.

Online interaction: The Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC versions of the game support online two-player modes, including up to 8 people in one game world. The console versions of the game allow for open voice communication via an optional headset. Players could be exposed to foul language, inappropriate conversations, and strangers soliciting personal information.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about the seeming conflict that arises when recognizable brands appear in a game that promotes individuality. Is the game's message of fighting conformity undermined by this obvious commercial consideration? 

  • Families can also discuss the many talents of Shaun White. Should it be surprising that someone who is 

This review was written by Marc Saltzman
Parent of 18 year old
December 19, 2010
AGE
10
 
To me this Shaun White game is something I have never seen before in a good and bad way. The good thing about this game is that it is fun and easy to play and almost anyone can pick it up and start playing, without going through any kind of hard learning curb. The bad thing about this game is to me this game seems like a skateboarder tripping on acid and if anyone has seen the trailer or has played the game they'd know what I'm talking about.
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This review was written by Marc Saltzman
Topics:sports and martial arts
Platforms:Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows
Available online?Available online
Genre:Sports
Developer:UbiSoft
Release date:October 29, 2010
Price:$59.99
ESRB rating:T for Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Mild Violence
This review was written by Marc Saltzman

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About our rating system
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.
Learning ratings
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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