I bought simcity 4 and simcity 4 deluxe for my son he likes them both. It tought him about monthly income and expenses, and that it's hard to earn money in a fun way. You can teach this game yourself after a few weeks
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SimCity 4
(2003, Video Games - Simulation, Rated E, Play it on: Windows)
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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 7, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Great entertainment and educational value.
In this game kids can: live vicariously, play in a virtual world, use logic to win
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 8 and Up
The good stuff
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Ease of play:
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Educational value:
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of SimCity 4 was written by National Institute of Media and the Family
Parents need to know that players have the ability to bring down a massive series of disasters (such as tornadoes, fires, earthquakes) to reduce their cities to rubble.
Families Can Talk About
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- Families can talk about how these disasters may affect the people who live in the cities.
More on SimCity 4
What’s the Story?
SIMCITY 4 carries on the tradition of the SimCity series by allowing you to be the all-powerful mayor of your own city. Start with a 100,000 simoleons (Sim-style dollars) and a city name. Zone land for people and jobs; plan roads, the water system, and the energy network; trade with nearby cities; establish schools, hospitals, and emergency services; create parks and gardens. Plant trees, create parks, and plan community gardens.
Graphs, charts, and maps aid you in your decisions, as does listening to your Sims, a major new element in the game. You can name individual Sims, decide where they will live, and then observe how your city-level decisions affect them. Place a school near your Sim and they have a better chance at getting a higher-paying job; poor health care means your Sim could get sick and even die.
CloseIs It Any Good?
Who would have guessed running a city could be so challenging, yet so fun? Your city is surprisingly resilient and the game is forgiving as you learn how to make your city a better place to live. You cannot help but learn some of the mechanics of politics, economics, geography, and ecology. For example, you can see the positive impact of a well-designed mass-transit system -- how it affects congestion, pollution, and the quality of life -- but you also see its cost.
There is one violent element: disasters, which can be brought on either by random acts determined by the game or by the player. Tornadoes, fires, earthquakes, and even giant robots can wreak havoc on your city. The game may not communicate the emotional impact of disasters very wel l-- something you may want to address as your children play the game.
ClosePublisher’s Details
Released on 10/7/2003, price $45-50, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E
ESRB rating: E
Our Members Say
See all 18 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Safety isn't an issue
- Easy to play
Good and educational
- I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it
Boring
- I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Safety isn't an issue
- Easy to play
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
Ok for all, but too hard for little kids
One of the best games ever. I have a lot of FPSs like COD and Halo. but this game is just as good if not, better. Very educational, Very hard, And very entertaining
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
ihungry
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Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say kids find it easy to play |
| 100% | of parents feel the site is safe |
| 100% | of parents say it's educational |
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