The Smurfs

Review

Common Sense Media says

Middling mini-game collection with a Smurfs theme.
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
 
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that The Smurfs is a compilation of mini-games based on the live-action feature film of the same name. The movie provides the underlying story for the game, which comes across as an afterthought. The experience here is more about largely unrelated mini-games that players complete to help the Smurfs prepare for the Blue Moon festival back home. This includes collecting party items, locating characters and objects, and finding the perfect outfits to wear. The game is accessible to players of all ages and conveys a message of friendship and working together.

  • Positive messages2
    This game is loosely based on the Smurfs live-action movie, with some story elements from the film presented in a terse, brief manner. The story is an incidental part of the game, but it does contain messages about friendship, working together, and learning to have fun in new places.
  • Positive role models2
    As part of the game's tie-in with the Smurfs movie, players will read stories about how the Smurfs are able to befriend humans in the otherwise intimidating streets of New York City. Both the humans and the Smurfs can be seen as role models because they stress the importance of friendship and working together to solve problems.
  • Ease of play5
    This compilation of mini-games is accessible to virtually any player. They cater toward young children with activities including coloring, matching, and collecting objects. Some of the mini-games require players to tap the screen or slide objects along, so rudimentary spatial skills and reflexes are involved, but anyone who has used the Nintendo DS before should have no difficulty with this title in the slightest.
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What's it about?

THE SMURFS is based on the 2011 movie of the same name, although the connection between the two is mostly superficial. The mini-games in this DS title are the crux of the game and the brief story sequences are incidental to the experience. Nevertheless, it does mirror the film's story of Smurfs getting stranded in New York City and finding a friendly human couple to aid them on their quest to return to their home village.

Is it any good?

 

THE SMURFS is a compilation of mini-games designed for younger players. Activities include coloring, making cakes, and putting together the perfect outfits for a party. For this audience, the game is satisfactory. There is nothing particularly special about the mini-games except for their inclusion of the Smurf characters and a rough tie-in to the theatrical movie. The collection of games is underwhelming, but the ones that are available are enjoyable. There is nothing notably bad about this title, but it doesn't do anything to set it apart from others of its ilk.

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  • Families can also discuss what they liked or didn't like about this game. What was your favorite mini-game? Why does Gargamel interfere with the Smurfs' plan?

This review was written by Mark Raby
Kid, 6 years old
November 11, 2011
AGE
2
 
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tyreook7 hi nane tyre7
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This review was written by Mark Raby
Platforms:Nintendo DS
Available online?Not available online
Genre:Mini-games
Developer:UbiSoft
Release date:July 19, 2011
Price:$29.99
ESRB rating:E for No Descriptors
This review was written by Mark Raby

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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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