Squinkies 2: Adventure Mall Surprize

Review

Common Sense Media says

Platforming game for kids who love these collectible toys.
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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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Squinkies 2: Adventure Mall Suprize is a side-scrolling platform puzzle game. It will appeal to kids that already like collecting Squinkies toys. Mirroring real life, the goal of the game is to collect all of the Squinkies, and the game comes pre-packaged with an ultra-rare Squinkies toy set.

  • Positive messages0
    The message of the game is that collecting Squinkies is fun and thus this game serves as a marketing message for the toys. It also comes pre-packaged with a Squinkies toy.
  • Positive role models1
    You are inviting the shy Squinkies to a party so there is a little positive role-modeling.
  • Ease of play3
    The game starts off with very simple platforming tasks but ramps up quickly to more difficult tricks and traps that players have to navigate.
  • Violence & scariness0
    In this platforming game, your Squinkie can fall quite a distance, but it's not hurt at all.
  • Language0
    Not applicable.
  • Consumerism3
    The game comes prepackaged with an ultra-rare 3-piece Squinkies toy set, making it almost irresistible for collectors. The game also does a great job of reinforcing that collecting theme, as the game's goal is to acquire as many Squinkies as possible. By matching the goal of the toy, this game serves as a marketing tool for the toys.
  • Privacy & safety0
    Not applicable.
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What's it about?

Kids adventure through four areas in the SQUINKIES 2: ADVENTURE MALL SURPRIZE to meet Squinkies and invite them all to a party. Squinkies are found hanging out on platforms that kids have to jump onto. But because the Squinkies are shy, kids will have to chase them down to invite them to the party. There are five Squinkies to meet at each stage, as well as a secondary goal of collecting coins and five bubbles for a bonus round to unlock rare Squinkies. Attaining all five Squinkies clears the stage and advances to the next.

Is it any good?

 

Squinkies 2: Adventure Mall Surprize is a side-scrolling platforming game. Colorful and cute, with bouncy music and voice-overs, the game will appeal to kids who already like collecting the toy. With only 3 buttons to worry about -- forward, backward and "A" to jump, the action is simple. However, as the game progresses, the timing as well as the tricks and traps get more complicated. The game is linear which means that until a stage is cleared, the player cannot progress. This format may frustrate younger kids.

Unlike the original Squinkies, which featured many different puzzles and mini-games, Squinkies 2 quickly becomes repetitive. There are only four areas and four stages in each area, and kids will have to play them over and over again in order to unlock all the playable characters and collect the 600 Squinkies that are in the game.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about how some video games are used as marketing tools. Does the toy make you want to buy the game?  

  • Families can also discuss how to set time limits when it comes to playing video games.

This review was written by Carolyn Koh

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This review was written by Carolyn Koh
Platforms:Nintendo DS
Available online?Not available online
Genre:Arcade
Developer:Activision
Release date:October 25, 2011
Price:$29.99
ESRB rating:E
This review was written by Carolyn Koh

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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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