 | 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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Steel Diver
- Nintendo 3DS
- Price: $39.99
- Genre: Simulation
Common Sense Media says
Clever submarine sim takes advantage of 3DS hardware.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Steel Diver is a military submarine simulation, featuring some violence. You can blow up enemy submarines and see the vessel sink into the ocean. The cartoon-like graphics means it's not realistically represented, nor are there people screaming or bodies floating in the water. You can also destroy deep sea creatures out to harm you. But be aware a periscope mode has you play the game from a first-person view. Plus your ship can be destroyed by running into mines. Parents need to remember that Nintendo is warning parents not to allow
kids age six and under to view the graphics in 3D because that viewing
"may cause vision damage." The Nintendo 3DS offers parents the ability
to lock out the use of 3D graphics in the system's Parental Controls.
What's it about?
As one of the Nintendo 3DS launch titles, STEEL DIVER is an arcade submarine simulation for the portable game system. You are in control of various subs, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. For example, the Manatee can maneuver the waters quickly but doesn't handle as well as the slow but sturdy Serpent sub. The Blue Shark, however, is the most balanced in your fleet. Depending on the mode you play, you'll be firing torpedoes at enemy subs, avoiding mines, and navigating around other underwater obstacles in order to reach your goals. You'll use the touchscreen to carefully control your depth, speed, and pitch (and prevent water from entering the sub by fixing the leak with the stylus pen). The game also includes fun first-person elements, viewable through the submarine's periscope, and a head-to-head wireless option for two friends in the same room.
Is it any good?
Steel Diver is a good game, but $40 is a bit much for what you get. That is, there are only seven main missions to tackle (which are replayable with different subs), plus there's the "ad hoc" Steel Commander multiplayer option for two friends in the same room. But Steel Diver doesn't seem to have longevity as many other Nintendo games, though it is still fun while it lasts. The 3D effects works well, too, which adds to the immersion, as does the gyroscope sensor that lets you move the 3DS around in 360-degrees to look for (and shoot at) enemy submarines in Periscope Strike mode. You can also earn sub decals that unlock special abilities, such as increase speeds or stronger defenses. Overall, Steel Diver is a fun game but it might be better as a weekend rental than a $40 purchase.
Online interaction: The game lets you play wirelessly with a nearby friend ("ad hoc" mode), but there is no over-the-Internet multiplayer options. Gamers can't chat through their Nintendo 3DS while they're playing, either.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about submarine games not being very popular in North America. Could Steel Diver help to make the genre a popular one, or is this a niche topic?
Does the Nintendo 3DS add more pizazz to the graphics because it's
playable in 3D and the gyroscope has you move your body around to see
the action?
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Kid, 12 years old
May 4, 2011
AGE
good
this game is the bomb for me it is really good even though it is not educational like some people want it to be or expect it to be
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Kid, 12 years old
December 3, 2011
AGE
Submarine simulator is somewhat good.
This game is very slow-paced and short on content. This game is one the reasons why the 3ds had a slow launch. This game does not fully utilize 3ds hardware capabilities. The gyro controls are flawless and the graphics are amazing, but this game is not worth the price tag. This would be a great eShop game, but it is an actual retailer product. I'm sure an older audience would appreciate it more.
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| Platforms: | Nintendo 3DS |
| Available online? | Available online |
| Genre: | Simulation |
| Developer: | Nintendo |
| Release date: | March 27, 2011 |
| Price: | $39.99 |
| ESRB rating: | E10+ for Mild Violence |
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