 | 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. |
Super Scribblenauts
- Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi
- Price: $29.99
- Genre: Puzzle
Common Sense Media says
The ultimate puzzle game for imagination and creativity.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the action in Super Scribblenauts is almost entirely under your child's control. Exactly how violent the game gets depends on the kind of words they type in. While weapons or monsters are unavoidable in some puzzles, there's still a big difference between choosing to arm a character with a slingshot or a submachine gun. Violent possibilities aside, though, parents would be very hard to find a more creative game for their children. And it's worth noting that this sequel is more focused on brainy, thinking puzzles than action; while there are some standard video-game-like action levels, there are not the main focus.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn to think logically and let their imaginations run wild as they solve puzzles by writing new objects into a scene. Any word they spell is transformed into a digital creation and then incorporated within the game world. Each puzzle requires kids to complete a task and dream up their own solutions. It's a mix of logic, spelling, and creativity. Kids earn bonuses for using new words, which encourages using fresh vocabulary. They can even design their own puzzles to share with others. Kids are in charge of their own learning in this compelling environment for language play and media creation.
Subjects
- Arts
- Hobbies
- Language & Readingspelling, using supporting evidence, vocabulary
- Math
- Science
- Social Studies
Skills
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Creativitydeveloping novel solutions, imagination, producing new content
- Emotional Development
- Health & Fitness
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Self-Direction
- Tech Skills
- Thinking & Reasoninghypothesis-testing, solving puzzles, thinking critically
What's it about?
SUPER SCRIBBLENAUTS is a sequel to the incredibly creative and original Scribblenauts of last year. Just like its predecessor, this new game asks you to find solutions to various puzzling scenarios by adding objects, animals, or people into the scenes. You can type (or write) in pretty much any word you can think of (as long as it's not offensive or trademarked) and that thing will appear. You can create bridges to cross gaps, vehicles to make fast escapes, doctors to help sick people, monsters to scare away thieves, or any of millions of other possible combinations. New to this sequel is the ability to use adjectives to alter the state of the nouns you enter. Your adjectives will affect anything you create, even if the modifier doesn't normally fit with that noun: For instance, you can make a "blue skunk," "angry table," "icy hot dog," or "zombie computer."
Is it any good?
The original Scribblenauts was one of the best game of, well, ever -- and Super Scribblenauts manages to top it. Taking the focus off the action levels (which were sometimes too difficult and, frankly, less interesting) in favor of more brainteaser scenarios was a brilliant move; one which makes the game far more fun and fresh-feeling. The puzzles are often incredibly inventive, including ones that ask you to fill in a visual equation (like nice man + white wings = angel). While there are still a few sets of action levels, even those tend to call for some puzzle-solving brainwork (i.e., you can't just create an M-16 and plow through the level). The ability to use adjective adds far more depth to the game. Now, if faced with a scenario where you need fire, you don't need to rely on a candle or torch -- you can create a "flaming sneaker," "burning kumquat," or "fiery unicycle." In the last game, whenever you needed to get to a high place, you had to resort to wings or a jetpack; now you can give yourself "flying pants." It's truly amazing. You can spend hours just messing around with different word combinations in the mission-free playground levels.
Online interaction: The game comes with a level designer which permits you to create your own puzzles to share with friends using Nintendo Wi-Fi.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how kids can avoid violence in the game. For some puzzles, the easiest way out would be to create a weapon and destroy whatever obstacles are facing you. Kids and parents can brainstorm more creative, less violent ways to achieve their game goals.
This is a very brainy game that relies far more on intelligence and creativity than fast, dextrous fingers. In fact, this sequel downplays the "action" levels that were more of a focus in the original Scribblenauts game. Do you find a game like this new one refreshing? Or do you long for more action?
What kids can learn
Kids can learn to think logically and let their imaginations run wild as they solve puzzles by writing new objects into a scene. Any word they spell is transformed into a digital creation and then incorporated within the game world. Each puzzle requires kids to complete a task and dream up their own solutions. It's a mix of logic, spelling, and creativity. Kids earn bonuses for using new words, which encourages using fresh vocabulary. They can even design their own puzzles to share with others. Kids are in charge of their own learning in this compelling environment for language play and media creation.
Subjects
- Arts:
- Hobbies:
- Language & Reading: spelling, using supporting evidence, vocabulary
- Math:
- Science:
- Social Studies:
Skills
- Collaboration:
- Communication:
- Creativity: developing novel solutions, imagination, producing new content
- Emotional Development:
- Health & Fitness:
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Self-Direction:
- Tech Skills:
- Thinking & Reasoning: hypothesis-testing, solving puzzles, thinking critically
How kids will learn
Kids work out their brains by imagining varied and interesting solutions and using trial and error. Stumped players can type in random words just to see what happens, and this will sometimes lead to ideas for better solutions. Hints are also available. Kids can add adjectives to nouns to make things fit their needs better (such as "flying shoes" instead of just "shoes").
How parents can help
- Offer suggestions, such as word options, synonyms, or clues, to encourage kids who are easily frustrated.
- Play word games such as Scrabble to help kids build vocabulary and hone spelling skills.
- Play dictionary games with kids. Choose three words at random and try to make up a story that includes all three.
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- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
AWESOME
Probably the most creative game on the DS! I spend hours on this at at time, trying to make new and exiting adjectives. However, you should make sure that whoever's playing it has basic spelling and reading skills.
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Kid, 11 years old
January 16, 2011
AGE
Cool game
My mom thinks its very educational because you have to spell to get what you want in the game. And it is very easy to play too.
I got it for Christmas and I love it!!
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AGE
kewl!
I love this game, it gets you to think about real life situations (even though none of the situations are really real life). and about what you can do to resolve the chaos! Although you can really type anything in the box and it will come out and onto the world you are on, very clever! hahahaha!
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AGE
Creativity Reigns
My 10 year old loves this. The more creative the better the game. My 8 year old is learning difference btwn adverb, adjective, nouns, verbs.
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Kid, 11 years old
May 17, 2011
AGE
I loved it. it is very educational good for kids.
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Kid, 12 years old
January 17, 2011
AGE
For any age... might be hard for ages 7 and under.
AMAZING GAME!!!!!! I got it for Christmas this year and I love it. Like the review says, you can make aything pregnant, but it's not graphic. My little 8 year old sister plays it and loves it too.
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Kid, 12 years old
January 1, 2011
AGE
good game
challenging but fun
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AGE
A great game for 5 and up! Not saying teens and others wouldnt like it
A great game! This has nothing bad in it unless you consider cartoon violence *You can spawn weapons like rocket launchers and shoot them at them and they will not have any body parts come off they just fall down and dissapear* it has LOTS of education and puzzle and sometimes it has good role models since you can help people by spawning a criminal being a cop and then arrest the criminal and also make a family have healthy choices overall great game for familys and anyone else i would buy it!
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Kid, 10 years old
January 3, 2011
AGE
super scribblenauts
I love it u can type in pink flying paper to scaly angelic elephant. avalible for ds and dsi.
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| Platforms: | Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Puzzle |
| Developer: | Warner Bros. Games |
| Release date: | October 12, 2010 |
| Price: | $29.99 |
| ESRB rating: | E10+ for Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief |
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