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The Tale of Despereaux (DS)
(2008, Video Games - Action/Adventure, Rated E, Play it on: Nintendo DS)
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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 5, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 7. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Better than the console game, a fun side-scrolling puzzler.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 7 and Up
The good stuff
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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 The Tale of Despereaux (DS) was written by Jinny Gudmundsen
Parents need to know that this is a video game based on the movie The Tale of Despereaux. While it is a side-scrolling platform game with envionmental puzzles, it also has some combat, so if you are looking for a violence-free game, this isn't it. The violence is very mild and involves the lead character, Despereaux the mouse, wielding a sewing needle sword to dispatch bugs and other creatures that get in his way. The hit creatures fade away, without any blood. There is also a console version of this game with the same name, but it is a completely different game.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about what made Despereaux differerent. Why were the other mice so afraid of Despereaux's behavior? Did you buy this game because you saw the movie? How do you think Despereaux felt about his own family? About the Princess Pea? What made him a hero?
More on The Tale of Despereaux (DS)
What’s the Story?
This is a DS video game that is based on the movie The Tale of Despereaux, which follows the story of the Newberry Award-winning book of the same name by Kate DiCamillo. The story portion about how a little brave mouse rescues a princess from some evil rats unfolds via text in between 36 levels of short gameplay. Each level is a side-scrolling adventure across a new environment filled with platforming challenges, critter enemies, as well as puzzles involving objects you can pick up and move. You play as the little mouse hero Despereaux and see the world from his perspective.
You use the multi-directional pad to make Despereaux move, and use the "A," "B," "X," and "Y" buttons to make him do special things like jump, crouch, use grapple hooks, and wield his sword. He can also scurry up walls, jump from wall to wall, and climb up ropes. The DS stylus is used to transfer flames from lit torches to unlit candles and torches.
Is It Any Good?
While this is a linear game which doesn't take very long to complete (under 5 hours), it's gameplay is fun and the 36 levels are inventive. For example, when you encounter some menacing rats, if you lead them back to a mousetrap which you jump over, they will run right over it and get snagged. Likewise, if you transfer light from a torch to a candle, the mean rats will cower, shake with fear, and ignore you.
This game is great for kids because it has frequent save points and a generous number of lives so when you fall off a cliff or get attacked by rats, you will be returned to a spot close to where you were in the level and can try to figure out a better way to proceed. There are even hidden musical notes in each level which, if found, unlock the 6 bonus levels. So there is a motivation to go back to a level and replay it. The graphics are also quite good, making this mouse-viewed world fascinating to explore.
Publisher’s Details
Released on 12/12/2008, price $29.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E (for Mild Cartoon Violence)
ESRB rating: E (for Mild Cartoon Violence)
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
It was awsome
- I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
MY DAUGHTERS
THIS GIVEN 2 MY DAUGHTER B-CUZ SHE LOVES THAT LITTLE MOUSE. . . . .
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
its a game to enjoy
the game is soooooooooooooooooooooooooo awsome!
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
they was a princess and a prince.
There was this little princess and she lived in a castle and her name was Holly and she was a bautiful bright lady and she meet this prince named Dillon meet and she fell over a tree lump and he helped her up and she said thank sir my name is Holly whats yours my name is Dillon would you like some tea Dillon yes mam I would so are the girl that was singing yesterday well yes it was and I Know that I was bad at sing and I dont plame you I plame my self and myself only no you have a good voice I dont but I would like to hear you sing again some time tomorrow morning the birds will sing along thats the great part and if you need me come to 2218 rye loop r.d and we can see if you can sing like my aunt she is in a crire and you both sing good like me just joking and we can have some tea and we can talk I will talk to you later bye-bye.
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