 | 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. |
Touch Mechanic
- Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi
- Price: $29.99
- Genre: Simulation
Common Sense Media says
Car mechanic sim with iffy role model, repetitive repairs.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this game is a simulation game that puts you in control of a character learning the ins and outs of being an auto mechanic. Using the DS stylus, players will change tires, paint vehicles, add new mufflers, and even cut and replace panels on vehicles. The main character is scared and nervous of police officers because a friend of his was killed in a car accident and initially he hides from the cops.
What's it about?
TOUCH MECHANIC puts the player in the role of a young car enthusiast with aspirations of working for a race stable. The mechanic has to start at the bottom and work his way up. Using similar controls to what was seen in Trauma Center, the player will be in charge of many facets of auto maintenance to begin, then move onto customizing his own car for entering in auto shows.
Players will sand, paint, and weld new parts to cars as well as perform regular maintenance such as air filter changing and tire changes. While this may sound tedious it's actually quite enjoyable and the rags to riches story will keep players interested and engaged.
Is it any good?
Early in the game, players are told what to do and how to do each step along the way. After moving past the first customs show, players must remember the tasks they've done before. Tasks do get quite repetitive as one can expect, with four tires each held on with four bolts – but the object is to learn new tricks like how to change over to a dual exhaust system or add a new bumper. These new tricks take some of the sting out of the repetitive segments.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the importance of car maintenance, and what type of things go into changing a tire or painting a car. They should also discuss the main character and his desire to hide from the police, and how this is not the correct way to approach the situation.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
| Platforms: | Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Simulation |
| Developer: | Aspyr |
| Release date: | March 24, 2009 |
| Price: | $29.99 |
| ESRB rating: | E for Mild Language, Violent References |
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