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Wizards of Waverly Place

(2009, Video Games - Action/Adventure, Rated E, Play it on: Nintendo DS)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 6, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    TV's magical tweens star in adventure with logic puzzles.

In this game kids can:   improve hand-eye coordination, model clothes, solve a mystery, solve puzzles

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Ease of play:

    This game is easy to play using the DS stylus and offers a variety of things to do.
  • Educational value:

    Kids use problem-solving skills to figure out which spells to use in a given situation.
  • Online interaction:

    This game can connect to D-Gamer, a place for kids to interact with others, as well as unlock costumes and achievements found in the game.
  • Messages:

    While the Russo siblings occasionally cause mischief with their magic (sometimes intentionally, and sometimes as the result of a spell backfiring), they strive to help their parents and teachers.
  • Role models:

    Alex is slightly preoccupied with a boy (Dean), and fashion, and sometimes tries to get out of doing chores. But overall she's helpful and proves to be a good friend.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Based on the Wizards of Waverly Place Disney franchise. This game is a way of extending the brand.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Wizards of Waverly Place was written by Erin Bell

Parents need to know that Wizards of Waverly Place is an adventure game that emphasizes puzzle-solving and interacting with other characters rather than combat. Spells occasionally backfire, resulting in broken science experiments or people being temporarily frozen (hence the "Comic Mischief" disclaimer), but the tone is cheeky rather than mean-spirited. Alex is somewhat preoccupied with her crush, Dean, but it's innocent. One of the mini-games asks trivia questions about the TV show, which might trip up players unfamiliar with Waverly "lore." The game also supports Disney's DGamer online features that let players unlock costumes and achievements.

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 it would be like to lead a double life. Why was it important for the kids to keep their magic skills a secret?
  • Which school do you think it would be more fun to attend? TriBeca Prep or the WizTech school of magic?
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More on Wizards of Waverly Place

What’s the Story?

Based on the Disney TV show of the same name, WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE is a Nintendo DS adventure game that follows the story of three siblings (Alex, Max, and Justin Russo) who also happen to be wizards-in-training. Players alternate between controlling all three Russo kids as they try to balance their "normal" lives attending TriBeca Prep and working at the family's sandwich shop in Waverly Place with honing their magic skills in secret at the WizTech magic school. When people randomly start being frozen by some kind of strange magic, the siblings must get to the bottom of the mystery. Close

Is It Any Good?

Players will spend most of their time figuring out which items or spells are needed to solve puzzles – for example, the guys can't play dodge ball until they've found the coach's missing whistle, which another student dropped in the park. Players can use a variety of magic spells to manipulate objects in the environment – including "move," "levitate," and "freeze," – by tracing the correct pattern with the stylus. There are a variety of mini-games too, such as making sandwiches, hitting targets with a catapult, and popping bubbles to mix potions. Older, more experienced gamers might find the "fetch quest" aspect of the gameplay a bit transparent, but Wizards of Waverly Place is a solid game with plenty of different things to do, none of which are overly difficult or frustrating. For its target audience, namely the same 'tweens that watch the TV show, the game shouldn't disappoint. Close

Publisher’s Details

Released on 8/25/2009, price $29.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E (for Comic Mischief)

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    good for 8+ and also 4 teens

    actualy i couldnt open it!!!!!!! but have heard a lot from ma frnds

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 8
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Safety is an issue

    • My highlights are:
    • Safety isn't an issue

    love it

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title iffy for age 6 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages

    cool and wizardy

    i bet eveybody love this game and i am not 14!

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