GameGecko (http://gamegecko.com/)

common sense media says

Game site with too much blood and guts.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that some games on this site are violent and feature fighting, blood, and bruising, although the "shooting games" aren't heavily promoted and are on the bottom of the page. The site's IM feature lets users chat with other users in a public IM window or on a one-to-one basis without any restrictions -- and the talk does get pretty racy. The site sometimes sticks moderators in the chats, but in most cases they rely on other users' complaints. Users can -- and do -- say inappropriate things like "Wanna have cybersex with me?" and swearing isn't filtered out. Users can block others from IMing them directly or complain about them by clicking on a "warn" button; although someone has to be warned by multiple visitors before being banned, and it's unclear how many warnings it takes for that to happen.

Educational value: A few games -- such as word puzzles -- involve using your brain.
Positive messages: Like all game sites, it's easy for kids to get sucked into to playing around.
Violence: Some games are very violent and feature fighting, blood, and bruising. The "shooting games" aren't promoted, though, and kids have to scroll to the bottom of the page to see them.
Sex: The games are fairly tame; group IMing on the site is not -- users openly discuss cybersex and more.
Language: No apparent filters. One game congratulates the winner by saying "You kicked his ass!"
Consumerism: The site has many banner ads and links to other game sites including a U.K.-based site with a large dating banner ad featuring a woman who's nearly naked.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: One of the sites linked to features a game called "Sittin' at the Bar" that advises users to "Drink until you drop!"

More on GameGecko

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about why it's dangerous for users to be able to contact you without being screened first. Why is it bad to answer a random IM, even if you're logged in under a username? Also, what's OK to share with someone online and what's better left unsaid?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
The games are easy to access and play right on screen; click on some and you're taken to different gaming sites. A few feature fun, familiar characters and even impressive graphics -- the Transformers game, for example, looks like an animated comic strip. On the positive side, many of the games on GameGecko.com do involve good, clean gaming fun, such as its dress-up games. It's just too bad that overall, the site may have enough content to provide hours of entertainment -- but it's often not valuable entertainment for younger players.

This review was written by Erin Brereton
 
 

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I like Gameplode more. *gameplode*

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ON: Content is 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