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  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 4, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 7.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Kid-safe games are fun -- but not free.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 7 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Most of these games are just for fun, although some have educational touches (like "Feeding Frenzy 2"'s facts about aquatic life) or teach basic concepts about numbers, colors, and shapes.

  • Messages:

    Some of the offerings that feature female characters are a bit stereotypical, such as shopping games and the Carrie the Caregiver series, which involves tending to babies and young children.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    A few games involve battling enemies, but they're very mild -- no blood or direct combat.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    The purpose of the site is to sell games -- there's very little free content. There are plenty of ads to outside Web sites, including ads that resemble content.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About NickArcade

Parents need to know that this section of the Nick Web site features fun games that are appropriate for kids; most have an age recommendation of 7+, although some are clearly intended for younger kids. However, the games aren't free -- they range from $6.99 (with the purchase of an "arcade pass" subscription, starting at an additional $6.99 per month) to $19.99 each. Games must be downloaded, and users can try out each game for 30 minutes before deciding whether or not to buy it. There are lots of links to outside sites, and some of the ads seem like they're part of Nick's content. Note before buying: None of these games can be played on a Mac, and some are incompatible with Windows Vista.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how ads can sometimes look like content. Did you click on any ads thinking they were games on the site? Why do you think Nick includes a "bumper" message before it sends you to an outside site? Families can also discuss how kids should always ask a parent's permission before downloading files. Do you think the games on this site are more fun than the free games you've played? Can you tell if a game is worth paying for after playing it for 30 minutes?

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