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PlayStation (http://www.playstation.com)

common sense media says

Find out what's really playing in your PS console.

parents & educators say
See all 7 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this well-organized console hub is a popular site for gaming fans. Some of the games, including Metal Gear Solid 4 and Grand Theft Auto IV, are featured with screen shots and video that has some stuff that isn't so great for kids and younger teens. There's a whole host of characters behaving badly in some games. Fortunately, the ESRB ratings are listed and can help parents make smart choices of what to get for their kids, but that won't prevent much: The very weak safeguard that kids need to view more violent content is simply to enter their date of birth; this clearly won't prevent kids who want to see the more violent game clips from doing so.

Educational value: ESRB ratings can help parents and kids make appropriate decisions about which games to buy.
Positive messages: Some of the games highlighted on this site are not appropriate for kids due in part to the violent content, adult characters smoking, objectified women characters. On the plus side, for gaming fans, the site has news and a blog that includes info from game creators and discussion about games.
Violence: Promos of some games have very violent screen shots, audio and video, including weapons of all kinds and dead bodies or figures of people in the process of being wounded or killed, especially in war-related action. ESRB ratings are listed.
Sex: Video of some games includes sexually suggestive images, but there are ESRB ratings listed. One scene from GTA IV shows a silhouette of a stripper pole dancing. In another game's promo video, the main shot of a woman is essentially a view of her cleavage.
Language: ESRB ratings, including language warnings, are listed.
Consumerism: There is a "Buy Now" button on each game's main page and a link to an online PlayStation store. Big ticket items like a $499.99 MGS4 game bundle are highlighted.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Smoking, alcohol, drug references in some games. ESRB ratings listed
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

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What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about ESRB ratings. This site offers the perfect opportunity for parents to sit down with their gaming fans and view some of this content together before deciding to buy a game. Discuss the usefulness of ESRB ratings and why they are important to healthy media consumption. But even ESRB ratings need to be double-checked. Read about ESRB content in this CSM article: New Games Push Ratings Envelope.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
This site is good because it shows parents the broad range of video games that kids have to choose from -- from tennis pro Top Spin 3 to crime-laden GTA IV and everything in between -- and it illustrates how important it is to check out what your kids want to buy. PlayStation does a good job of highlighting ESRB ratings and in giving a realistic picture of what players are going to experience if they choose to buy a game. Many of these games are high-quality productions, even the ones with the extreme levels of violence. Viewing the video clips on this site that show just how well created and engaging these games are may help parents see kids' attraction to them -- as well as some of their dangers or benefits, depending on the game.
This review was written by Dana Villamagna
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

coolsunday
kid, 12 years old
 
go
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (3)
royron
teen, 16 years old
2
 
OK for everyone
14? Are you kidding? Thats pure BS.
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coolkat
kid, 13 years old
9
 
what the crap
first of all i would rat this 9 in case of little kids buying crap secondlyhomestar runner onlysaid stelling from the man in coll things and a few sbemails and last homestar runner is not a fan site
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blueguy101
kid, 13 years old
 
yes yes u must have!
it is so awesome! i have ps2 and 3! they all rock! mostly ps3
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NickTwo
kid, 13 years old
 
god
I go on this website all the time. dont listen to the 14+ bull.
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crap565
adult
6
 
for kids by all means
14+??!! B***s**t!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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hadjindongo
adult
2
 
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About our rating system
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
Our child development rating guidelines