Parents' Guide to

Battleship

By Christy Matte, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Classic remake adds new strategy to the ship hunting game.

App iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android Paid Board Games
Battleship Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this app.

  • Battleship App: Screenshot #1
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  • Battleship App: Screenshot #3
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  • Battleship App: Screenshot #5

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What’s It About?

At the core, BATTLESHIP is much as you might remember it from childhood. Players place 5 hidden "ships" on a grid and take turns dropping bombs on the opponent's grid to uncover and therefore "sink" each ship. This version ups things a notch by including alternative boards to the traditional 5x5 grid, as well as a new "Commander Mode." Commander mode adds in ships with new shapes and the ability to use sonar, mines, bombs, and one special ability (specific to the Commander chosen) to help unearth and sink your opponent's ships while protecting your own. Each skill requires a certain amount of energy (rewarded each round and when your own ships are hit), so players must decide whether to save it for more powerful attacks, or use it right away for quick advantage. Players can play solo against AI, online against a randomly assigned opponent, or via an online connection with a friend (via a game code). Solo mode has three difficulty levels: easy, medium, and hard.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (1 ):

Not all board games translate well to an app version, but this classic fave certainly shines with its new app-based gameplay. Some purists may prefer to play only the classic version of Battleship. That version has been included in this game as well, and if you're looking for the traditional game, it's here in its digital glory. But the new Commander mode is a great addition to the game that would have been difficult to implement in a strictly offline situation. The new ship shapes change things up since it's not always as easy to figure out where to fire your next shot. Similarly, the addition of new weapons and unique Commander abilities places a much needed twist on the standard strategy formula. And fortunately, there isn't a lot of pressure around in-app purchases or ads for other games. The only disappointing aspect is that players need to pay more (especially iin a paid app) for a female character, and that they have no options at all to be a Commander of color. But if you're looking for a way to sink your opponent's ships in a fun, entertaining way, Battleship will let you fire away without getting your feet or devices wet.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about strategy. What strategies can you use to increase your odds of winning?

  • What role do real battleships play in historical/current military actions? Does your family know anyone who serves or has served on a battleship?

App Details

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