Parents' Guide to Brawl Stars

App iPhone , iPad , Android Free Action Games
Brawl Stars Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

David Chapman By David Chapman , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 10+

Multiplayer fun marred by slow controls and a slower grind.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 10+?

Any Positive Content?

  • Brawl Stars screenshot #1
  • Brawl Stars screenshot #2
  • Brawl Stars screenshot #3
  • Brawl Stars screenshot #4
  • Brawl Stars screenshot #5

Parent and Kid Reviews

See all
age 9+

Based on 50 parent reviews

Parents say that while the game features cartoonish violence and some in-game purchases, it can be an enjoyable experience for older children if proper boundaries are set. However, concerns about addiction and the financial pressure on children to make purchases are prevalent, with many reviews suggesting that young kids may struggle to manage their time and spending effectively while playing.

  • addictive gameplay
  • cartoonish violence
  • in-game purchases
  • set boundaries
  • monitor usage
Summarized with AI
 

 

See all 50 parent reviews
age 8+

Based on 167 kid reviews

Kids say that while the game is entertaining and has engaging gameplay, it suffers from issues like poor matchmaking, a predatory pay-to-win model, and a toxic community, leading to frustrations in both casual and competitive play. The game can be quite addictive, impacting family dynamics, and while most find it suitable for kids, the violence, monetization strategies, and lack of accountability in the ranked system raise concerns among parents.

  • entertaining gameplay
  • poor matchmaking
  • pay-to-win model
  • addictive nature
  • family impact
Summarized with AI
 

 

See all 167 kid reviews

Privacy Rating Warning

  • Unclear whether personal information is sold or rented to third parties.
  • Personal information is shared for third-party marketing.
  • Personalised advertising is displayed.
  • Data are collected by third-parties for their own purposes.
  • User's information is used to track and target advertisements on other third-party websites or services.
  • Unclear whether this product creates and uses data profiles for personalised advertisements.
Learn more about our privacy ratings

What's It About?

Get ready to brawl, because in BRAWL STARS, players take part in multiplayer mayhem, battling it out in arena combat where the action is fast and frantic. Choose from a roster of over twenty fighters, and team up or go solo over a series of different game types ranging from being the first team to collect gems, pulling off an epic heist, scoring goals in some Brawl Ball, or being the last person standing in a Showdown survival. You'll need to use your brains as well as your reflexes to survive, using walls for cover and hiding in the grass to stage an ambush. Team up, fight smart, and win to keep earning your place on the Trophy Road.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 50 ):
Kids say ( 167 ):

There's been a big surge in mobile online shooters lately, thanks to games like Fortnite and PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, but sluggish controls and unlocks makes this shooter quite average. The latest spin in the mobile multiplayer arena shooter genre is Brawl Stars. One way Brawl Stars stands out from the competition is thanks to its variety of gameplay options. The game features a handful of unique game types for players to participate in, whether it's the small-scale battle royale style Showdown, the objective based Heist, or any of the game's rotation of holiday themed events. Add to this the game's robust roster of characters, and you'd think there's more than enough to keep players' interest.

Unfortunately, just because the content is there, that doesn't mean players can access it. Many options are locked until players reach a certain trophy level in the game. Other matches require tickets to join, which usually means spending cash on resources, characters, or other such bundles. Sure, you can grind your way through some of the content, but it can start to take a toll on your patience fairly quickly. This grind wouldn't be so bad except that the game's controls, while simple, aren't all that responsive. Sometimes it feels like the sluggish responsiveness is an even bigger threat than your online opponents. The only upside is that most players are likely dealing with the same problem, giving an even playing field to everyone in the match … but not necessarily in a good way.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about violence in video games. Is the impact of the violence in Brawl Stars affected by the cartoonish visuals in the app? How can violence in games impact younger gamers? Can other forms of media, such as cartoons, have a similar effect on kids?

  • What are some of the ways that game publishers encourage players to spend money in their games? What are some positive incentives and what are some of the negative incentives? How much is too much to spend in an otherwise "free" game?

App Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by

Brawl Stars Poster Image

You May Also Like...

See all

Shoot-'em-Up Alternatives

See all

Best Action Apps

See all recommended app lists

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate