Common Sense Media Review
By Amanda Bindel
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Erratic controls, animal exploitation mar lovely graphics.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
My Dolphin Show
What's It About?
In MY DOLPHIN SHOW dolphins jump through hoops, knock over bowling pins, and splash guests for the applause of the audience and fish rewards from a trainer. In the game, kids control the dolphin, guiding it through the obstacles according to the trainer's signals. If the dolphin completes the challenges and keeps the audience seats filled, kids earn more stars and coins. Stars unlock additional levels and show venues, and coins can purchase costumes and other types of animals.
Is It Any Good?
The graphics are well-done -- beautiful coral fills the training pool -- and the dolphins are impressive to watch as they jump, flip, and kiss the trainers. But even overlooking a premise that some will find controversial, the controls are too erratic and difficult to master for kids to feel like they're actually controlling the dolphin's moves. Add to that the barrage of in-app purchases to unlock other levels and a request for a five-star rating, and this just-for-fun game may not be the best choice for most kids.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the conditions that the dolphins and whales in these kinds of shows live in and how they're trained. What do they already know? What do they want to learn?
Discuss ocean mammal behaviors in the wild. What do dolphins eat? How do they play? Is it similar to or different from what the dolphin does in the game?
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android , Kindle Fire
- Pricing structure : Paid (Kids can pay to unlock levels or buy additional coins and costumes.)
- Release date : March 15, 2015
- Genre : Kids' Games
- Topics : Animals ( Ocean Creatures )
- Publisher : SPIL GAMES
- Version : 1.8
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 5.0 or later; Android 2.3.3 and up
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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