Common Sense Media Review
By Chris Morris
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Bright, entertaining take on endless-runner genre.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
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Subway Surfers
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 24 parent reviews
Parents say the game is generally enjoyable and suitable for kids, with appealing graphics and dynamic gameplay, although it may be highly addictive and includes in-app purchases that can lead to unintended spending. Some parents express concern over themes of consumerism and modest violence, as well as the necessity to manage their children's app usage and privacy issues related to data collection.
- addictive gameplay
- consumerism concerns
- in-app purchases
- suitable for kids
- privacy issues
Summarized with AI
Based on 73 kid reviews
Kids say some find the game to be overrated and repetitive over time, while others appreciate its fun, simple gameplay and school appropriateness for older students. Concerns have been raised about violence, advertising, racial stereotypes, and the potential for addiction, but many still recommend it for its engaging design and ease of play.
- addictive gameplay
- school appropriate
- concerns about stereotypes
- repetitive over time
- advertising issues
Summarized with AI
What's It About?
Like most endless runner games, there's a threadbare plot to Subway Surfers. You run, trying to dodge capture and obstacles, swiping up to jump or down to slide. Swiping side to side lets you switch tracks as you run. Along the way, players collect coins, which can be used for power-ups, but those same power-ups are also sprinkled along the tracks.
Is It Any Good?
There's really nothing particularly new about Subway Surfers. Like Temple Run, the point is to run endlessly to avoid capture. But it's still an immensely entertaining game. That might be because of the bright setting and happy characters. It could be due to the dense number of power-ups you encounter as you run. It could be the streamlined control scheme that takes the best from other games and leaves out the complicated parts.
Ultimately, it doesn't matter why the game is so fun. You'll be too busy playing, then playing again -- and again -- to overthink it. It expands on a formula that was in danger of becoming stale and makes it fun all over again.
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android , Kindle Fire
- Pricing structure : Free
- Release date : February 28, 2013
- Genre : Action Games
- Publisher : Kiloo
- Version : 1.8.0
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 4.3 or later; Android 2.3.3 and up
- Last updated : November 6, 2025
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