Super Robot Bros: Play & Code!
Cute coder lacks hints, has cartoon violence, may frustrate.
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Super Robot Bros: Play & Code!
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this app.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Super Robot Bros: Play & Code! is a coding logic game that allows kids to practice using sequences, loops, conditions, and event-based visual code blocks. There's no reading required, which may make it simpler for early readers, but there are also no directions or hints. Kids are prompted with visual cues when they are introduced to new tools, but there's no such help with new obstacles. Later levels can be quite tricky, especially when you aren't entirely sure how the pieces work. Obstacles include a robot-eating plant, grouchy porcupine, and canon shooting mean-looking bombs. These electrocute the robot avatar and cause it to disappear. There's a link the publisher's other games on the main screen which requires solving an addition problem as a parent gate. Read the developer's privacy policy for details on how your (or your kids') information is collected, used, and shared and any choices you may have in the matter, and note that privacy policies and terms of service frequently change.
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What’s It About?
SUPER ROBOT BROS: PLAY & CODE! is a game that is designed to help kids learn coding logic. They start by customizing their own robot avatar and then set out to collect coins and keys by solving puzzles. Each level has a logic puzzle that requires getting the robot from point A to point B. Kids can earn up to 3 coins on each level, but coins aren't required to move forward. They start by using basic navigation, like walking or jumping left or right. The next section adds in loops, so kids can repeat instructions. There are no bonuses for more efficient "code," so the benefit here is saving time/space. Conditions allow kids to give special instructions based on what the robot encounters. Is it a coin? Is it a dangerous object? Lastly, events are routines the robot does when certain events take place. Foe example, if something shoots at you, jump over the projectile. Once kids make it to the last section, they unlock the "Create" area where they can make their own levels. By the time kids get to the end, their robot will be collecting coins, jumping over enemies, and shrinking to fit under boulders.
Is It Any Good?
While there are kids who will enjoy this experience, there are better options for teaching kids coding logic. Super Robot Bros: Play & Code! is cute. The custom robot is fun and the menu screens have Rube-Goldberg-style animations. Unfortunately, Super Robot Bros: Play & Code! falls into the same trap other coding logic games face -- tedium. The first area feels like it goes on forever. Moving the robot around the screen with your code is easy enough, but the robot moves slowly and if you make a mistake you have to start at the beginning of your code. Kids who get beyond that will enjoy levels that are faster paced and more interesting but lack any sort of hint system or help. It's not always clear what objects do and waiting for your robot to do the moves over and over while you figure it out can be frustrating. Some objects are unpredictable, making progress even more sluggish. It's also possible for kids to get stuck and not be able to move past a challenging level. The hightlight of Super Robot Bros: Play & Code! is likely the Create area at the very end where kids can create and share their own levels. Much like the rest of the experience, there's no help available, but those who made it this far will likely enjoy swapping levels with friends.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the different types of coding logic in Super Robot Bros: Play & Code! Can you practice giving and following commands in each of the four areas (sequences, loops, conditions, and events)?
How do you like this app in comparison with other apps you could play? As you balance your time on- and offscreen, would this be an app you'd choose to use? Why or why not?
App Details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
- Pricing structure: Paid ($3.99)
- Release date: July 14, 2021
- Category: Educational Games
- Topics: STEM, Robots
- Publisher: Learny Land S.L.
- Version: 1.1
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 10.0 or later; Android 4.4 and up
- Last updated: September 20, 2021
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