Common Sense Media Review
Action and role-playing with huge, brawling insects.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Battle of Giants: Mutant Insects
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's It About?
BATTLE OF GIANTS: MUTANT INSECTS takes place in a post-apocalyptic future in which an asteroid has landed on Earth, bringing with it (surprise!) giant mutant insects. You take on the role of one of four different varieties -- scorpion, mantis, spider, or a flying ant -- and trudge through various landscapes, battling similar creatures. By defeating enemies -- and crushing buses, lampposts, and other objects in your path -- you= earn points redeemable for stronger body parts, special abilities, and custom colors. Players can play head-to-head with up to four in tournament matches or play through a solo adventure. When two creatures meet, the game shifts to battle mode, a split screen environment. You control your insect's moves by tapping and dragging the screen. For instance, touching and dragging your creature's head prompts it to bite or spit a projectile at the opponent. A \"bonus battle\" mode will let players launch special attacks that use powers to damage opponents in other ways such as freezing and igniting. There are also dodges and blocks available, controlled by dragging the stylus as well.
Is It Any Good?
The customization of your insect is definitely the highlight of the game; you can make your character look cool, though ultimately the upgrading has little effect on the gameplay itself. The combat system, using the stylus exclusively, is fun and intuitive, requiring no use of buttons at all. Sometimes these battle controls are a bit (ahem), buggy; tapping a creatures body part initiates an unintended action from a different limb. Overall, however, the game is fun, simple, and maintains a playful, slightly silly over-the-top tone. For the target audience, this should be satisfying experience that combines fighting, role playing, and adventure.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the four insects available to players. Would a spider square off against a praying mantis, flying ant, or scorpion in real life? Which of the animals is the strongest in nature and what actual strengths do they posess?
Discuss favorite insects. Are their unique abilities part of their defense in nature? What are some reassons these insects might actually fight?
Game Details
- Platform : Nintendo DS
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : UbiSoft
- Release date : March 4, 2010
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : June 4, 2022
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
Suggest an Update
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