Common Sense Media Review
By Chad Sapieha
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Raucous co-op platformer with lots of cartoony death.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
BattleBlock Theater
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 3 parent reviews
Based on 29 kid reviews
Kids say this game is a hilarious and entertaining platformer that's suitable for younger audiences, featuring mild cartoon violence and humorous content. Many enjoy the customizable character options and level editor, while some note that certain aspects, like crude humor and mild swearing, may require parental guidance.
- funny gameplay
- mild violence
- character customization
- family-friendly
- platforming action
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's It About?
Cartoony cats are portrayed as evil and sadistic in BATTLEBLOCK THEATER, a downloadable game for Xbox Live Arcade. The felines take a group of blocky protagonists prisoner when they wash up on the cats' strange island. The cats force the players' heroes to traverse dozens of deadly side-scrolling obstacle courses for their amusement, leaping over liquid-filled chasms, avoiding beams of electricity, and dealing with enemies ranging from kung fu kittens to weird reindeer raccoons, all the while keeping an eye out for gems, strawberries, and balls of yarn that can be used to buy new avatar items and offensive abilities in the prison gift shop. Beyond the campaign lies an arena mode containing eight team-based and competitive game types for up to four players, as well as a level editor that allows players to quickly and easily build and share their own challenges with players around the world.
Is It Any Good?
You're unlikely to find an XBLA game with more content than this polished little platformer. The story mode -- which has a wickedly funny narrator -- lasts nearly 10 hours and offers a very different experience if you play with friends, who can throw each other across gaps and help lug each other up onto high ledges.
The Arena mode, meanwhile, is essentially a Super Smash Bros. game in miniature, with no less than eight different modes, ranging from a world coloring challenge to king of the hill contests. And the easy-to-use level editor offers hours more fun, both in creating and sharing your own playlists of up to 15 themed levels and playing those crafted by other gamers. Even if only one of the game's three pillars of play appeals, it's still well worth the $15 investment.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the impact of violence in media. This game features frequent violence, but it doesn't involve humans, is very cartoonish, and stops short of blood and gore (though players will see tiny bones). What age do you think it's appropriate for?
Families can also discuss social gaming. Do you like to play games alone or with friends? If the former, are there times you wish you could share your experience? If the latter, are you occasionally frustrated when your gaming pals keep you from doing what you want to do? Are there games that can satisfy both types of gamer at the same time?
Game Details
- Platform : Xbox 360
- Subjects : Hobbies : building , collecting , Arts : drawing
- Skills : Collaboration : cooperation , meeting challenges together , teamwork , Tech Skills : digital creation , using and applying technology , Thinking & Reasoning : strategy
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Microsoft Studios
- Release date : April 3, 2013
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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