Cubic Ninja
Common Sense says
- Nintendo 3DS
- $39.99
- 2011
Parents say
Kids say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this game.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Cubic Ninja is a maze navigation game with a ninja theme. While there are dangerous obstacles and enemies -- like electrified barriers, flame walls, and floating bad guys -- fighting isn't the object of game. And when violence does occur, it is very unrealistic, as the characters are all basic polygonal cubes (with arms and legs). Know that even though this is a 3DS game, it can be played in 2D as well -- and that it's actually more fun that way. Nintendo does not recommend 3D gameplay for children under seven.
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Puzzle- not action!
What's it about?
The story of CUBIC NINJA feels kind of tacked on, but this is essentially a puzzle game and plot frankly isn't all that important. Basically, the game is about the kidnapping of a cubic princess and the heroic cubic ninja's journey to rescue her. You'll help the ninja navigate over 100 obstacle-filled mazes, moving him in three dimensions as you do. You can either move by tilting the 3DS device or using the control stick and buttons.
Is it any good?
Cubic Ninja is a game with two different control modes: tilt control (which uses the 3DS's built-in accelerometer) or control stick. It's either an OK game or a great game, depending on which mode you choose. Tilt control is the default mode, and it's easy to see why: it's way more fun. Rocking and angling your 3DS to make the square hero navigate the mazes is incredibly enjoyable -- and it feels totally unique when you realize you can move him in three dimensions: Turn the 3DS completely upside down, and CC will "fall" toward the screen, apparently landing on the glass. It's a blast, even if it's not in 3D (the 3D effect only works when you look directly at the screen, so the tilt mode is only in 2D).
You can play in real 3D by choosing stick control, but that makes the game feel a lot more ordinary and less fresh and different. It's better to play in 2D and get an experience that feels worthy of this next-generation device.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about the violence in the game. Does any violence (even unrealistic violence) feel unnecessary in a puzzle game like this?
Does the abstract, polygonal look of the characters minimize the impact of the violence when you see a character broken apart, burned, or shocked?
Game details
- Platforms: Nintendo 3DS
- Price: $39.99
- Available online? Not available online
- Developer: UbiSoft
- Release date: June 14, 2011
- Genre: Puzzle
- ESRB rating: E for Comic Mischief, Crude Humor
- Last updated: June 20, 2019
For kids who love puzzling adventures
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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.