Fast & Furious: Showdown
Buggy, unimaginative race game where you're a car thief.
Fast & Furious: Showdown
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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 Fast & Furious: Showdown is a racing game tied to a popular movie franchise -- and just like the films it's based upon, you can steal cars, evade the police, and shoot at enemy vehicles (mostly other thieves) to see their cars explode. It's clearly fictional -- and there's a story thread about you trying to stop a dangerous international gang -- but the premise has no positive messaging for kids. Along with some violence there is also some mild profanity in the game. Xbox 360 and PS3 gamers can also talk with strangers online while playing the game.
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What’s It About?
Is It Any Good?
Like most movie-related video games that conveniently launch at the same time as the film it's based upon, Fast & Furious Showdown is a real mess. Where to start? The game is short. It's ridden with technical bugs, bad A.I., and graphical glitches. The vehicles aren't easy to handle and the shooting mechanics are sloppy. The voice acting is terrible and the bland environments all look the same.
As you can see, there's very little to like about this poor excuse for a video game. Even if Fast & Furious: Showdown was $20 instead of $40, and you're a huge fan of the movie franchise, it still wouldn't be worth your time. Let this game be a reminder for publishers like Activision not to throw money at a game with a movie tie-in unless you're willing to make it a great game on its own merits. Note: All versions of the game are the same, except for the Nintendo 3DS version.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about assuming the role of a car thief. How does it feel to play this type of character?
What is the impact of media violence?
Game Details
- Platforms: Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii U, PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360
- Subjects: Science: motion, physics
- Skills: Self-Direction: achieving goals, time management, Thinking & Reasoning: applying information, strategy, Collaboration: teamwork
- Available online?: Available online
- Publisher: Activision
- Release date: May 28, 2013
- Genre: Racing
- Topics: Cars and Trucks, Adventures
- ESRB rating: T for Mild Language, Violence
- Last updated: August 26, 2016
Our Editors Recommend
-
Forza Motorsport 4
Excellent racing sim that's easy to play but has open chat.
-
Gran Turismo 5
Extraordinarily fun racing sim is deep but unrealistic.
For kids who love racing and fast action
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