Parents' Guide to Jaws Unleashed

Game PlayStation 2 2006
Jaws Unleashed Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

By Chris Jozefowicz , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 18+

Violent action game really bites -- adults only.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 18+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 10+

Based on 6 parent reviews

age 11+

Based on 20 kid reviews

Kids say this game is an exciting but highly violent experience, with many reviews highlighting its brutal gameplay where players control a shark wreaking havoc on innocent beachgoers. While some players find it fun and engaging, concerns are raised about its appropriateness for younger audiences due to excessive gore and swearing, suggesting it might be better suited for teens and adults.

  • violent gameplay
  • not for kids
  • fun experience
  • parental supervision
  • age recommendations
  • excessive gore
Summarized with AI

What's It About?

In JAWS UNLEASHED, gamers have the opportunity to take control of one of the greatest antiheroes in movie history: the great white shark from the Jaws movies. As the game begins, Jaws is captured and put on display in an aquarium on Amity Island. After players break out, they roam freely in the waters around the island, swimming to story missions and side challenges, or simply cruising the waters looking for human and animal victims.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 6 ):
Kids say ( 20 ):

Jaws Unleashed is simply a mess. The story missions are only loosely connected, and the objectives can be tough to figure out. Players will quickly grow bored with ramming boats and moving explosive barrels around, all the while avoiding little fish or sharks that can rapidly drain Jaws's health.

Yet the controls are the biggest problem. Players often struggle to get Jaws in the right spot to eat a swimmer or place a barrel. The imprecise swimming and attacking is further undermined by a game camera that gets stuck behind objects or pops above the water when the action is below the surface. One of the more frustrating parts of the game is watching Jaws' health disappear while desperately swimming around, rotating the camera, looking for the man or beast that's doing the damage.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about role playing in video games. Is there a difference between playing as a violent good guy and a violent bad guy? Is the violence more acceptable if it's in the service of good? Families may also wish to discuss how games can be used to promote the movies on which they're based.

Game Details

  • Platform : PlayStation 2
  • Pricing structure :
  • Available online? : Not available online
  • Publisher : Majesco
  • Release date : June 7, 2006
  • Genre : Action/Adventure
  • ESRB rating : M for Blood and gore, Intense violence
  • Last updated : October 9, 2025

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Jaws Unleashed Poster Image

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