Common Sense Media Review
By Christopher Healy
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent combat is a huge contrast to previous Zhu games.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Kung Zhu
What's It About?
KUNG ZHU is an action game spun off from the popular cute-and-cuddly Zhu Zhu Pets hamster toys. The hamsters of Kung Zhu (which resemble bears more than hamsters) are members of a special ops military team. They use martial arts, swords and throwing stars, heavy guns, and robotic action suits to battle an army of evil hamsters that have stolen a collection of ancient tablets and kidnapped their comrades. Each hamster you free from imprisonment joins your team. You will also earn new uniquely-powered battle suits as you play.
Is It Any Good?
Kung Zhu bears no resemblance to any other part of the Zhu Zhu Pets franchise. It is an out-and-out military action game -- even if its heroes are hamsters. And as long as you're not looking for the cuddly positivity that you usually associate with Zhu Zhu Pets, it's a pretty good action game. There are a slew of playable characters, each with his own special weapons and attacks -- and a bevy of unique battle suits to equip them with -- which keeps the gameplay varied and exciting. And the controls are super simplified, making it easy for action-game novices to jump right in. Each labyrinthine level offers numerous crossroads that will lead you in all sorts of different directions and offers plenty of opportunity for exploration (not to mention replay value). It's definitely a decent game -- it's just a bit shocking to anybody who knows and likes the Zhu Zhu Pets in their softer, friendlier forms.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in the game. Does violence and fighting belong in a game about cuddly hamsters?
If you're a boy, does the combat and weaponry make the game more appealing to you? Do you still like the other, nonviolent Zhu Zhu Pets games?
Game Details
- Platforms : Nintendo DS , Nintendo DSi
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Activision
- Release date : October 19, 2010
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : January 22, 2025
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