Marvel Super Hero Squad
By Christopher Healy,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Loads of fighting with heroes but has funny, spoofy vibe.
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Marvel Super Hero Squad
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Based on 2 parent reviews
Good game, for older kids
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Neat Game Lots of FUN!!!
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What’s It About?
MARVEL SUPER HERO SQUAD takes familiar characters from Marvel Comics and presents them in humorous, half-spoofy adventures. The game's main plot revolves around the evil Dr. Doom, who resides in Villainsville, and his search for the pieces of a special crystal which he wants to use to power a giant ray gun. He plans to use the ray to threaten the good people of Super Hero City. Fortunately, those folks are protected by the Super Hero Squad -- Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Wolverine, Falcon, Silver Surfer, and other surprise heroes -- who race to collect the crystal shards before Doom's henchmen can find them.
Is It Any Good?
Marvel Super Hero Squad is a good, solid game that attempts to put some techni-color fun back into the superhero genre. Co-op play adds to the enjoyment, and the arena battles (for those who want to eschew the story and just go toe-to-toe) are well done.
Just like comic book movies, comic-based games like Batman: Arkham Asylum and Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 have gotten darker and grittier of late, but Super Hero Squad goes in the opposite direction. The heroes are depicted as squat, almost toy-like figures; the villains are hapless goons with squeaky voices; and jokes fly along with the punches. Sure, there's still plenty of fighting in the game, but it's nice that (slightly) younger fans can finally have a chance to play with their favorite heroes. It might not be the greatest superhero game ever made, but it's a truly refreshing change of pace.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it means to be a hero. The heroes in this game act very differently -- the dimwitted Hulk, the wisecracking Wolverine, the noble Thor, etc. -- and yet, they are all heroes.
Parents can also discuss violence in the media in general. Why do so many shows, movies, and games revolve around fighting and conflict. Could there be another way for superheroes to have adventures without violence?
Game Details
- Platforms: Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi, Nintendo Wii, PSP, PlayStation 2
- Available online?: Not available online
- Publisher: THQ
- Release date: October 20, 2009
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Topics: Superheroes
- ESRB rating: E10+ for Cartoon Violence
- Last updated: August 31, 2016
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