Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Lafferty
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Kart racer is decent but encourages reckless driving.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
NASCAR Unleashed
What's It About?
NASCAR UNLEASHED has four modes of play: Quick Races, Championship - which is akin to a career mode, Time Trials, and split-screen Multiplayer. Players can choose from 15 drivers with NASCAR-style paint jobs; and race on six or so courses that run the gamut from NASCAR courses to beaches and city streets. This is an arcade-style racer with players vying to win the events by bumping and crashing opponents, and using some tactics (like the boost, as well as taking the best lines through the course) to win.
Is It Any Good?
NASCAR Unleashed has some appeal and can be fun in small doses. This is a kart racing game, not a NASCAR game, as the name would somewhat imply; and while the graphics are bright and colorful, the sound can be a bit wearing after a while. The Championship mode is merely OK. The real enjoyment is in racing against another player. This is a game that could have had much more appeal with more tracks (perhaps a track editor) and more modes of play.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how to play games in a responsible manner and set reasonable time limits on gaming.
A discussion can be had about the driving seen in the game and why it is important to be a safe driver in the real world.
Parents can talk about how advertisers try to influence gamers by placing their product names within the games.
Families can also talk about how to pick games that are appropriate for the age of the players.
Game Details
- Platforms : Nintendo 3DS , Nintendo Wii , PlayStation 3 , Xbox 360
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Activision
- Release date : November 1, 2011
- Genre : Racing
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : June 23, 2022
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