Shaun White Skateboarding

Common Sense Media says

Decent skateboarding game has a positive message.

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Quality(i)

 
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Shaun White Skateboarding gallery

What parents need to know

Positive messages

The game's message is fairly positive -- fighting back against an evil, oppressive regime -- and doing it through skateboarding. 

Positive role models

Gamers can choose from several characters, each of whom has his or her own story and unique look. But this is primarily a sports game; narrative is light. Shaun White himself is a good role model for his sportsmanship.

Ease of play

This game is fairly easy to pick up and play. Players who've played other skateboarding games will find the analog-heavy controls familiar. A tutorial at the start of the game helps out players, as well.

Violence

Much like Activision's Tony Hawk skateboarding video game series, skateboarders can take wild spills and bang into one another in this game -- but there is no blood resulting from falls as there is in the Tony Hawk games.

Sex

Suggestive remarks can be heard in the dialogue. One comment mentions a woman's large breasts (though the word is bleeped out). Another discusses going through someone's underwear drawer.

Language

Several mildly profane words can be heard, mostly during dialogue sequences. Examples include: "dumbass," "damn," hell," and "bitch."

Consumerism

Product placement can been seen throughout the game, including Wendy's fast food and Stride chewing gum. Ironically, the game is about fighting back against a conformist society.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Not applicable

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Shaun White Skateboarding is a fairly tame "Teen"-rated gamed. Its suggestive themes, off-color dialogue, and violence (which comes in the form of skateboarding wipe outs) are all relatively mild compared to what players might see in other games rated for players 13 years of age and older, such as shooters and fighters. Plus, it has a positive message about individualism and struggling against conformity. Be aware, though, that this game has significant product and brand placement.

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What's it about?

While many know Shaun White as one of the world’s most recognizable snowboarders, the two-time Olympic gold medalist is also a pro skateboarder. In fact, the 24 year-old San Diego native was the first athlete to compete and medal in both the Summer and Winter X Games back in 2003. Now you can check out his chops in a video game. In SHAUN WHITE SKATEBOARDING the story focuses on a totalitarian government regime known as The Ministry that oppresses its people and imprisons those who try to fight back -- including Shaun White. Players try to rescue White and turn this dismal world into a colorful one while creating the ultimate skate park from crumbled buildings, sprouted trees, and other objects.

Is it any good?

QUALITY
 

Shaun White Skateboarding puts an interesting spin on skateboarding games. "Shaping" lets you, say, hop on a rail and then shape it up in the air to reach the rooftops or take it down to link to something else. Players can create a path through the air, then onto a lamppost, then link it to a rooftop, and so on. Earned points are spent on getting from one spot to another. You start off in a dry, stale, black-and-white world. As you begin to skate a shock wave of influence goes out. Landing tricks causes people around you change, trees to shoot out of the ground, buildings to crumble into big quarter pipes, and so on. This proves fun for about an hour or two, but loses its charm thanks to some mundane tasks and repetitive puzzles. Multiplayer adds a bit more fun, but this game is a better rental than a purchase.

Online interaction: The Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC versions of the game support online two-player modes, including up to 8 people in one game world. The console versions of the game allow for open voice communication via an optional headset. Players could be exposed to foul language, inappropriate conversations, and strangers soliciting personal information.

Families can talk about...

  • Families can talk about the seeming conflict that arises when recognizable brands appear in a game that promotes individuality. Is the game's message of fighting conformity undermined by this obvious commercial consideration? 

  • Families can also discuss the many talents of Shaun White. Should it be surprising that someone who is 

Game details

Platforms:Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Windows
Price:$59.99
Available online?Not available online
Developer:UbiSoft
Release date:October 29, 2010
Genre:Sports
Topics:Sports and martial arts
ESRB rating:T for Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Mild Violence (Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360)

This review of Shaun White Skateboarding was written by

Marc Saltzman

About our rating system

  • ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
  • PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
  • OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
  • NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids of any age.

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Quality

Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Learning ratings

  • Best: Really engaging, great learning approach.
  • Very Good: Engaging, good learning approach.
  • Good: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
  • Fair: Somewhat engaging, okay learning approach.
  • Not for Learning: Not recommended for learning.
  • Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.

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Parent of a 17 year old Written byheydude01 December 19, 2010
AGE
10
QUALITY
 
To me this Shaun White game is something I have never seen before in a good and bad way. The good thing about this game is that it is fun and easy to play and almost anyone can pick it up and start playing, without going through any kind of hard learning curb. The bad thing about this game is to me this game seems like a skateboarder tripping on acid and if anyone has seen the trailer or has played the game they'd know what I'm talking about.
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