Common Sense Media Review
By Brett Molina
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Explosive racing game encourages aggressive driving.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Split/Second
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 2 parent reviews
Based on 25 kid reviews
Kids say this racing game is a thrilling and explosive experience, appealing to players of various ages due to its fun gameplay and cinematic graphics, which feature dramatic environmental destruction. While some parents express concern over the portrayal of reckless driving and explosions, most reviews note the absence of graphic violence involving humans, making it suitable for younger players, though it may require some adjustment to the unique physics and controls.
- explosive action
- mild violence
- fun for ages
- cinematic experience
- adjustment needed
- concerns about messages
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's It About?
SPLIT/SECOND is an intense racing title set inside a reality television show. Players work through a \"season,\" which consists of a series of episodes each filled with multiple events that include straightforward races, elimination bouts, and time trials. The key twist is that players use their environment to cause spectacular crashes. Once players build up a meter via aggressive driving they can initiate Power Plays which can blow up giant buildings or take out part of a bridge and cause other players to wreck. Outside of season mode players can participate in individual events and battle other drivers online.
Is It Any Good?
The game uses a simple approach for arcade racing, but it proves to be exhiliarating and thrilling. Generating blasts that wreck multiple cars and push you to the front of the pack is quite gratifying, as is dodging huge blasts en route to victory. The driving controls are pretty easy to pick up as well.
Also, there's a sense of unpredictability to each race. Just because you're in last place early doesn't mean you can't execute a major Power Play and hop right back in front. The game features a solid variety of unique, fun modes that make this a great avenue for satisfying your inner thrill-seeker.
Online interaction: Online matches include open voice chat. Common Sense Media does not recommend open voice communications for players under 12 years of age.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how this game compares to other racing titles. Do you prefer games that employ arcade style racing as opposed to a more authentic style?
Families can also discuss the consequences of high-speed racing, and how most racing games fail to depict them with accuracy. Do you think there might be a way for game makers to create a fun racing game with realistic accidents? Do you think this would benefit younger players?
Game Details
- Platforms : PlayStation 3 , Windows , Xbox 360
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : Disney Interactive
- Release date : May 18, 2010
- Genre : Racing
- Topics : Transportation ( Cars & Trucks )
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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