Common Sense Media Review
By Christopher Healy
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Racer with cartoon violence that is egged on and encouraged.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
SpongeBob's Boating Bash
What's It About?
SPONGEBOB'S BOATING BASH picks up after SpongeBob SquarePants's 72nd failed driver's ed exam. He meets a stranger who cons him into joining a new, special kind of driving school -- which turns out to actually be a demolition derby circuit. SpongeBob not only stays in the dark about this, but manages to recruit all of his friends for the destruction as well. In the games, drivers smash their \"boatmobiles\" into one another, getting points for the vehicles they disable or the shattered boat parts they pick up.
Is It Any Good?
SPONGEBOB'S BOATING BASH can be hectic, chaotic fun for four players. Older kids who can take all the destruction in the tongue-in-cheek way it is intended can certainly have a good time with the multiplayer modes. Difficulties with the steering and overly capable AI make certain levels of the solo story mode very challenging to complete, though. And as with many games of this type, someone needs to win their way through the solo mode in order to unlock all the parts of the multiplayer section. Boating Bash is definitely a different type of racing game, which is good in certain ways -- but with its nonstop meyhem, it is not so good in other ways. It is best played by kids old enough to appreciate its humor.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the difference between real-life violence and that which children see on screen. Parents should discuss with their children how serious and dangerous an actual car crash can be. Remind children to always wear seat belts in real life and talk about other safety and traffic laws.
Game Details
- Platforms : Nintendo DS , Nintendo DSi , Nintendo Wii
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : THQ
- Release date : March 2, 2010
- Genre : Racing
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : June 28, 2022
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