Common Sense Media Review
By Jinny Gudmundsen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent and boring -- not much to roar about.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
What's It About?
In conjunction with the movie release of The Chronicles of Narnia, Buena Vista Games created three multi-platform video games all called THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE. This Game Boy Advance version is the only one that carries an \"E\" rating (the Nintendo DS version is \"E+10\", and the console/PC version is rated \"T\"). In this slash-and-dash game, players become the Pevensie kids and spend most of their time running around the world of Narnia, fighting the minions of the evil White Witch.
The game offers a few unique twists, such as having the players monitor their characters' health and warmth. Since the White Witch has turned Narnia into a winter wasteland, players need to seek ways to keep the Pevensie kids warm, including finding fires and warm things to eat. Kids may also be interested in the earning of Nobilitie -- special powers to do extraordinary things like calling others to you for help.
Is It Any Good?
Because this game's main focus is battling and inflicting pain, it's inappropriate for young kids, even though it's rated "E." Older kids, especially teen boys, who like the challenge of combat games won't find much to excite them. While the game can be played on four different levels, there are few fighting options other than hitting the "A" button repeatedly. Two-player cooperative play is available when two Game Boys are linked.
Families looking to re-create the storyline of this classic children's literature will be disappointed with the Game Boy Advance version. While the game does a nice job of graphically representing the world presented in the movie, the gameplay focuses on combat -- even introducing it where it was not present in the movie. Only three of the 17 chapters in the game are not about combat.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why the video game publisher chose to create a combat game instead of a game involving strategy. Also, ask your kids to consider the release date for the game. How might it help promote the Narnia movie -- and how might the movie promote this game?
Game Details
- Platform : Game Boy Advance
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Buena Vista Interactive
- Release date : February 2, 2006
- Genre : Role-Playing
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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