Wipeout 3

Game review by Chad Sapieha, Common Sense Media
Wipeout 3 Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 9+

Simplistic obstacle course game is glitchy and boring.

Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Wii U, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 2012
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Kids say

age 6+

Based on 4 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this game.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Wipeout 3 is a simulation of the popular TV show with which it shares its name. It contains about the same level of violence -- players will see contestants getting whacked and falling in water, sometimes in replays from new angles -- though the humor is perhaps a little bit cleaner (unlike the TV show, the game's virtual contestants never utter any profanity that needs to be bleeped out). Parents should also know that most of the hazards in the game would be difficult for kids to reconstruct themselves, though the game may inspire them to build their own obstacle courses.

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What’s It About?

If you've ever seen Wipeout the TV show then you probably have a pretty good idea what WIPEOUT 3 the video game is about. Players choose one of several \"episodes\" and then run and jump through four themed obstacle courses, just like contestants do on the show. The goal is to complete each gauntlet -- composed of various slides, swinging arms, and rotating platforms -- as quickly as possible in order to beat your competitors. Unlike the TV show, the game also features golden rings for players to collect. Players can earn points used to purchase new costume items that confer slight performance advantages. Four-player simultaneous party play is supported. The Wii U version allows one player to use the Wii U GamePad screen as a dedicated display in two-player matches.

Is It Any Good?

It's strange how a TV show that feels so much like a video game should translate so poorly to the video game world. Part of the problem is that the action is overly simplified. All players do most of the time is press forward or backward to move their contestant and tap one button to jump and another to duck. It almost feels like a game from 30 years ago -- except most classic games didn't have so many glitches. Expect to encounter everything from badly echoing audio to frozen screens. And poor collision detection means characters are just as likely to bounce off a wall of air rather than one of the show's famous big red balls. Wipeout super fans may eke out a little fun through a few quick episodes, but whatever meager charm this product tie-in has wears off far too quickly to justify its price tag.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about social gaming. Would you rather run through this game's challenges on your own, or with a friend playing simultaneously? Does playing together with someone in the same room make the game more fun?

  • Families can also discuss physical humor. What is it about people injuring themselves on TV that makes us laugh? Would you laugh if you watched a video of yourself getting hurt? When is it definitely not okay to laugh at people suffering physical abuse?

Game Details

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