Common Sense Media Review
By Conny Coon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Marvel heroes give kids a safe intro to virtual worlds.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
What's It About?
This safe virtual community and gaming site is based on the Super Hero Squad Show from Marvel Animation and is full of super-powered crime fighters who play games, complete missions, decorate their \"headquarters,\" and win virtual prizes. Virtual currency is used to buy items and new heroes, but it's the real currency (courtesy of a parent's credit card) that unlocks access to many of the bigger and better features. Hero Up is entertaining and engaging -- especially for kids who like superheroes -- and it offers a safe introduction to virtual worlds.
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Is It Any Good?
Marvel Comics knows kids connect with superheroes, and this web-based virtual world is a spin-off of their television cartoon "The Super Hero Squad Show," where good crime fighters go against evil villains such as Dr. Doom. Animated avatars allow kids to become the heroes, engage in activities and games individually or with others, collect virtual cash to spend along the way, and safely chat in common areas. There's a sense of adventure kids will love. It's kind of exciting and cool to see superheroes dash across the screen to complete missions when you're hanging out in Super Hero City, and the interactive game lets kids move around in search of seedy villains to battle. Fighting is tame and animated, and the missions start simple and get progressively more difficult, but the game play and interaction is kid-friendly and fun. There is, however, money to be made by Marvel, so there's a steady push toward pricey upgrades (one month is $7.95; a full year is $79.95) to unlock more goodies. Kids may see parents as heroes for letting them linger on this safe, fun-filled virtual world.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about staying safe in a virtual world and the importance of chat etiquette, reporting bad behavior, and keeping personal information private. Read over the "Hero's Code" and discuss what it means and how it helps keep kids safe.
Talk about why many virtual world websites try to keep kids on their sites for as long as possible. Discuss why it's important to limit how much time is spent there, despite the strong incentives to stay.
Talk about why virtual worlds such as Hero Up and Club Penguin use pretend money and encourage kids to upgrade their accounts. How does upgrading benefit the website? What do they do to entice kids?
Website Details
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : decision-making , problem solving
- Genre : Virtual Worlds
- Topics : Superheroes
- Pricing structure : Free
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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