Battlefront II - PS2

I bought this game for me. I had no real intentions that my boy would play this game for some time. However, being Star Wars, he wanted to, so we started the split screen mode up, and to my surprise, he has been able to play this game pretty well. So, I decided I would give all you parents out there a heads up on Battlefront II, and the younger children.

First off, a quick review. This game is nicely done. In the normal story mode, you play as one of the clone troopers in the 501st. You start out during the time of the Republic, and work your way through Episode III of the movie through the time of where the Clones turn against the Jedi and work your way into the story of Episode IV. If you are a Star Wars fan, you'll like this game. You fight both as a soldier, as well as getting to pilot vehicles and spaceships. You can board the enemy ships, and even take their fighters if you want. There are many places you will battle that you've seen before through the movies.

You get to play several different classes. Each class has its own unique benefits and you can switch between the classes to help get the job done. Also, as you play the game, you get to play characters like Jedi, and even Boba Fett.

There is another mode to this game called Galactic Conquest. Here, you have a map with 12 planets on it, and you start out with a space fleet. You then go through and try to take over other planets. Trying to conquer the Galaxy (hence the catchy name). When you attack the planets, you fight on the ground, in space, you have your marines and pilots to fight as you see fit.

Obviously, this game is meant for teens. You have your rocket launchers, and blaster pistols and rifles, and you kill your opponents. If this is something you don't want you child doing, then this is not the game for you. I don't mind so much as I use these times as teaching moments to help explain reality and fantasy. This isn't a blood and guts type of game, so that helps.

My boy has done real well. The more he plays, the better he gets. I was really impressed last night when he and one of his friends who is a bit older than him were playing. They made it through the first couple of levels with very little help. He has even played it by himself and completed a level or two.

There is reading involved in this game. So, though I've listed that this game is playable for 6 years and older, someone playing should be able to read.

He has told me he likes being able to play as Jedi as well as the other characters. I think part of his love for this game is the same as me. This is Star Wars. You get to explore the environment, you get to BE Star Wars Characters.

If you are looking for a game that you can play with your younger child, then this may just be the game for you. Especially if you both like Star Wars.

If you are after a game that you wont have to help your child play, then this is NOT the game for you.

The game has a Teen rating for Mild Language and Violence. I've seen the violence, but I've not noticed the language. At least not yet.

One last note, I've not played the online portion of this game since I do not yet have a network adapter. As with most online games, the people that you play with makes a huge difference, and I would not suggest a young child play this game online.

Playable ages: 6+
Difficulty: Medium/Hard
ESRB Rating: Teen (Mild Language, Violence)
Players: 1-2 (online: 1-24 broadband only)
Overall Rating: 9.1

Find information about it at Playstation or at the Official LucasArts site.
Have questions? Ask, and I'll try to answer them.

Nicktoons Unite! - PS2

This is an interesting game from THQ. Here, the Nicktoon characters of Jimmy Neutron, Timmy Turner, Danny Phantom, and Spongebob Squarepants have to team up to defeat the Evil Syndicate, which is made up of a villain from each show, Professor Calamitous, Denzel Crocker, Vlad Plasmus, and Sheldon Plankton respectedly.

The Syndicate is stealing power from each of their worlds, to power some dooms day machine.

Playability for my 6 year old is good. He is able to play without much help. If he could read, he'd probably need no help. (Darn that reading). Anyway, we've helped him some on figuring out what he needs to do, but he's been able to do it all himself.

We have found at least one bug with the game. He was locked in a room, defeated all the characters in the room, and couldn't get out. After quiting the game and starting back off from his last save point, once beating that rooms last enemy, the door opened.

When I asked him what he thought of the game, my boy said:

It's fun. You like beating up all the guys, even the masters, and learning what new powers I'll get. All the characters get special powers that are real cool.

Playable ages: 6+
Difficulty: Medium
ESRB Rating: Everyone (Cartoon Violence)
Players: 1-4
Overall Rating: 8.0

Find information about it at Playstation.