 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
SpongeBob’s Skate and Surf Roadtrip
- Xbox 360, Nintendo DS
- Price: $29.99-$49.99
- Genre: Sports
Common Sense Media says
Simple Kinect-enabled boarding game is fun but forgettable.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that SpongeBob’s Surf & Skate Roadtrip is a sports game that features characters from the popular SpongeBob SquarePants television show. For the Xbox 360 version, it requires a Kinect sensor to play; and encourages a moderate amount of physical activity as players change position to maneuver their boards. There’s not much in the way of narrative or messages, and even less in the way of offensive content. The game can be played by two players head-to-head. Note, though, that playing the game will likely lead kids to want to watch the TV show.
What's it about?
SPONGEBOB’S SKATE & SURF ROADTRIP is a sports game that has kids navigating a variety of waterways and streets on surf and skate boards. In the Xbox 360 version, it uses Kinect so that kids move their bodies in front of the camera. Kids have to avoid obstacles while trying to collect coins and performing stunts in the air. There are several ways to play each course, ranging from simple timed races to point challenges. The better your performance, the more quickly you’ll fill your “Awesome” meter. In two player mode, players go up against each other, using Awesome meter powers such as speed boosts and "dizzy," which reverses the other player’s motion controls, flipping left with right.
Is it any good?
There’s no shortage of Kinect games that simulate skidding, sliding, and rolling down slopes, and this simple surf and skate game does little to distinguish itself from the competition. The bright graphics are pleasant, and the motion controls for steering and stunts are fine, though far from refined. However, a lack of significant narrative and heavily repetitive events make this SpongeBob adventure a bit of a snoozer. Kids do more or less the same thing from one event to the next, with their only meaningful objective being to improve upon their performance or beat their friends.
Unless your son or daughter is a SquarePants superfan, best wait for this one to hit the bargain bins.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about commercialism in games. Do you think games like this exist only to promote the shows, movies, and toys upon which they are based? Do you think featuring recognizable characters in otherwise generic games enhances them?
Families can also discuss keeping active outside of games. What sort of physical activities do you like to participate in? Does this game make you want to try skateboarding or surfing?
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| Topics: | sports and martial arts |
| Platforms: | Xbox 360, Nintendo DS |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Sports |
| Developer: | THQ |
| Release date: | November 8, 2011 |
| Price: | $29.99-$49.99 |
| ESRB rating: | E for (No Descriptors) |
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