uDraw Pictionary: Ultimate Edition

Review

Common Sense Media says

Faithful adaptation of the board game classic.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that uDraw Pictionary: Ultimate Edition is a video game version of the popular board/parlor game that requires the use of the uDraw GameTablet. The game is designed to be enjoyed by families, offering different difficulty levels for players of all ages on the clues. Learning to draw on the uDraw isn't as easy as it is on paper, though, which could make it challenging for some players. And it's very easy for players to cheat, since all clues are shown on screen. (Other team members are asked to close their eyes.) 

  • Positive messages4
    The game encourages players to think creatively and work together to solve a puzzle. It also encourages families to play together, rather than using a game as a solo experience. 
  • Positive role models2
    The host overseeing the game is encouraging, telling players they can catch up and congratulating them on a good roll of the dice. 
  • Ease of play3
    Using the uDraw to create onscreen drawings is fairly easy (though takes some getting used to). The game also has different settings for adult and children, with appropriate difficulty levels -- and players who are still stumped at the outset can choose a new clue. The "Mania" mode ratchets up the difficulty, but that's strictly optional. 
  • Violence0
    Not applicable.
  • Sex0
    Not applicable.
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What's it about?

Like the board game, uDRAW PICTIONARY: ULTIMATE EDITION has one team member illustrate a clue while others try to guess it. Rather than drawing on paper or selecting from pre-set artwork, you instead draw your uDraw GameTablet peripheral. The game sticks to the board game rules, though it also offers two other modes -- Pictionary Mania for advanced players and Family Mode for more relaxed play. 

Is it any good?

 

uDraw Pictionary: Ultimate Edition is a faithful video game recreation of the classic game and creates a modern twist on family game night. While drawing with the uDraw tablet peripheral isn't as natural -- or as fast -- as drawing on paper, it adds a twist to the game that many players will enjoy. It's certainly better than using the controls on a typical game device -- even the Wii. 

The game offers several gameplay modes to cater to a wide audience and stays true to its family roots by offering different difficulty levels of clues for kids. Some of the wacky things that can happen in the harder Pictionary Mania mode include the lights going out as you draw, the drawing surface rotating, and you are given a limited to the amount of ink to use. The game's biggest failing, though unavoidable, is that clues appear on the TV screen. Some players might be tempted to sneak a peek while others have their eyes closed. And in a game whose fun lies in guessing and bad drawings, that could spoil some of the fun. If you and your family can resist that, though, this is one of the most family friendly titles on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. 

What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about how best to express themselves visually. If you're not allowed to draw a word, how do you describe it? 

  • Families can also talk about whether it's more fun to draw on paper or using a stylus, which lets you see your work on a TV screen. 

  • Would you rather play family games on your gaming console or around the kitchen table?

This review was written by Chris Morris

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This review was written by Chris Morris
Platforms:Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Available online?Not available online
Genre:Party
Developer:THQ
Release date:November 15, 2011
Price:$39.99
ESRB rating:E
This review was written by Chris Morris
 

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About our rating system
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.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

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