We're looking for new writers to join us!

Think of the Children for March 6th

Think of the Children for March 6th

Written by Dan Keener on 3/6/2008 for DS   PC   PS2   PS3   PSP   Wii   360  
More On: Think of the Children
On again, off again. I feel like the ESRB has a switch that they keep playing with each week. Last week was one of the lowest outputs ever, yet this week was one of the highest. In fact, it took them an extra three days to post it to their website. Granted, the list is full of slugs for the DS and PC, but that is what we have come to expect. The Xbox 360 is still getting more XBLA titles rated, and is still carrying the flag for the next-gen system. Also, check out my weekly title of shame below, as it violates not one, but two of the basic codes for making a game.

PC and Nintendo came back in a big way, with 35 combined titles this week. Of course most are crap, rehashes or completely unnecessary, but that is beside the point. However, a few goodies lurked on the list, with Assassin's Creed Altair's Chronicles (DS), Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory (PC) and Rondo of Swords (DS) all now rated.

The Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 had a combined seven titles this week, with the 360 having six rated and the PS3 only three. The 360 saw LOST: Via Domus, Battlezone, Warlords, Lost Cities, Hail to the Chimp and UEFA Euro 2008. The PS3 had UEFA Euro 2008 and Hot Shot’s Golf; Out of Bounds. So it appears that the XBLA titles continue to push the 360 past the PS3. One thing I am checking into is whether or not PSN titles are getting put back through the ESRB for re-rating. We have seen several PSN titles pop up on the service that are not listed in the ESRB database. While the process is voluntary, it seems as if Sony may be cutting some corners and re-using the initial rating for the titles, even though it was on a different platform.

Probably the biggest buzz this week is for the hotly anticipated Wii Fit, although people will probably put it down after the excitement wears off. A couple of surprise XBLA titles showed, with Warlords and Battlezone coming soon complete with original and updated versions. It was also nice to see Hot Shots Golf on the PS3 make its way through ratings. This series is one of my favorites on the PSP, and can only enhance the PS3 gameplay experience. I also see that Assassin's Creed Altair's Chronicles has come to the DS, providing another route for a top franchise to reach more players.

I love it when there are lots of rated games, as my weekly title of shame gets so many worthy candidates aching to have the honor bestowed. This week, we have a trio of sludge to choose from, but one clear-cut winner. Are three candidates are Let’s Yoga (DS), Soul Bubbles (DS) and M&M’s Kart Racing (DS). Notice that the platform of choice is the Nintendo DS. Still lending credence to my contention that publishers are just throwing whatever junk they can out there for consumers. As for the three choices, I ruled out Let’s Yoga despite being another of those stupid “motivational” based titles and Soul Bubbles, because it could actually entertain someone. It left us with M&M’s Kart Racing, yet another shameless corporate tie-in and Mario-Kart rip-off. There is nothing like violating two of the basic codes of game making, creating a double faux pas and earning this award. I’m guessing that when M&M’s Kart Racing (What, was Yaris not available?) hits reviewers, we may find some harshness flying from the keyboards.

Title Publisher Rating Platforms
Anno 1701: Dawn of Discovery Ubisoft Entertainment E DS
Assassin's Creed Altair's Chronicles Ubisoft Entertainment T DS
Docomodake Ignition Entertainment E DS
DoReMi Fantasy: Milon’s DokiDoki Adventure Hudson Entertainment Inc E Wii
Family Game Time eGames Inc. E PC
Golf Solitaire Electronic Arts E Web Browser
Hidden Relics eGames Inc. E PC
Journey to the Center of the Earth THQ E DS
Let's Yoga Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. E DS
LOST: Via Domus Ubisoft Entertainment T PC, 360, PS3
Pirateville 21 Rocks, LLC E10+ PC
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Darkness Nintendo E DS
Powerboat GT DreamCatcher E PC
Secrets of Great Art Brighter Minds Media E PC
Silent Hunter: Wolves of the Pacific U-Boat Missions Ubisoft Entertainment T PC
Soul Bubbles Eidos Inc E DS
Super Pitfall Activision E Wii
The Guild Gold Edition DreamCatcher T PC
Tri-Peaks 2: Quest for the Ruby Ring Electronic Arts E10+ PC
Wii Fit Nintendo E Wii
Warlords Atari, Inc. E 360
Battlezone Atari, Inc. E 360
Fatal Fury Battle Archives Vol. 2 SNK Playmore USA T PS2
Fever Frenzy Legacy Interactive E PC
M&M'S Kart Racing Destination Software, Inc. E DS
Opoona KOEI Corporation E10+ Wii
Wild Earth: African Safari Majesco Entertainment E Wii
Toy Shop Majesco Entertainment E DS
Space Invaders Extreme Square Enix, Inc E DS, PSP
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 FES Atlus USA, Inc. M PS2
Powershot Pinball Constructor Crave Entertainment Inc. E DS
Puzzle Master 1,000,000 eGames Inc. E PC
Sprint Cars 2: Showdown at Eldora ValuSoft E PS2
Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media Present The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian + DGamer Disney Interactive Studios E10+ DS
Pet Vet 3D Animal Hospital Down Under Viva-Media, LLC E PC
Jane's Hotel eGames Inc. E PC
Evolver Pre-Algebra Tabula Digita, Inc. E10+ Mac, PC
Billy the Wizard: Rocket Broomstick Racing Conspiracy Entertainment Corporation E Wii
Blokus World Tour United Developers E PC
Brainiversity Brighter Minds Media E PC
Battle of the Bands THQ T Wii
Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath Electronic Arts T Mac, PC
UEFA Euro 2008 Electronic Arts E 360, PS3
UEFA Euro 2008™ Electronic Arts E PS2
UEFA Euro 2008™ Electronic Arts E PSP
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory Encore, Inc., A Navarre Corp. Co. M PC
Ricochet Infinity United Developers E PC
Pokemon Snap Nintendo of America E Wii
Seven Kingdoms: Conquest DreamCatcher T PC
Rondo of Swords Atlus USA, Inc. E10+ DS
Spaceforce Captains DreamCatcher E10+ PC
Lost Cities Vivendi Games E 360
Lords of Thunder Hudson Entertainment Inc E Wii
Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds SCEA E PS3
Hail to the Chimp Wideload Games Inc. T 360, PS3
Mystery Case Files: Madame Fate Activision Value Publishing T PC
Mercs SEGA of America E10+ Wii

Here is the final tally on who, what and where everything was rated for the last week. There were 57 rated entries on 10 platforms. PC (22), DS (13), Wii (10) and Xbox 360 (6) had the most games rated. There were 45 of the 57 titles rated at E10+ or lower, 10 rated at T for Teen and two rated at M for Mature.

Got a comment on the rated games, put it in the section below. Until next week, make sure you know what your kids are playing……

* The product in this article was sent to us by the developer/company.


About Author

Like many gamers in their 40's, I developed my love of gaming from my Commodore 64 after we wore out our Intellivision. I spent countless hours wandering around the streets of Skara Brae, as my life was immersed in The Bard's Tale series on the C-64, D&D Titles and any/all Epyx titles (California Summer and Winter Games) and sports titles.  After taking the early 90's off from gaming (college years) minus the occasional Bill Walsh College Football on Sega, I was re-introduced to PC games in the mid 1990's with a couple of little games called DOOM II and Diablo. I went all-in with the last generation of consoles, getting an Xbox 360 on launch weekend as well as adding a PS3 and Wii in subsequent years.  I now am into the current-generation (latest?) of consoles with the WiiU and Xbox One.  Recently, I was able to get back into PC gaming and have enjoyed it very much, spending most of my time going solo or playing with my fellow GamingNexus staffers in controlled multiplayer action.

While my byline is on many reviews, articles and countless news stories, I have a passion for and spent the last several years at GamingNexus focusing on audio & video and accessories as they relate to gaming. Having over 20 years of Home Theater consulting and sales under my belt, it is quite enjoyable to spend some of my time viewing gaming through the A/V perspective. While I haven't yet made it to one of the major gaming conventions (PAX or E3), I have represented GamingNexus at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in nine of the last ten years.

Personally, I have been a staff member at GamingNexus since 2006 and am in my third tour of duty after taking off the last year and a half.


 

View Profile