Is Princess Peach: Showtime! Appropriate for Kids?

Princess Peach: Showtime! is rated E10+ for Everyone 10+, with a Content Descriptor for Fantasy Violence.

According to the ESRB Rating Summary, Peach uses specific fighting skills (such as swinging a magical ribbon, sword or lasso, and timing kung-fu kicks), to defeat puppet-like characters in combat. Some villains can shoot cartoony lasers or blasters at Peach. Combat is highlighted by stealth elements and brief slow-motion effects.

Where Can I Play Princess Peach: Showtime! and How Much Does it Cost?

It’s available for the Nintendo Switch, and costs $59.99.

What is Princess Peach: Showtime! About?

The adventure begins as Princess Peach sets out to attend a show at the Sparkle Theater. But before long, the evil Grape (joined by her henchmen, the Sour Bunch) suddenly hijacks the show. Peach must work with the theater’s guardian, Stella, to battle the Sour Bunch with stage play-themed powers.

Princess Peach: Showtime! is rated E10+ for Everyone 10+.

To do so, Stella gives Peach a magical hair ribbon that allows Peach to gain new costumes, each with their own unique abilities. Peach then ventures around the massive complex in an effort to master these powers, take down the Sour Bunch, and return the various theaters and shows to grateful patrons.

How Does Princess Peach: Showtime! Play?

This is a colorful action platformer – meaning lots of jumping across platforms, avoiding hazards, and battling (or avoiding) bad guys. Princess Peach has an array of abilities that change based on her costume. She cuts a dash as she transforms into a ninja, a sword fighter, a lasso-swinging cowgirl, a martial arts expert, and more to take down cartoon enemies.

But battling isn’t always the answer! Princess Peach: Showtime! will also see Peach become a wily detective, using her special magnifying glass to solve mysteries and puzzles. After the theft of cakes from a sugar festival, Peach also turns into a magical pastry chef, baking and decorating sumptuous treats.

Part of the fun is that Peach’s surroundings all match her outfits, in true stage play fashion. The stage for Cowgirl Peach features a western-themed aesthetic as she lassos her way to victory. Meanwhile, Swordfighter Peach fences her way through an environment that screams of The Three Musketeers. The same goes for every costume so you can expect more surprises and secrets along the way.

Like many games in the Mario universe, players will have plenty to collect and explore as they progress through the game. You and your kids may find that the straight path is relatively simple most of the time, but there are always hidden secrets and collectables (like coins and Sparkle Gems) to find for those interested in challenging themselves. Of course, these are optional, and younger players or those learning the ropes of an action platformer may be perfectly happy to act their way through the main objectives.

Set Your Kids Up To Be The Stars Of The Show!

There are plenty of tools and ways to help you set reasonable limits on your kids’ video game experiences as they prepare to help Princess Peach save the day.

Of course, it’s always a good idea to check the ESRB-assigned rating information to make sure it’s appropriate for your children. If possible, we also recommend that you try the game out before giving your kids permission to play, or learn more about the game via online streams and videos.

Additionally, Nintendo Switch has parental controls that allow you to manage what your kids play (based on the ESRB-assigned rating information), when and for how long, with whom, and whether they can spend money on new games or in-game purchases. You can find step-by-step parental control guides at ParentalTools.org.

If you’re looking for more tips about video games and online safety, visit ESRB’s Family Gaming Guide.

Colin Campbell is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in The Economist, The Guardian, Polygon, IGN, Gamesindustry.biz and more.

The post What Parents Need to Know About Princess Peach: Showtime! appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

Is Princess Peach: Showtime! Appropriate for Kids?

Princess Peach: Showtime! is rated E10+ for Everyone 10+, with a Content Descriptor for Fantasy Violence.

According to the ESRB Rating Summary, Peach uses specific fighting skills (such as swinging a magical ribbon, sword or lasso, and timing kung-fu kicks), to defeat puppet-like characters in combat. Some villains can shoot cartoony lasers or blasters at Peach. Combat is highlighted by stealth elements and brief slow-motion effects.

Where Can I Play Princess Peach: Showtime! and How Much Does it Cost?

It’s available for the Nintendo Switch, and costs $59.99.

What is Princess Peach: Showtime! About?

The adventure begins as Princess Peach sets out to attend a show at the Sparkle Theater. But before long, the evil Grape (joined by her henchmen, the Sour Bunch) suddenly hijacks the show. Peach must work with the theater’s guardian, Stella, to battle the Sour Bunch with stage play-themed powers.

Princess Peach: Showtime! is rated E10+ for Everyone 10+.

To do so, Stella gives Peach a magical hair ribbon that allows Peach to gain new costumes, each with their own unique abilities. Peach then ventures around the massive complex in an effort to master these powers, take down the Sour Bunch, and return the various theaters and shows to grateful patrons.

How Does Princess Peach: Showtime! Play?

This is a colorful action platformer – meaning lots of jumping across platforms, avoiding hazards, and battling (or avoiding) bad guys. Princess Peach has an array of abilities that change based on her costume. She cuts a dash as she transforms into a ninja, a sword fighter, a lasso-swinging cowgirl, a martial arts expert, and more to take down cartoon enemies.

But battling isn’t always the answer! Princess Peach: Showtime! will also see Peach become a wily detective, using her special magnifying glass to solve mysteries and puzzles. After the theft of cakes from a sugar festival, Peach also turns into a magical pastry chef, baking and decorating sumptuous treats.

Part of the fun is that Peach’s surroundings all match her outfits, in true stage play fashion. The stage for Cowgirl Peach features a western-themed aesthetic as she lassos her way to victory. Meanwhile, Swordfighter Peach fences her way through an environment that screams of The Three Musketeers. The same goes for every costume so you can expect more surprises and secrets along the way.

Like many games in the Mario universe, players will have plenty to collect and explore as they progress through the game. You and your kids may find that the straight path is relatively simple most of the time, but there are always hidden secrets and collectables (like coins and Sparkle Gems) to find for those interested in challenging themselves. Of course, these are optional, and younger players or those learning the ropes of an action platformer may be perfectly happy to act their way through the main objectives.

Set Your Kids Up To Be The Stars Of The Show!

There are plenty of tools and ways to help you set reasonable limits on your kids’ video game experiences as they prepare to help Princess Peach save the day.

Of course, it’s always a good idea to check the ESRB-assigned rating information to make sure it’s appropriate for your children. If possible, we also recommend that you try the game out before giving your kids permission to play, or learn more about the game via online streams and videos.

Additionally, Nintendo Switch has parental controls that allow you to manage what your kids play (based on the ESRB-assigned rating information), when and for how long, with whom, and whether they can spend money on new games or in-game purchases. You can find step-by-step parental control guides at ParentalTools.org.

If you’re looking for more tips about video games and online safety, visit ESRB’s Family Gaming Guide.

Colin Campbell is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in The Economist, The Guardian, Polygon, IGN, Gamesindustry.biz and more.

The post What Parents Need to Know About Princess Peach: Showtime! appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

So, what’s new in this iteration of the long-running series? We’re here to tell you everything you need to know to decide if it’s appropriate for your family.

Is Super Mario Bros. Wonder Appropriate for Your Kids?

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is rated E for Everyone, with Content Descriptors for Mild Fantasy Violence and an Interactive Element for In-Game Purchases. This is a platforming game in which players control characters from the Mario universe as they try to stop the villain Bowser. Players traverse whimsical environments while jumping on enemies’ heads, throwing shells, and tossing small fireballs to knock them off-screen. Boss battles contain more involved combat against giant enemies that breathe fire and smash parts of the scenery.

As is the case with most Mario games, the content is cartoony and colorful, making it generally suitable for all ages.

Where Can You Play Super Mario Bros. Wonder and How Much Is It?

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is available for the Nintendo Switch and costs $59.99 both physically and digitally.

As mentioned, Super Mario Bros. Wonder also includes an Interactive Element for In-Game Purchases. This means that the game may include offers to purchase additional content.

What is Super Mario Bros. Wonder About?

Mario and his band of best friends are helping Prince Florian regain the pretty and magical Flower Kingdom from the Bowser’s nefarious influence. Players select a character to play from a roster of much-loved characters including Daisy, Luigi, Peach, and Toad. It’s the first traditional 2D Mario platforming game from Nintendo in more than a decade.

How Does Super Mario Bros. Wonder Play?

If you’ve ever played a classic 2D Mario side-scrolling adventure like Super Mario Bros. then you’ll know what to expect. Players steer Mario and his friends through several colorful, increasingly challenging worlds of platforms, obstacles, power-ups. As you jump, stop, and “wah-hoo” your way through levels, you and your family will battle cartoonish enemies, including familiar foes like Goombas and new baddies like Maw-Maws – funny, walking mouths that eat anything in their path.

In this iteration, cute talking flowers help the player by giving tips, and cracking jokes. Special Wonder Flowers trigger strange changes to the world, like transforming static pipes into wriggly, worm-like forms that the player can ride, or temporarily suspending gravity, allowing Mario and the gang to jump higher. It all adds to the magical charm of the world, as well as the more unexpected puzzle-like aspects of the gameplay.

Collectible power-ups and badges also return, giving your character special abilities. In addition to mainstays like mushrooms and fire flowers, Mario and some other characters can turn themselves into elephants, making use of extra size and strength as well as a useful trunk that can swat away enemies and spray water.

Players can also turn themselves into bubble-blowing bosses, capturing enemies at a distance, or using the bubbles as temporary platforms to access hard-to-reach areas. There are sure to be other power-up surprises throughout the game, too.

Can I Play With Other People?

Super Mario Bros. Wonder can be enjoyed as a single-player game or together with up to four players on the same Nintendo Switch, making the game fun for the whole family to play together.

While Super Mario Bros. Wonder does include some online features, it is not traditional co-operative play. Instead, players will be able to see which levels their friends have beaten and enter races to see if they can complete the level faster. Players can also leave “standees” (which look like little wooden cutouts of characters) in levels. Should their friend be playing the same level on their own Nintendo Switch, they will see that standee from your family and receive a bonus from it!

Younger children can play as Yoshi or Nabbit, who don’t take damage, making it easier to complete levels and explore the world and overcome some of the more challenging platforming sections. If a player loses a life, another player can save them and bring them back into the game, adding another layer of accessibility for younger players or players that are still learning.

Managing Your Kids’ Games

Modern game consoles, including Nintendo Switch, feature a variety of parental controls that allow you to manage which games your kids can play, when and for how long, whether they can share content with other online, and whether they can spend money on new games or in-game purchases. You can find step-by-step guides on how to set parental controls at ParentalTools.org.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder can be enjoyed as a single-player game or together with up to four players

Additional Tips for Parents

While parental controls offer parents many great choices, there are always more steps you can take to ensure that your kids have appropriate video game experiences.

We always say that the best first step is to call a family meeting and establish some household rules around video game play. By discussing video game play in your home, while acknowledging the positives, you’re setting a precedent for an open-ended, judgment-free conversation about video games.

You’re also letting your kids know that, while you respect their love of playing games, there are parameters that the whole family needs to respect (including you!). Just remember to back up your household rules with parental controls if/when you need to!

It is always a good idea to check the ESRB ratings pages for the games your kids play, and to do your own research, by viewing game trailers and independent game reviews.

Visit ESRB’s Family Gaming Guide for more information on household rules, parental controls, online safety tips, and more.

Colin Campbell is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in The Economist, The Guardian, Polygon, IGN, Gamesindustry.biz and more.

The post What Parents Need to Know About Super Mario Bros. Wonder appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

So, how much fun is SUPER NINTENDO WORLD  ? What is the price of admission? And is it appropriate for your Nintendo-loving family? Let’s look at the attractions and find out what SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is all about.

Hang Out with Your Favorite Nintendo Friends

The first thing you’ll notice about SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is that it looks and feels like walking around inside a giant Mario game. Bright colors abound, as well as famous Mario imagery like giant green pipes, moving platforms, and funny animatronics.

Lovable characters like Princess Peach, Luigi and, of course, Mario himself wander around the park, and make special timed appearances. You can take your photo with your favorite characters and talk to them as they share signature moves and catch-phrases (“let’s-a-go!”).

Power-Up Bands, Games, and Activities

No Nintendo experience is complete without the element of play, and SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is designed to keep adults and children busy with plenty of games and challenges. In fact, you could say that the park itself is like one big Super Mario level.

Universal Studios Hollywood

One extra that you’ll want to consider for every member of your group is a Power-Up Band. They come in various themes and colors based on Nintendo characters and fit onto your wrist. Each comes with its own QR code which connects to the Universal Studios mobile app, and allows you to play a meta-game, collecting virtual coins from around the park.

When wearing the Power-Up Band, you can tap your wrist against Question Blocks to rack up coins, just like in the Mario video games while hearing the familiar ping-ping noises. Other fun activities in the app include tapping secret buttons that project Mario images and exploring a castle area featuring classic Mario enemies like Piranha Plants and Goombas as well as power-ups like Koopa (Turtle) Shells. You can use your Power-Up Band to interact with mini-games, timing your ‘jumps’ to move characters from one level to the next. Other “challenges” – like the ones featured below – also reward stars to your app.

The Power-Up Band adds up to a fun way to compete with family and friends to see who can gather the most coins. Each Power-Up Band costs $40, on top of the entrance fee, and you can take them home as cool collectibles.

Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge

A giant statue of Bowser greets anyone willing to line-up to play Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, which is the main ride at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD .

Universal Studios Hollywood

Following a quick tutorial, each player enters their four-person car and puts on a Mario headband with an augmented reality face screen. The ride then drives and skids players through a variety of levels, loosely based on Mario Kart 8 (Everyone), including Rainbow Road and Piranha Plant Slide. Players move their heads to complete steering prompts and to control virtual Koopa Shells that they fire at the opposing team.

Lines can be long for Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge (2 hours is not unusual at peak times) but there’s plenty to look at along the way. Think of it as a journey through Bowser’s factory, with a fun, physical and fast-action game/ride at the end.

Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown

Every theme park has a haunted house, and SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is no different. Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown is a slightly spooky – certainly not scary – indoor area featuring fun games and activities.

It’s worth noting that access to this part of the park requires that you complete three Key Challenges throughout the park. This takes the form of a scavenger hunt of sorts, where you and your family will collect three keys with your Power-Up Bands for the opportunity to recover the stolen golden mushroom and deliver it to princess Peach.

Lines can be long for Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge (2 hours is not unusual at peak times) but there’s plenty to look at along the way.

That adventure will unlock a climactic boss battle with Bowser Jr.: A physical activity game, in which ten players each stand next to one another, inside their own mini-booth. Their shadows are projected onto huge screens.

You have to jump, wave your arms, fake-throw and crouch down to collect on-screen items or avoid enemy attacks. The lines can be daunting (sometimes an hour or more at busy times) but it’s a fun game that all the family can play together.

Mario Merchandise

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD’s merchandise shop is called The 1-UP Factory, and it’s a goldmine of exclusive goodies, including t-shirts, and toys; hoodies, hats, headbands; pins, plushies and pajamas. Prices are in-line with what you would expect from theme park merchandise, with t-shirts in the $25-$35 range, and hoodies around $60.

Dine at The Toadstool Cafe

Universal Studios Hollywood

The Toadstool Cafe is a family friendly restaurant where Chef Toad has concocted colorful dishes and treats like Bowser’s Fireball Challenge – a one pound meatball “topped with mozzarella cheese served with mushroom marinara sauce, Bowser puff pastry, parsley, and hot sauce on the side” ($29.99).

Other items on the menu include Piranha Plant Caprese ($12.99), Mario Burger ($16.99) and a bright pink and very sparkly Princess Peach Cupcake ($9.99).

The food is designed to entertain and amuse – diners love to share photos of their crazy themed meals. Décor is very Nintendo, with lots of screens showing Mushroom Kingdom scenes to keep the kids (and probably you!) happy.

Is SUPER NINTENDO WORLD a Good Fit for You and Your Family?

If your family loves theme parks and Nintendo, and is visiting Universal Studios Hollywood, then you’re likely to get a good day’s worth of fun and happy memories out of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD. There are tons of things to do, and the place is heaving with Nintendo charm. It’s worth noting that some of the games and attractions require some physical effort – so that’s something to keep in mind as you plan your day.

The ticket price is included in the price of entrance to Universal Studios Hollywood, which starts at around $109 per person online for a 1-day general admission ticket. SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is a relatively small area, so you might need to virtually book a timed entry (via the app) once you’re in the main park. If you’d prefer, there’s also an option to get a ticket upgrade for $20 per head for an early access pass to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD . Note that ticket prices do occasionally change depending on the time of year, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on it. The $40 cost of each Power-Up Band  is optional, but they do add a layer of gamification to the experience that many kids may find delightful. And remember – you can use the same Power-Up Band for your next visit!

All-in-all, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is like stepping into World 1-1 with your family and enjoying some classic Nintendo play.

Colin Campbell is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in The Economist, The Guardian, Polygon, IGN, Gamesindustry.biz and more.

The post What Parents Need to Know About SUPER NINTENDO WORLD ™ appeared first on ESRB Ratings.