Charming, smile-worthy adventure for young players.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
TV show</a> for kids that also has a toy line.</p>
">
Any Positive Content?
Violence & Scariness
very little
Levels include obstacles that need to be avoided, but aside from losing some energy, no penalties. The "gigantosaurus" from the title stalks through the first level, but he doesn't attack. He's just big, so the character has to run around him. Other creatures (big dinosaurs, piranhas, scorpions, bees, and carnivorous plants) will attack, but players can avoid them or use a tail whip in defense.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.
Based on a popular TV show for kids that also has a toy line.
Positive Messages
some
Game includes likable characters that are encouraging, as well as guidance to gently push players through the levels. Different abilities are needed to complete jobs, highlighting the need for teamwork and the idea that everyone has something unique to contribute.
Positive Role Models
some
Gameplay is big on allowing players to succeed. Each playable dinosaur has different abilities for different situations, and there's no gender stereotyping of who gets to do what. The dinosaurs cheer for each other all the time, even at the end of races. They're all about supporting one another and celebrating wins together.
Ease of Play
some
Gameplay does feature some minor puzzles and platforming elements, but the game tries to lead players in the right direction. There might be a bit of a challenge for some younger players, especially when it comes to jumping, which is less forgiving. The game offers many hints, but unless young players are familiar with video games or have an adult next to them, they might struggle to know what to do at each step. Accessibility features are limited, with minimal customization.
Diverse Representations
a little
Two of the four playable characters are female—Tiny the Triceratops and Mazu the Ankylosaurus—but you would only know this if you'd watched the show the game is based on, as none of the dinosaurs in the game talk, and their designs don't use gender stereotypes (e.g., making a girl dinosaur pink or giving her long eyelashes). Each character gets a unique ability that also doesn't play into gender stereotypes: Maku builds, Tiny knocks things over, Bill can disguise himself, and Rocky can climb. The game uses a single narrator, who is male.
Parents need to know that Gigantosaurus: The Gameis an adventure/racing game that's downloadable for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Windows PCs. The game is based on a cartoon and is geared toward younger players. There are some small puzzles and platforming challenges that can be difficult for some young gamers, but the emphasis is really on making progress through each level. Players will also face occasional hazards that they'll need to avoid, as well as attacks from other creatures. Fortunately, characters can use a tail whip to defend themselves. Apart from this, there's no content that may be inappropriate within the game.
My 5 year old was showing interest in games so we decided to see what was available on ps4 for kids his age. Online reviews said this game was “too easy” and very derivative of some older Mario games which was fine with me so we got it. It has 1-4 players so we were able to play with our 5 year old. He likes the puzzles and learning basic platforming skills, he loves the characters etc. I don’t think it’s too easy for a young child. Although most areas if you fall you can just keep trying again, he regularly needs to repeat things until he gets them right and is definitely learning some skills. Unfortunately he actually he finds the game stressful. There are only a few “bad guys” and no major consequences if you get hit/stung but he finds the bees/scorpions and the idea of “losing lives” terrifying. We’ve used it as a teaching moment about things that are pretend and just for fun, but after two levels he’s decided he wants a break because it’s too scary. I think in a year or two he would be fine with it. He’s not generally a super fearful child but controlling a character who is being attacked is too much for him.
This is for the Nintendo Switch version. Be aware that the Common Sense Media rating for Ease of Play does not address the poorly designed controls. One of the issues is that the controls are not very forgiving. Slightly off on a jump? Often your character falls back to the ground and you have to climb back. When you're ready to try a jump onto a platform and another character moves your view changes right when trying to make a jump successfully. Your view of the character is also poorly designed. It too often swings around and can cause you to fall, again. The poor controls and poorly designed view proved very frustrating for a 5-year-old and 7-year-old playing with one adult. I cannot recommend this game.
What’s It About?
There's a problem in the land of GIGANTOSAURUS: THE GAME, and it comes in the form of a giant meteor that's blocking Giganto's volcano. It falls to four small dinosaur friends (Rocky, Tiny, Mazu, and Bill) to avoid the obstacles, advance through the land by solving small puzzles along the way, and save the day. Of course, the world is prowled by the Tyrannosaurus rex, Giganto, but that big roaring character may actually help the mission. Featuring puzzle-driven (but directed) missions and some kart racing between map areas, Gigantosaurus is geared toward younger players. It allows up to four players to team up and solve the game together or to race against each other.
Geared toward the younger player, with a colorful and fun look based on the cartoon, this is a game parents can feel good about. Gigantosaurus: The Game has charming characters, a storyline that's easy to follow, bright and happy sounds, and easy missions that have players trekking through five settings collecting eggs (10 total scattered across a stage) and restoring them to nests before kart racing to the next area. Each of the dinosaurs has a different ability, so players may need to switch between the four to get through a level. For example, Tiny the Triceratops head-butts objects or opponents, while Mazu the Ankylosaurus can fix broken levers. While players can advance by collecting three eggs, it will take some work to collect all 10, and that's where the game gets its length.
Although this is very much a wash-rinse-repeat formula, it's meant for younger players and the emphasis is on succeeding. The platform elements are simple, and children should get the hang of it all quickly. The game scores on looks (not as bright as the cartoon, but still nice) and sound effects. There's even an easy mode for the youngest players. Where the game falters, although just a little bit, is in the repetitive nature and the lack of replayability. The kart racing element borrows heavily from other games like Mario Kart but provides a different element that players should find fun. It's not perfect, but Gigantosaurus: The Game provides children with a nice entry point to adventure games with platforming elements, helping them succeed as they build hand-eye coordination.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the dinosaurs in Gigantosaurus: The Game. Which dinosaurs were dangerous? Which dinosaurs are the four main characters (Rocky, Tiny, Mazu, and Bill) based on?
What did players like about the story? How did the story draw them in to the game and make it fun?
Which character did you most like playing as? How did you use teamwork to do different tasks? What special abilities do you have in real life that you could use to help others?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Michael Lafferty
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
