The National Institute on Media and the Family has just released the 2007 Video Game Report Card (pdf file), which rates the games industry on everything they're not going to listen to. It covers everything from how parents don't understand ESRB ratings to how kids are successfully purchasing M-rated games 50 percent of the time, but we were more interested in their lists of "games to avoid for your children and teens," as well as their recommended ones.
MediaWise 2007 list of games to avoid for children:
- Assassin’s Creed
- Call to Duty 4
- Conan
- The Darkness
- Jericho
- Kane & Lynch: Dead Men
- Manhunt 2
- Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles
- Stranglehold
- Time Shift
It's hard to argue with this list if your opposed to putting violent games in children's hands. They're all M-rated, and all involve killing. Titles like Manhunt 2 and The Darkness are shoe-ins for this type of list, but the Wii title Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles is a bit of a surprise. I know of some that would say that Kane & Lynch: Dead Men is appropriate for an "avoid" list for other reasons.
Hit the jump for more, including the MediaWise 2007 "recommended" list.
MediaWise 2007 list of recommended games for children:
- FIFA Soccer 08
- Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
- Hannah Montana: Spotlight World Tour
- Madden NFL 08
- Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games
- Need for Speed Pro Street
- The Sims 2: Castaway
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- Super Mario Galaxy
- Viva Pinta (the NIMH fudged the name)
I'm sure that all of these titles are "safe," but I can't recommend Hannah Montana: Spotlight World Tour to anyone, child or not. Titles like Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario Galaxy, and Viva Piñata are solid choices for anyone, child or not.
We give the National Institute on Media and the Family's 2007 Video Game Report Card a "B-." Of course, they'd give Destructoid an "F."
Contest:
12:29 PM on 12.05.2007
| 
EL OH EL
Meh, I guess its a good thing in a way. It helps parents understand that there are some games that they shouldnt buy for their kids, which is important.
EVERYON ALREDY OWNS GEARS...
------------------------------
The only ones I don't have on the Do Not Own :
Manhunt 2
RE : Umbrella Chronicles
( I don't own a Wii )
I have one on the ok list :
NFS : Pro Street
so i guess it's okay to kill aliens in cold blood, as long as you're defending the planet?
i guess the zapper is too realistic.
re:uc needs moar goron crotch btw.
and SMB3? Are we trying to gear kids towards a rare hunt game or Emulation? because out of randomness, i'm sure a kid who's reading that has a Wii to download from the VC.
Break Free my children, Break Free and play anything you want.
Also, boobies.
After bracing myself for a warcry and ye olde pitchforks from politicians and soccer-moms in the crowd, I opened my eyes again to see the gentleman taking reasonable questions from reasonable press. Whodathunkit?
The questions I heard were "What would you recommend to a parent who does not have experience with video games?" and "How does the current ratings system work?" The man fielding these questions responded NOT by attacking the gaming industry, but by stressing EDUCATION OF PARENTS IN PURCHASING TITLES!!!!
Bravo.
Kane & Lynch: Dead Men (because it sucks)
Viva Syphilis!
And hardly any of the ones they discouraged have anything gratuitous! In fact, COD4 contains one of the most vivid testimonies against violence available today. Not to mention, these are probably the same parents that endorse the people perpetrating violence overseas.
lol.