FREE MAGAZINE FOR CUSTOMERS OF PARENTS GUIDE TO VIDEO GAMES VIDEO GAMES 101 EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW VIRTUAL REALITY THE FUTURE OF VIDEO GAMES? FIND THE TOYS-TO-LIFE BEST GAMES GAMES THE LATEST FROM SKYLANDERS FOR YOUR FAMILY AND LEGO DIMENSIONS OVER 100 GAMES REVIEWED INSIDE welcome PARENTS GUIDE TO VIDEOGAMES PUBLISHER / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Steve B. Harris EDITORIAL EDITOR Marc Camron ASSOCIATE EDITORS Mollie L Patterson Ray Carsillo Josh Harmon Victoria A.F. Camron FROM THE PUBLISHER CONTRIBUTORS THIS YEAR, GIVE THE PERFECT Matt Cabral GIFT TO YOUR FAVORITE GAMER David Jagneaux o you find video games lesson on the hobby and so you have ART DIRECTION confusing? Are names of the what you need to make informed Michael Hobbs Ddifferent consoles and genres choices — even if you don’t know Michael Stassus foreign lingo to you? Today’s games where to start. present a challenge. Even if you grew You’ll see on page 8 how the ESRB, EGM MEDIA, LLC up playing the NES, maybe you hav- the independent ratings board for 8840 Wilshire Blvd. en’t picked up a controller in a while. video games, decides what games are Third Floor Walking through the game aisle can appropriate for which age groups On Beverly Hills, CA 90211 feel like entering a foreign land filled page 12, we explain the latest gear, www.egmmediagroup.com with otherworldly machines. then detail which systems are now In the United States, more than 150 available. million people play video games and Don’t miss our feature story on PRESIDENT Steve Harris their average age has climbed to 31. PlayStation VR, for those who want in ASST TO THE PRESIDENT Angela Adams Additionally, 48 percent of those who on the hottest new gaming trend. CIRCULATION CONSULTANT Ron Sklon play video games are now women. We also look at what’s new with LEGAL Bob Wyman These statistics mean there’s a good LEGO Dimensions and Skylanders, the ACCOUNTING Oz Abregov chance you’ll be looking for hardware, extremely popular toys-to-life games. games or accessories to give your Finally, the game directory, SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES loved ones during the approaching organized by those ESRB ratings for [email protected] holiday season. But with so many your convenience, starts on page 32. consoles, accessories and games to You’ll find all the information you need ADVERTISING choose from, you might need a little before you hit your local Walmart to help deciding on the perfect gift. choose the games for your friends ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Jeff Eisenberg So we are pleased to present our and family. ADVERTISING MANAGER Elizabeth Scott fifth annual Parents Guide to Video With the fruits of our research in Games. We hope to simplify the this guide, you can concentrate on FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES process of choosing the right product filling your cart. For everyone on your 800-875-6298, ext. 120 for the gamer in your life. You’ll find a holiday list, you can be sure you are [email protected] primer to gaming to give you a quick choosing the right gifts for them! © Copyright 2015, EGM Media, LLC, all rights reserved. Walmart Parents Guide To Videogames (ISSN 2324-965X) is published annually by EGM Media, LLC, 29800 Agoura Road, Suite 103, Agoura Hills, CA 91301. The editors and the publisher are not responsible for unsolicited materials. Without limiting the rights under copyrights reserved herein, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written notice of EGM Media, LLC. 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For permission to reuse material from our publications please contact EGM Media, LLC’s Rights and Permissions Manager at [email protected]. 04 WALMART PARENTS GUIDE TO VIDEO GAMES PARENTS GUIDE TO VIDEO GAMES LEGO DIMENSIONS contents 04 WELCOME 30 PLAYSTATION VR UNDERSTANDING 08 32 GAME DIRECTORY ESRB RATINGS FOR 6 YEARS OLD AND UP 12 VIDEO GAMES 101 36 GAME DIRECTORY EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR 10 YEARS OLD AND UP 26 LEGO DIMENSIONS 40 GAME DIRECTORY FOR 13 YEARS OLD AND UP 28 SKYLANDERS IMAGINATORS 46 GAME DIRECTORY FOR 17 YEARS OLD AND UP 06 WALMART PARENTS GUIDE TO VIDEO GAMES understanding esrb ratings WHAT ARE ESRB RATINGS? The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is a non- profit, self-regulatory body that assigns age and content ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS: ratings for video games and mobile apps so parents can SIMULATED GAMBLING: make informed choices as to which are suitable for their ALCOHOL REFERENCE: INTENSE VIOLENCE: Graphic and realis- Player can gamble children and family. As part of its self-regulatory role for Reference to and/or tic-looking depictions without betting or the video game industry, the ESRB also enforces industry- images of alcoholic of physical conflict. wagering real cash adopted advertising guidelines and helps ensure responsible beverages May involve extreme or currency online privacy practices among members of its ESRB and/or realistic blood, Privacy Certified program. The ESRB was established in ANIMATED BLOOD: gore, weapons and 1994 by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). Discolored and/or STRONG LANGUAGE: unrealistic depictions depictions of human Explicit and/or fre- of blood injury and death quent use of profanity EARLY CHILDHOOD Content is intended for young children. BLOOD: LANGUAGE: STRONG LYRICS: Depictions of blood Mild to moderate use Explicit and/or of profanity frequent references BLOOD AND GORE: to profanity, sex, Depictions of blood LYRICS: violence, alcohol or EVERYONE or the mutilation of Mild references to drug use in music Content is generally suitable for all ages. body parts profanity, sexuality, May contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, alcohol or STRONG SEXUAL violence and/or infrequent use of CARTOON drug use in music CONTENT: mild language. VIOLENCE: Explicit and/or Violent actions MATURE frequent depictions involving cartoon- HUMOR: of sexual behavior, EVERYONE 10+ like situations and Depictions or possibly including Content is generally suitable for ages 10 and characters. May dialogue involving nudity up. May contain more cartoon, fantasy or include violence “adult” humor, includ- mild violence, mild language and/or minimal where a character is ing sexual references SUGGESTIVE THEMES: suggestive themes. unharmed after it has Mild provocative been inflicted NUDITY: references or materials Graphic or prolonged TEEN COMIC MISCHIEF: depictions of nudity TOBACCO REFERENCE: Content is generally suitable for ages 13 Depictions or Reference to and/or and up. May contain violence, suggestive dialogue involving PARTIAL NUDITY: images of tobacco themes, crude humor, minimal blood, slapstick or Brief and/or mild products simulated gambling and/or infrequent use of suggestive humor depictions of nudity strong language. USE OF ALCOHOL: CRUDE HUMOR: REAL GAMBLING: The consumption of alcoholic beverages MATURE Depictions or Player can gamble, Content is generally suitable for ages 17 dialogue involving including betting or and up. May contain intense violence, vulgar antics, wagering real cash or USE OF DRUGS: blood and gore, sexual content and/or including “bathroom” currency The consumption or strong language. humor use of illegal drugs SEXUAL CONTENT: DRUG REFERENCE: Non-explicit depic- USE OF TOBACCO: ADULTS ONLY Reference to and/ tions of sexual behav- The consumption of Content suitable only for adults ages 18 and or images of illegal ior, possibly including tobacco products up. May include prolonged scenes of intense drugs partial nudity violence, graphic sexual content and/or VIOLENCE: gambling with real currency. FANTASY VIOLENCE: SEXUAL THEMES: Scenes involving Violent actions of References to sex or aggressive conflict. a fantasy nature, sexuality May contain blood- RATING PENDING involving human or less dismemberment Not yet assigned a final ESRB rating. Appears non-human char- SEXUAL VIOLENCE: only in advertising, marketing and promotional acters in situations Depictions of rape or VIOLENT REFERENCES: materials related to a game that is expected to easily distinguishable other violent sexual References to violent carry an ESRB rating, and should be replaced from real life acts acts by a game’s rating once it has been assigned. Visit for more information The ESRB rating icons are registered trademarks of the WWW.ESRB.ORG Entertainment Software Association. 08 WALMART PARENTS GUIDE TO VIDEO GAMES feature story video games: Everything you always wanted to know about video games hile it may be second nature for even the youngest of gaming enthusiasts, navigating the waters of interactive entertainment is a daunting task for many parents. Even the sharpest shoppers can be overwhelmed when they are looking for those spe- cial gifts. With everything on your children’s wish lists — and all the terms that sound as if are from a foreign language — finding the right game or add-on can be a challenge. We’ve put together a crash course on all things gaming to help you navigate these pixelated problems and make the right choices for your family! Across the following pages you’ll find everything you need to know to pick games and gear like a pro, including profiles of all the systems (including the new ones), key accessories and much more. With a little luck, you might even teach your kids a thing or two! 12 WALMART PARENTS GUIDE TO VIDEO GAMES vi eo games: d CONTROLLERS AND THIRD-PARTY CONTROLLERS For families who like gaming together, the major console manufacturers all provide official controllers that make it possible for multiple people to play at the same time.