For more on Kinect National Geographic TV, check out our full Kinect National Geographic TV review. Or, for more of the best Xbox 360 games for a 4 year old, why not try our Family Game Finder
Kinect National Geographic Season Two is one of a series of games in Microsoft's "Two Way TV" series. Essentially a loosely interactive TV show, season two consists of eight 30-min episodes that follow Dr Brady Barr, as he attempts to find some of the deadliest, or otherwise most spectacular animals on the planet.
With a similar sort of feel to the "Deadly 60" show, the 30 minute episodes are rather well done, with Dr Barr making an informative and entertaining host that your child will be picking things up from without even realising it. Requiring both an internet connection (episodes must be streamed, and can't be downloaded) and Kinect, your child will be asked to interact with the show at various points by holding up either their right or left hand to decide between two options, whether they're answering a question about what they've just seen, or deciding where to go next. Other interactive aspects come in the form of the regular photography assignments, that tell you to shout "SNAP" when you see a certain thing - like a twisting salamander, or a close up of an alligator - and the regular Kinect minigames, that let you "become" one of the animals, as you catch fish in a river, or suck up tadpoles, make good use of Kinect.
Although it's likely aimed at children aged 7+, the game can be played by children who are younger, as there's nothing all that physically challenging about the game itself - providing your child's tall enough for Kinect to be able to recognise them. The main concerns for parents would really be whether the programs themselves are suitable, as some do contain blood and gore.
Although it's intended as an educational program, Kinect Nat Geo Season Two does contain some scenes that may not be suitable for younger players. In particular, in the very first episode, you see the aftermath of a deer that had been torn into shreds by an alligator (patches of fur and blood over the ground), and another animal that had been savaged, with a normal rear half, but with just bone left at the front, with no flesh or skin across its skull and ribs.
Age Ratings
Format Reviewed: Xbox 360
