Tools for this page
Print

Trivial Pursuit

(2009, Video Games - Party Games, Rated E, Play it on: PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Classic board game goes high-tech in a fun way.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    The trivia questions cover the areas of geography, history, arts & literature, science, nature, sports, and leisure.
  • Messages:

    This is a game that encourages friends and families to play together. It teaches you interesting trivia as you play.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    This is a game based on the Hasbro Trivial Pursuit board game
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Trivial Pursuit was written by Jinny Gudmundsen

Parents need to know that this is a video game based on the Hasbro board game of Trivial Pursuit. There is one minor reference to alcohol in terms of complimenting your success by popping bottles of champagne.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about why playing trivia games are so much fun. Do you think winning this game shows that you are smarter than others, or is it the luck of the draw in terms of what questions you get? Are you better in some knowledge areas than others? Why do you think that is?
Did this review help you decide?
Do you play it? Review It!

More on Trivial Pursuit

What’s the Story?

Fans of the classic Hasbro board game Trivial Pursuit can now enjoy a high-tech version on the Wii, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. TRIVIAL PURSUIT lets you play three different modes, including the classic mode where you answer questions covering the six categories of Geography, History, Arts & Literature, Science & Nature, and Sports & Leisure. The goal of the classic game is to fill up your circular game piece with six wedges earned from answering questions in each of the six categories. As you move around the spoke-shaped board, landing on special Wedge HQ spaces allows you to earn wedges; and when you have all six, you can move back to the middle of the board to answer one last question to win the game.

In addition to the classic game, the game offers a solo mode called "Clear the Board," a game where as you land on squares and answer questions correctly, you clear that space off of the board. The other variation, called "Facts and Friends," is filled with quirky extras, like a Wedge Challenge, where you can challenges another to a competition where answering correctly lets you steal the other player's wedge. There is also a way to earn points by betting whether your opponents will answer a question correctly.

Close

Is It Any Good?

This high-tech way of playing Trivial Pursuit is good, and in most ways, better than playing the board game. The classic game is easy to play, and nicely presented so you never have to count out spaces. The addition of the two variations is a real winner because they are both fun and novel. The visual presentation throughout is crisp and exciting, particularly when the game pieces float and hover around as if they are alive. And this version uses interactive multimedia to make the presentation of the questions varied and interesting. You will see question using photos, sliders, and interactive maps. Another cool thing is the way the game keeps track of each player's stats and displays them on a ticker tape at the bottom of the game.

There is one way that the board game beats the video game version. And that is in letting kids have an easier set of questions than adults. The best way to deal with knowledge inequity in the video game is to play the "Facts & Friends" Mode which throws in all sorts of unpredictable results, so the better player doesn't necessarily win. Also, the size of the lettering used on the questions could have been larger.

Close

Publisher’s Details

Released on 3/10/2009, price $39.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E (for Alcohol Reference, Comic Mischief)

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Do you play it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Trivial Pursuit?
  •  I think this game is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Age-apropriate 3-D food adventure doesn't fully satisfy.

  • Issue Spotlight

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Set limits long before they get behind the wheel.

  • Must See TV

    Dancing with the Stars

    Dancing with the Stars

    High-kicking series has cross-generational appeal.

  • Member Buzz

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Is it easier for parents to communicate with their kids via text?

  • Game of the Week

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Fun movie-based action game has constant but mild violence.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy