the legend of zelda (series)
READY OR NOT
|
MINIMUM AGE: 12+
WHAT IS IT? The Legend of Zelda is a long-running fantasy action-adventure series developed by Nintendo. Players typically control a heroic character named Link on a quest to rescue Princess Zelda and defeat evil forces threatening the kingdom of Hyrule. The series is known for its open-world exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat against fantasy creatures. Recent titles like Tears of the Kingdom (2023) have expanded the formula with building mechanics, nonlinear storytelling, and vast, explorable worlds. WHAT WE SAY: Treat with caution. ✅ POSITIVE THEMES
⚠️ KEY CONCERNS 🗡️ Fantasy Violence Combat includes sword fights, explosions, and magical attacks against monsters or humanoid enemies. There is no gore, but enemies vanish or disappear in light bursts when defeated. Boss battles can be intense, but not graphic. 👻 Scary or Dark Elements Some dungeons, enemies (like Redeads or Gloom Hands), and story moments may feel creepy or unsettling to younger or sensitive players. Themes of loss, ancient evil, or cursed beings may arise. 📢 Lack of Moderation & Age Verification The game is single-player with minimal online components, but Nintendo’s general ecosystem has limited age checks, especially for accessing the eShop or content sharing. 🧱 Mild Suggestive Content or Humour Occasional light innuendo, romantic implications, or strange character interactions appear in side quests or character dialogue (e.g., flirtatious characters, suggestive dancing). However, these are very mild and typically comedic in nature. 🗣️ Voice Chat Voice chat is not a feature in Zelda games. However, third-party apps like Discord may be used outside the game, especially by older players discussing strategies. 💬 Direct Messaging Not available within the Zelda game itself. 💸 In-Game Purchases There are no microtransactions, but some titles offer optional paid downloadable content (DLC), such as expansion passes. Amiibo toys unlock in-game bonuses, which may encourage extra spending. 🧠 Addiction & Mental Health Open-world exploration can lead to long play sessions. Players may become immersed in collecting items, completing quests, or exploring. The tone is generally uplifting, but some storylines may be emotionally complex for sensitive players. 🎮 Game Concerns Some missions or themes deal with apocalyptic worlds, death, or ancient curses. These are framed in fantasy terms, but parents should be aware of potential emotional impact. Certain enemies or dark zones (like The Depths in Tears of the Kingdom) can be frightening. |
🛡️SAFETY TIPS:
📲Understand the game Familiarise yourself with the games features and how they work. Knowing how the app works will help you guide your child effectively. 👨👧Parental supervision Nintendo’s parental controls let you set play time limits, restrict game access by age, block purchases, and disable communication features. 💸Limit In-App Purchases You can set spending limits or disable in-app purchases on your device to avoid accidental or excessive spending. 🚨Avoid Unofficial Downloads Stick to downloading the game from official sources to avoid malware, data breaches, or compromised versions. 📢Underage Accounts This game might have an age restriction but it lacks a proper age verification process. Therefore, there’s little stopping users from faking their dates of birth or creating bogus profiles and targeting children and young people. 👥Manage friend requests Teach your child only to accept friend requests from people they know in real life. 📷 Cover the Webcam When Not in Use Physically cover your camera when you're not ready to go live. Always be mindful of what’s visible in your background—it can reveal location clues. 🧠 Trust Your Instincts If something feels uncomfortable, it is uncomfortable. Leave the chat immediately and don’t engage with users who seem suspicious, aggressive, or inappropriate. 🖥️ Place Devices in Shared Spaces Keep internet-connected devices in living rooms or kitchens, not bedrooms. This makes risky behaviour less likely and easier to notice. 🙋♀️Conversations: Have open discussions with children and young people about the topics associated with online use - bullying, grooming, sexual and criminal exploitation, body image, as well as accessing support and how to report. 🚨 Know the Signs of Trouble Watch for behaviour changes—like anxiety, secrecy, mood swings, or suddenly deleting apps. These can signal something inappropriate happened online. FURTHER SUPPORT: For parents/ carers If you're worried about your child or need support call NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000. If you discover criminal content when online then report it directly to the police or the Internet Watch Foundation. If you're worried about online grooming or sexual behaviour online then report directly to the police or contact CEOP. For Children & young people if they're worried or want to talk, encourage them to contact Childline Online or call 0800 1111. Check out our Resource Centre for further information and useful online safety tips. 
|
