I could make this review extremely straightforward and simple by writing five words: Just buy Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure.

That wouldn’t give you any details of the game, but trust me; you don’t need other information. You just need to get this for your kids because they’ll want it and hound you for it until it’s in your home. Okay, I’ll give more details, but you could stop reading here and click on the link and be done. Check your two favorite nephews off your shopping list with this purchase. Trust me.

When we got the Skylanders Starter Pack for review, we traveled out of town that weekend and my kids didn’t have the chance to play it. Thanks to the components of the game, I didn’t hear any complaining. Here’s the breakdown of what you get in your Starter Pack:

• Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure Software
• Portal of Power
• 3 Skylanders Figures
• 3 Trading Cards
• 1 Sticker sheet for all Three Characters
• 3 Skylanders Spyro’s Universe Codes (for online play)
• Collector’s Poster

As you can see listed above, each Skylanders Starter Pack contains three action figures. These figures contain computer chips in their base. When placed on the “Portal of Power” the figures come to life on the screen and explore their virtual world. The figures can be played with anywhere and are separate from the portal. My boys took the action figures on the trip with us and played with them on the long car ride. One of my sons even slept with them next to his bed in the hotel. They loved these guys and never turned on a console in the first days playing with them.

These action figures help me manage the technology in my house. I don’t have to be the Bad Guy with my infamous “Technology off!” shout upstairs on Saturday morning. My kids don’t mind turning off the game because they can take their action figures from the game outside to play. And they do. The game gets turned off, but the play continues beyond the gaming platform.

Sure, I don’t have to let my kids play video games at all, but I’m the mother of three boys and I’m raising them in the 21st century. If they aren’t playing video games at my own home, they will play them somewhere else. Which is another great thing about Skylanders: the action figures you use in the game can be played on any platform. Your child can take their figures over to a friend’s house and they take all their information with them. No memory cards are necessary and it doesn’t matter if the friend has a different gaming system than what you have in your home. The figures store all their information inside the chip in the base.

I told you: just buy it.

The game never takes itself too seriously, and I like that. In one area the players battle the Doom Sharks of Doom. That’s just goofy! The figures can earn points and buy different items to wear in the game. My husband loves his Spyro to wear a top hat as he goes around jumping from level to level. Yes, you read that correctly: my husband. He loves the game and plays with my boys. They all have their own sets of figures and have marked them so they won’t get confused about whose is whose.

The game is rated E10, and I let my six year old play it and watch it. There is no blood or heavy violence. Characters can shoot at things and throw things, but that is as violent as I’ve seen it get. Only two players can play at a time, so if you have several kids wanting to play, they need to take turns, but this hasn’t been a problem with my four players in my home.

Skylanders is on the 2011 Holidays Hot Toys list from Toys "R" Us and is the only video game on the list. The price point is a bit higher than some other video games, but each Starter Kit is packed with many items for your gaming experience. Of course, you’re going to want more of the figures, since each has their own strengths and personalities, but look on the bright side: now you know what to get for gifts for many holidays and occasions in the future!

Special Giveaway for Mom Central Readers
One lucky Mom Central reader will win a copy of Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure by Activision in the gaming platform of your choice: Wii, Xbox, or PlayStation.

Congratulations to our winner, Hiroe, and a big thanks to all who entered!

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When Eileen Calandro isn’t yelling other things at her children besides “Technology OFF!”, she is the Chief Mom Connector of Mom Central. You can read about other things she yells about on her personal blog at calandroclan.com and connect with her on twitter at @MomCentralChat and @calandro5.

Disclosure: Mom Central was given a copy of the Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure game to facilitate this review.

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