Sonic Dash - SEGA

This review of Sonic Dash was completed by the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) on 27 February 2014.

About the app

This section contains details about the app provided by an ACCM Reviewer.

ACCM review

This review of Sonic Dash contains the following information:

• The level to which the game was reviewed
• App description
• Reviewers comments
• In App purchasing
• Online information
• Gambling
• Advertising and product placement
• Gender stereotypes and sexual references
• Coarse language
• Game playing behaviour which may be of concern to some parents
• Other

The level to which the game was reviewed

Not applicable

App description

This is an endless runner style game, where the player runs along tracks, dodging obstacles, collecting rings and other objects.

Reviewers comments

Players start as the default character Sonic the Hedgehog. There are other characters which can be unlocked. The player uses their finger on the screen to guide their character. The player must avoid obstacles, collecting rings and other items along the way. The further they run, the more points they get. If the player crashes, they can be revived to continue their run if they use a revive token, if they have any, or watch a video ad. After being revived, the player picks up running at the same spot and continues. If the player does not revive, their score is calculated and they begin again (they may have to watch an ad first). Players can unlock, win or buy various powerups which will assist them. Rings can be used to buy upgrades, characters, wallpapers and powerups. Premium currency of red star rings, are more difficult to earn, and can be purchased.

The game issues missions and challenges to earn extra rewards.

In App purchasing

The game suggests that players buy some rings to get power ups. Rings, red star rings and bundles can be bought for $0.99 to $51.99.  Players can also make a purchase to remove ads.

Online information

Players can log in to Facebook to play with friends, which will earn extra rings. When the player logs in to Facebook, the app collects the player’s public profile and friend list. Players can view a leaderboard of High Scores, which shows their first name, profile picture and rank against their friends.

Gambling

When players choose the riskier tracks with more hazards to run on, they earn more rings – in effect, accepting greater “danger” for bigger potential rewards. Players are offered a Daily Spin on a wheel containing useful prizes like powerups and rings. They can use red star rings to get more spins.

Advertising and product placement

Ads regularly pop up for other apps. Ads presented included a fantasy warrior game. To gain “free” rings or to revive, the player can watch a video, which is an ad for another app.

Gender stereotypes and sexual references

N/A.

Coarse language

N/A.

Game playing behaviour which may be of concern to some parents

Choosing riskier tracks to run on wins more rings.

Other

Violence and scary material:
Players may crash into objects or fall off cliffs, but there are no real consequences and the player can start again.

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