Sesame Street: Once Upon A Monster

by Warner Bros

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B004OCK9KG
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches ; 0.8 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: October 11, 2011
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (92 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,406 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #2 in Video Games > Xbox 360 > Games > Word Games

Product Description

Amazon.com

Sesame Street: Once Upon A Monster is an Adventure game for young players that combines the hallmark educational themes of the Sesame Street universe with the fun and ease of play of the Microsoft Kinect Sensor.* An Xbox 360 exclusive, Sesame Street: Once Upon A Monster is an interactive storybook like no other as children join Elmo, Cookie Monster, Grover, Oscar the Grouch and other characters as they meet new monsters and help them overcome their problems. Game features include: multiple 'chapters' of play, familiar Sesame Street characters as well as friendly new monsters, drop-in/out 2-player co-op support and active gameplay featuring the controller-free Kinect Sensor.

A Living Storybook Full of Lessons for Children

Sesame Street: Once Upon A Monster is an Educational Adventure game in which young children learn lessons as as they accompany some of their favorite Sesame Street characters in a truly interactive storybook experience. Gameplay revolves around an in-game book called Once Upon a Monster that is found by Cookie Monster and Elmo. As the book is opened they along with players become functioning characters in its six chapter storyline. Here they encounter a variety of friendly muppet like monsters who need help with age-apropriate problems and scenarios. Some of the subjects touched upon include: cooperation, empathy, appreciation of similarities and differences in others, the value of exercise and preschool level skills. The game also features drop-in/out co-op gameplay support allowing additional kids or parents to join in the fun and/or come to the aid of a child who needs help, a variety of in-game activities and controller-free action using the Kinect Sensor for Xbox 360.*

A storybook Sesame Street adventure that utilizes the Kinect Sensor for Xbox 360.
View larger.

The Kinect Sensor for Xbox 360

The Kinect Sensor for Xbox 360 allows you can experience gaming like never before. Easy to use and fun for everyone, the Kinect Sensor utilizes revolutionary full-body tracking to put you in the center of the fun. This amazing technology allows the sensor to recognize your body and mirror your movements in the game, making you the controller. The sensor is compatible with every Xbox 360, features a color VGA motion camera (640 x 480 pixel resolution at 30 frames per second), a depth camera (640 x 480 pixel resolution at 30 frames per second) and an array of four microphones supporting single speaker voice recognition.

Key Game Features

• A Fun, Cooperative Play Experience - Every activity is designed to be fun played by oneself, but even more fun with a family member or friend. Drop in/out cooperative gameplay is ideal for parent-child or child-sibling co-play
• Living Storybook Adventure - The game is a guided exploration of a living storybook where players help their monster friends with problems, all while interacting with enchanting and whimsical environments around them
• New and Familiar Characters - Players can interact with their favorite Sesame Street characters as well as make new monster friends as they progress in their adventures
• Broad Range of Games - A variety of entertaining and intuitive activities enable young kids to play easily with natural controller-free motions using the Kinect Sensor for Xbox 360
• Active Gameplay - Players can engage in fun and physical activities such as monkey-see-monkey-do, playing instruments, flying, and running obstacle courses

Additional Screenshots

Diversity & other life lessons. View larger.

Play powered by the Kinect.* View larger.

Controller-free gameplay View larger.

Drop-in/out co-op support. View larger.

* Gameplay requires the Kinect Sensor for Xbox 360 sold separately

Product Description

Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster is an uplifting and funny, family adventure game playable on Kinect for Xbox 360. Players join favorite Sesame Street characters Elmo, Cookie Monster, Oscar, Grover and all new characters as they discover a long lost children’s book titled Once Upon a Monster. As they read, they join the action to become part of a living storybook adventure, helping new monster friends with their problems by exploring the book chapter by chapter, page by page. It features active co-op gameplay that is specially designed for sibling and/or parent-child co-play; and teaches social, emotional, and other important life lessons through its colorful and whimsical gameplay.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 63 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Game - Especially for Younger Kids October 18, 2011

By Ryan DeJonghe

Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

Every once in a while, a game comes along that transports you to a magical destination. These types of games are full of adventure, charm, and whimsical fun. Sometimes a game can lift the burden of every day life and let you be a kid again. Sometimes a game can let your kids be the decision maker. And sometimes there are games that blend both perfectly.

If you have small kids in the house and are looking for something fun and educational, then "Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster" may be the perfect thing for them. Once upon a monster is a kid-friendly Kinect game that brings to life the same show that has been watched by kids around the globe. All the favorite characters, and even some new ones, stop by and help teach some great life lessons.

The free demo is available on the Xbox marketplace and is a fairly good representation of what the game is about. Although there is a huge market for people seeking nostalgia, adults probably will not be playing this game solo. While there are some kid themed games on the Kinect that adults may enjoy, Once Upon a Monster really comes to life with a younger audience in the room. Playing side-by-side with a younger participant can yield great rewards. This is perhaps the best game on the Kinect where the parent can play with the child at the same time. This is perhaps also the best game on the Kienct where two siblings can be playing at the same time. Having a shuffling living room is no problem, because Once Upon a Monster follows whomever is playing without any hitch. Players can jump in and out as they please, at any point in the game.

There are six chapters in this living story, with the ability to add content through possible future downloadable expansions. There are a set number of activities in this game, but they don't become boring or repetitive thanks to the changing story. Some of the activities include: posing, dress up, flying, drumming, tossing, and much more. All of the activities are fairly simple, but those trickier tasks can be aided with the help of parents. Each activity page of the chapter is given a star rating and each activity can be played over to achieve up to a 5 stars.

As chapters are unlocked, they are then made accessible for returning at any time. This game doesn't have free play areas, like some other Kinect kids games, but again all the activities can be played as many times and whenever the player desires. The story seems like it takes about 6-8 hours to complete, with a little over an hour to go through each chapter.

There are some areas that may be a little frustrating for little ones, but all is made fixable by the incredibly easy partner assist and/or tag team approach to playing. The only problem with jumping in and out of the game so easily is earning achievements. The Kinect does a really good job of spotting who is playing and who is earning the achievements, but doesn't like to give them out for playing as a family affair. In other words, if you are sitting down when your kid earns an achievement, don't expect it to show up in your profile. You have to earn it yourself.

The graphics, sounds, and presentation are all totally on par with what you would expect from a Sesame Street show. This game really feels like the show, but made more interactive. I was hoping to see more of Double Fine's fingerprint here, but Sesame Street is clearly the main theme in this game. This is actually a great design choice, because it really encourages kids to play along. I was amazed at how active my kids were in each activity. They picked it up and were carried away to a whole different world. They were literally in Sesame Street's universe.

In reviewing games, I like to look for the five f's: fitness, fun, family, functionality, and firsts. This game is not billed as a fitness game, but will definitely get your kids moving (and you too). They will be jumping, flapping, dancing and more. There is definite fun to be had by kids who are of the Sesame Street watching age. The older fans of Sesame Street may have some fun, but nothing is like playing the game with or as a child. The game is very family friendly and has a lot of great life lessons to share. As for functionality, the game is technically great. There are a couple of places young kids could get hung up on, but nothing an able-bodied parent wouldn't be able to fix. And as for firsts, this is the first story themed game for Kinect and one of the first games to absolutely nail the in and out ability of different players.

In summary, if you have kids in the house of the Sesame Street watching age, this is a true gem to add to your Kinect collection. The game is easy to pick up and lots of fun to go through. While there aren't really any free play areas, each activity and story section can be played over. Once Upon a Monster may be a bit repetitive for the older crowd playing solo, but will bring a golden smile to anyone who plays with kids.

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Something Both Kids & Adults Can Enjoy October 12, 2011

By UziSpray

Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

At its simplest core, Once Upon A Monster is an incredibly well done collection of mini-games suited for children; however, this game has both the quality and whimsical tone that many adults will find heartwarming. In the same way Pixar films can be viewed and appreciated by everyone, I believe Once Upon A Monster is very much the same. Granted, it's still something that's more geared towards kids, but many will find Double Fine's work on this title admirable regardless of age. Hey, kids deserve quality games, as well as adults, and this game is a perfect buy for those out there with kids of their own, as it's a good time for any family.

There are a bunch of different mini-games in Once Upon A Monster, all with very intuitive and well done Kinect controls. Sadly, outside of the main dish, there's no other additional game modes, which makes the package a bit slim when it comes to content. However, while it's not packed with a ton of features, what's here is good and quality gameplay, nice graphics, and some enjoyable scenes with your favorite Sesame Street characters.

Once Upon A Monster is right up there with The Gunstringer as one of the best examples of what the Kinect can do if developers take their time and make something good.

4.5/5 - Docked a little because it's on the short side, but I do believe it's a very replayable game.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent November 4, 2011

By MadelynsMomma

Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

Absolutely love this game for my 3 year old daughter... she can do most activities on her own but when she needs help i can just go stand next to her and it turns into a two player team activity. Love the stories music and graphics too