
Review · Fighting · Nintendo 64
Mace: The Dark Age
By the LumiKin editors
Reviewed: 29 May 2026
Nintendo 64
Midway Games · 1997
LumiScore
68/100
Good
Growth (BDS)
52
Risk (RIS)
1
Daily limit
120min
Age guidance
—
Developmental benefits
| B1 | Cognitive | 0.70 | |
| B2 | Social-emotional | 0.07 | |
| B3 | Motor | 0.75 | |
Mace: The Dark Age is a classic fighting game that hones cognitive skills such as strategic thinking, problem-solving, and reaction time through intense one-on-one combat. Players must quickly adapt to opponent strategies, memorize complex move sets, and execute precise actions, fostering significant hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Its competitive nature, especially in local multiplayer, can also provide a social outlet, albeit a competitive one.
Design risks
| R1 | Dopamine pressure | 0.00 | |
| R2 | Monetization | 0.00 | |
| R3 | Social risk | 0.06 | |
As a fighting game, Mace: The Dark Age features a moderate level of violence. While it lacks modern manipulative design mechanics like loot boxes or variable rewards, the competitive nature of the game could potentially lead to frustration. The game does not feature any significant social or monetization risks.
Heads up
- Monthly spendTypical real-money spend by engaged players: $0–0/mo.