Christmas-time is here... which means "Santa Claus" will spend countless hours researching what games are okay for children and clock even more hours hunting the games down on eBay. But fear not... the articles provided below will definitely help cut down shopping time, so "Santa" can get some well-deserved rest. The articles list family-friendly, quality videogames for each major system.
Videogaming is a fun hobby. Let's share it ^_^
I want friendly, family games for...
*All of these articles are living documents and very subject to change. Check back for updates :D
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Wii Holiday Games
Usually, the better question about the Wii is what games aren't family-friendly? Here's a short list of good Wii games to keep an eye out for this holiday. This list will definitely be fleshed out later, so come on back for more info.
The plus signs next to game titles will lead you to the game's Gamerankings.com site, which contains links to loads of reviews.
+Super Mario Galaxy -- $49.99 -- E for Everyone
This game is a must-own for sure. Classic Super Mario fun reincarnated on the Wii with a soundtrack that I hear is out of this world.
+WarioWare Smooth Moves -- $49.99 -- E for Everyone
Wario's oddball minigame series continues onto the Wii, calling on players to wave, wiggle and move with the Wiimote to complete various tasks such as hoola-hooping, moving a ball through a maze, picking up trash or trimming nose hairs (yep, basic hygiene is FUN). Completing these five-second minigames will allow players to progress through the game and unlock MORE minigames, until a multi-player mode is unlocked. In multi-player, you and your friends share a Wiimote (BONUS: don't need to buy extra $30-$50 controllers) and can compete in four different games. Good entertainment that will last at least 15 minutes :D
+NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams -- $49.99 -- E for Everyone
Another game that may turn out to be as fantastic of an adventure as Super Mario Galaxy, Remade from a 10-year-old Sega Saturn game that is highly revered to this day.
+Guitar Hero III -- $89.99 -- T for Teen
Activision's hot guitar playing simulation. Getting this game and maybe an extra guitar for two-player options is a great gift.
+Metroid Prime Corruption -- $49.99 -- T for Teen
Definitely for the older kiddies; This creepy, realistic space shooter with lots of aliens and Space Pirates follows bounty hunter Samus Aran's adventures. Aside from shooting action, the game also requires players to solve puzzles in order to progress in the game.
+Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn -- $49.99 -- E for Everyone
Strategy game that is the sequel to the GameCube title Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance.
+Zack and Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure -- $49.99 -- E for Everyone
A delightful-looking puzzle adventure game that is getting some great reviews and attention. Looks like a great game for the kids.
+Wii Points Card -- $19.99 for 2,000 points to spend on Virtual Console games
NOTE: Your Wii needs to be able to connect to the Internet in order to buy/download games from the Virtual Console. Make sure your Wii has a working connection to the Internet before purchasing.
Click the here for the Virtual Console's official site, which includes a full list of games and point prices.
With this little card, your gamer can purchase anything their heart desires from the Wii's Virtual Console, an online store that vends old, classic games that are downloaded to your Wii. You can then play these games on the Wii. Virtual Console games can be classic games from the following systems: NES, Super NES, Nintendo 64 (N64), Sega Genesis, NeoGeo and TurboGrafx16. Games range from 500 - 1,000 points (N64 and Sega Genesis games tend to be more expensive). This is a great gift; got one for my friend last year and she wants another one ^_~
+Geometry Wars
Elebits?
The plus signs next to game titles will lead you to the game's Gamerankings.com site, which contains links to loads of reviews.
+Super Mario Galaxy -- $49.99 -- E for Everyone
This game is a must-own for sure. Classic Super Mario fun reincarnated on the Wii with a soundtrack that I hear is out of this world.
+WarioWare Smooth Moves -- $49.99 -- E for Everyone
Wario's oddball minigame series continues onto the Wii, calling on players to wave, wiggle and move with the Wiimote to complete various tasks such as hoola-hooping, moving a ball through a maze, picking up trash or trimming nose hairs (yep, basic hygiene is FUN). Completing these five-second minigames will allow players to progress through the game and unlock MORE minigames, until a multi-player mode is unlocked. In multi-player, you and your friends share a Wiimote (BONUS: don't need to buy extra $30-$50 controllers) and can compete in four different games. Good entertainment that will last at least 15 minutes :D
+NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams -- $49.99 -- E for Everyone
Another game that may turn out to be as fantastic of an adventure as Super Mario Galaxy, Remade from a 10-year-old Sega Saturn game that is highly revered to this day.
+Guitar Hero III -- $89.99 -- T for Teen
Activision's hot guitar playing simulation. Getting this game and maybe an extra guitar for two-player options is a great gift.
+Metroid Prime Corruption -- $49.99 -- T for Teen
Definitely for the older kiddies; This creepy, realistic space shooter with lots of aliens and Space Pirates follows bounty hunter Samus Aran's adventures. Aside from shooting action, the game also requires players to solve puzzles in order to progress in the game.
+Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn -- $49.99 -- E for Everyone
Strategy game that is the sequel to the GameCube title Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance.
+Zack and Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure -- $49.99 -- E for Everyone
A delightful-looking puzzle adventure game that is getting some great reviews and attention. Looks like a great game for the kids.
+Wii Points Card -- $19.99 for 2,000 points to spend on Virtual Console games
NOTE: Your Wii needs to be able to connect to the Internet in order to buy/download games from the Virtual Console. Make sure your Wii has a working connection to the Internet before purchasing.
Click the here for the Virtual Console's official site, which includes a full list of games and point prices.
With this little card, your gamer can purchase anything their heart desires from the Wii's Virtual Console, an online store that vends old, classic games that are downloaded to your Wii. You can then play these games on the Wii. Virtual Console games can be classic games from the following systems: NES, Super NES, Nintendo 64 (N64), Sega Genesis, NeoGeo and TurboGrafx16. Games range from 500 - 1,000 points (N64 and Sega Genesis games tend to be more expensive). This is a great gift; got one for my friend last year and she wants another one ^_~
+Geometry Wars
Elebits?
DS Holiday Games
Handheld Holiday
The Nintendo DS--easily the most kid-friendly system out there (aside from the Wii, maybe) with plenty of safe games to choose from. Here's a list of DS titles, old and new, the whole family can enjoy for the holidays.
+Nintendogs
You may have finally found an answer to, "Mommmmm/daaaaad, can we please get a puppy?" This game has all the responsibility and fun of owning a dog with none of the mess. The DS's microphone allows you to give voice commands to your puppy.
+Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
The latest installment in the Zelda series that gaming publications have been raving about. Zelda games are always a good ride--I've been playing them since I was eight or nine. This continues the story established in Zelda: Wind Waker, as Link sets out to sail the ocean again guided by your touch screen and stylus.
+PokeMon Pearl/Diamond
Another safe bet, especially if your kid loves PokeMon. This is the most expansive handheld version of the game yet, and with wireless/online capabilities you can battle or trade PokeMon your neighbor or someone across the globe.
+Zoo Hospital
It's Trauma Center for the little ones. Kids get to play veterinarian for zoo animals. Where was this game when I was six years old?
+LEGO Star Wars the Complete Saga - $29.99
Good, fun Star Wars adventure. It has cooperative modes, so 2 people who have DSs and copies of LEGO Star Wars CS can play together.
+Animal Crossing: Wild World
It was released two years ago, but it doesn't change the fact that it's a great gift. ACWW is addictive, fun and has wireless/online capabilities so you can play with friends near and far. Think of it as a mini-MMO for kids (well, ACWW can appeal to anyone, but it's kid-friendly for sure).
+Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney
This might be too much for younger kids, but it's way too fun of a game to not put on here. You play rookie attorney Phoenix Wright as you defend various clients through five different court cases (FYI: All cases in this game are murder cases). You sleuth around crime scenes to gather evidence and then use your gathered information to pick out lies and contradictions in witness testimonies. The game is heavily text-based (the whole story is progressed by character dialogue), so it's a fun way to trick people into reading.
+Draglade
A fighting/action game hybrid from Atlus (who I know for their hit-or-miss quirky games). Previews look interesting, but wait until the game's release on 12/4 for more info before you buy.
+Ontamarama - $29.99
+Elite Beat Agents
These are all of the suggestions for now; check back later for more!
The Nintendo DS--easily the most kid-friendly system out there (aside from the Wii, maybe) with plenty of safe games to choose from. Here's a list of DS titles, old and new, the whole family can enjoy for the holidays.
+Nintendogs
You may have finally found an answer to, "Mommmmm/daaaaad, can we please get a puppy?" This game has all the responsibility and fun of owning a dog with none of the mess. The DS's microphone allows you to give voice commands to your puppy.
+Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
The latest installment in the Zelda series that gaming publications have been raving about. Zelda games are always a good ride--I've been playing them since I was eight or nine. This continues the story established in Zelda: Wind Waker, as Link sets out to sail the ocean again guided by your touch screen and stylus.
+PokeMon Pearl/Diamond
Another safe bet, especially if your kid loves PokeMon. This is the most expansive handheld version of the game yet, and with wireless/online capabilities you can battle or trade PokeMon your neighbor or someone across the globe.
+Zoo Hospital
It's Trauma Center for the little ones. Kids get to play veterinarian for zoo animals. Where was this game when I was six years old?
+LEGO Star Wars the Complete Saga - $29.99
Good, fun Star Wars adventure. It has cooperative modes, so 2 people who have DSs and copies of LEGO Star Wars CS can play together.
+Animal Crossing: Wild World
It was released two years ago, but it doesn't change the fact that it's a great gift. ACWW is addictive, fun and has wireless/online capabilities so you can play with friends near and far. Think of it as a mini-MMO for kids (well, ACWW can appeal to anyone, but it's kid-friendly for sure).
+Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney
This might be too much for younger kids, but it's way too fun of a game to not put on here. You play rookie attorney Phoenix Wright as you defend various clients through five different court cases (FYI: All cases in this game are murder cases). You sleuth around crime scenes to gather evidence and then use your gathered information to pick out lies and contradictions in witness testimonies. The game is heavily text-based (the whole story is progressed by character dialogue), so it's a fun way to trick people into reading.
+Draglade
A fighting/action game hybrid from Atlus (who I know for their hit-or-miss quirky games). Previews look interesting, but wait until the game's release on 12/4 for more info before you buy.
+Ontamarama - $29.99
+Elite Beat Agents
These are all of the suggestions for now; check back later for more!
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