A new feature at EdutainingKids.com, our Buyer's Guides help make buying choices easy for consumers. We test hundreds of children's products and strive to keep up to date on the latest releases. Of course, every family is unique. We can't please everyone. However, we are able to select some special titles that are at the top of our "edutainment" list--those that have that extra edge in the categories of design, entertainment, education, and play value.
Besides the letter grades we give most products, reviews on this site often come with a rating bar chart--a visual breakdown of how the product rates in a number of categories. If you'd like to know more about how software products are rated, click here.
As we test new software and products, we will update these buyer's guides to reflect current availability and up-to-date recommendations. These guides are intended to help parents make sense of the overwhelming choices available to them.
Video Games for Kids: Nintendo Wii
The games we recommend stand out for multi-level and extensive gameplay or ease of use.
1Animal Crossing: City Folk - Best Games for the Wii
There's always something to do in the Animal Crossing series, which offers kids a very leisurely, non-violent style of play. Animal Crossing City Folk features a "virtual village" populated with human-like animals. Players live in their village, tend to everyday routines, and communicate with other villages. There is a 24-hour "real time" clock in the game, which means that the sun will set when the "real" sun sets, for example. The game's clock also coordinates with real time dates, so that seasons change accordingly. The developers of Animal Crossing seemed to have tapped into the popularity of the social aspect of games with a unique communication feature. Kids can transfer their character to their friend's village and interact with the characters in their game!
Players fish and garden, interact with neighbors, collect furnishings for their homes, and so forth. The village life unfolds day by day. Up to 4 players, so it's great for families.
Product Description
If you were given the keys to your own community, what would you do? Go fishing, collect shells or watch fireworks with friends? Build a snowman, exchange presents with family or decorate your house for the holidays? Take a trip to the city, go on a shopping spree or visit friends from all over the globe? In Animal Crossing: City Folk, life moves at a relaxed pace, but the world brims with endless possibilities.
You make the whole story, as you and up to three other players move into a town and just live life. Befriend your animal neighbors, decorate your house with cool furnishings, fill up your wardrobe, get to know the local wildlife, hop on a bus to visit the new city and just explore the world. There are a million different ways to play. Every charming animal character has a personality: some are grouches while others are chatterboxes. And there's no final goal or high score to hit. The game keeps going for as long as you want to play, and your town will always be there when you return. Move into town, buy a house and then do whatever you want. Time and seasons pass as they do in the real world, so there's always something different happening. Collect more than 2,400 items, go fishing for rare and interesting fish, catch all kind of cool bugs, dig up dinosaur fossils and buried treasure, hang out with other players or spend the day in the city. There's so much to do, and you have all the time in the world to explore it all.
Recommended for: Families who appreciate games with a gentle, relaxing pace.
Why do we recommend this game? Non-violent gameplay that's perfect for the younger crowd. For children who enjoy leisurely games, this one offers a lot to do.
[For more information, or to buy: Animal Crossing: City Folk for the Wii at Amazon.com]
De Blob - Best Games for the Wii
It's time to paint the town red...yellow, orange, green, and so forth. Kids will have a blast playing as super hero de Blob--a fiery ball of color--in an attempt to colorize Chroma City, a community doomed to a dull and colorless future.
The game plays as impressively as it looks. Attention to detail is evident throughout. Players use custom paints and patterns--even sounds--to save the city as they battle Inkies. Very well done--don't miss this one!
Product Description
Only de Blob can flip, bounce and paint his way past the all-powerful I.N.K.T. Corporation to launch a color revolution and save Chroma City from a future without color. Battle against massive tank battalions, speedy I.N.K.T. racers and elite Inky soldiers on your quest to free the citizens of Chroma City. Avoid hot plates, electric shocks and inky turrets to create your own path to the impenetrable I.N.K.T. Fortress. Just remember that the struggle to reclaim Chroma City is to be fought on your terms. Remix the city in your own image using custom paints, patterns and soundtracks. Super-size your blob to attack larger and stronger enemies. Join the Color Revolutionaries to refine your skills while making a mess. The race to rescue Chroma City has just begun, and only de Blob can save the world from a black-and-white future.
Multiplayer - Compete to control Chroma City in 4-player split screen and online.
Recommended for: Families who want to have fun.
Why do we recommend this game? Impressive audio and visual, and gameplay to match. It's challenging enough for older kids and adults, while still very appealing and "playable" for the younger crowd. A family pleaser.
[For more information, or to buy: DeBlob for the Wii at Amazon.com]
Super Mario Galaxy - Best Games for the Wii
Mario's adventure in space is appealing to kids of all ages as they use the Wii remote and Nunchuk to control Mario's movement and special moves. A special feature in this title lets two children play cooperatively. Transform Mario into a bee in order to make it through the honeycombs, or into a ghost ("Boo") in the haunted house level. This game is a must-own with its breathtaking animations, involving gameplay, and superb variety.
Product Description
Every hundred years a comet passes over the Mushroom Kingdom and rains down stars and stardust, and as Princess Peach and the citizens of the kingdom are celebrating the centennial event, Bowser and his legions attack by launching asteroids at the Mushroom Kingdom and crystalizing the Toads! Knowing that Bowser is after Princess Peach, Mario runs to save her. Things go awry as Bowser summons a massive spaceship, abducts Peach's entire castle and hits Mario with a massive magical attack. The next thing he knows, he finds himself on a mysterious moon high above the Mushroom Kingdom! Navigate Mario through a bevy of exciting new worlds and the depths of space, with all new enemies, power-ups and attack skills, as he collects the Stars needed to save Princess Peach! Two player functionality.
Recommended for: Mario fans and more.
Why do we recommend this game? Engrossing, graphically rich, involving, and pleasantly challenging. Its length is satisfying, its variety superb, and its controls are strong.
[For more information, or to buy: Super Mario Galaxy for the Wii at Amazon.com]
2The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Players control Link in an epic adventure in this fabulous game for the Wii. With the Wii system, kids actually "swing" Link's sword, aim slingshots, and more, for exciting interactivity. Impressive for its depth, this game is engrossing and satisfying.
Product Description
The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess brings you back to the land of Hyrule, as you uncover the mystery behind its plunge into darkness. Link, a young man raised as a wrangler in a rural village, is ordered by the mayor to attend the Hyrule Summit. He sets off, oblivious to the dark fate that has descended upon the kingdom. When he enters the Twilight Realm that has covered Hyrule, he transforms into a wolf and is captured. A mysterious figure helps him break free, and with the aid of her magic, they set off to free the land from the shadows. Link must explore the vast land of Hyrule and As he does, he'll have to enlist the aid of friendly folk, solve puzzles and battle his way through dangerous dungeons. In the Twilight Realm, he'll have to use his wolf abilities and Midna's magic to bring light to the land. Revisit classic and new characters - Link, Zelda, Midna and many others.
Recommended for: Zelda fans; children ages 9-up.
Why do we recommend this game? It's challenging and adventurous, yet remains "blood-free". Kids use both the remote and the Nunchuk alternately, keeping them engaged and active. Players get some help when they are stuck in a puzzle. It's a lengthy game that can take some time to complete. Kids generally return to it often instead of attempting to beat it as quickly as possible. Top-notch game that won't disappoint.
[For more information, or to buy: Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Amazon.com]
3Super Smash Bros. Brawl
This highly-anticipated "battle" game has little to offer on an educational level, of course, but is great fun. It's the third in the Super Smash Bros. series. Familiar characters and features from the previous two games in the series are all here, plus many more. Characters range well beyond Mario and friends--they are culled from many favorite video games past and present, and not just Nintendo ones either. The graphics, new characters, and new stage sets delight young fans. While the game doesn't take advantage of the Wiimote, it doesn't need to and really shouldn't. The main advantage of Super Smash Bros. on the Wii is the ability to battle friends and strangers via the online multiplayer option. Fun!
Product Description
Engage the rage with Super Smash Bros. Brawl! The third installment of the incredibly successful Super Smash Bros. series is now on the Wii, the roster is longer than ever, but that just means more butt to kick across over a dozen different, graphic-rich stages with original moves, new modified moves, and a brand-new super attack called Final Smash! Old favorites like Mario, Link, Peach and Kirby are now joined by such exciting newcomers as Wario, Solid Snake and Sonic the Hedgehog. With a variety of new modes, an absolutely epic soundtrack and the ability to play with distant friends through online multiplayer, this is a game you'll have to break your own fingers to put down. Original soundtrack from 36 different artists Online Multiplayer ESRB Rated RP for Rating Pending
Recommended for: Young fans of the Super Smash Bros. series and newcomers alike; ages 6-up.
Why do we recommend this game? Although it's (almost) mindless entertainment, Super Smash Bros. Brawl is great fun.
[For more information, or to buy: Super Smash Bros. Brawl at Amazon.com]
4
Zack and Wiki Quest for Barbaro's Treasure
This platform game is a virtually undiscovered pleasant surprise. Children lead Zack, a pirate, along with his buddy, Wiki, on an ambitious adventure--Zack wants to be the greatest pirate ever. This exciting adventure involves kids in solving puzzles and battling bosses--a classic platform game but one that also uses the Nunchuk creatively.
Product Description
As a little pirate with big dreams, Zack doesn't just have his sights set on mere treasure or spectacularly speedy pirate ships - he wants to be the greatest pirate who ever lived! To reach that lofty goal, he is going to have to outwit, outsmart and outduel every obstacle that gets in his way. It's a good thing he's found his new enchanted pal, Wiki, a magical hand bell with the power to transform any object into something practical. Get ready to explore seven vibrant and fantastic lands, from lush jungles and frigid ice temples to colossal castles and floating airships. Each level contains multiple sub-levels of peril, puzzles and plunder. Play alone or as a group to work through each increasingly complex puzzle. Use the Wii Remote to navigate, open objects, transform items and unlock new pathways with a whole new variety of methods. Even boss battles are puzzle-based, so you'll need to think on your feet! ESRB Rated E for Everyone.
Recommended for: Families who love platform games; ages 6-up.
Why do we recommend this game? The graphics are stunning, the length of the game is satisfying, and kids can play cooperatively. A good family-friendly platform game.
[For more information, or to buy: Zack & Wiki Quest for Barbaros’ Treasure at Amazon.com]
Guitar Hero III
This hard-to-get package for the 2007 Holiday season comes bundled with a wireless guitar controller that allows players to "thrash" their way through games. Big warning here: although the musical elements are strong, the themes are quite "mature" if you want to call it that.
Product Description
The third game from the Guitar Hero series is here, and ready to rock your face off. Channel your inner guitar god as you thrash your way through all sorts of venues, In addition to standard Guitar Hero features you know and adore, this game features all kinds of killer new options, such as the new multiplayer action-inspired battle mode, grueling boss battles, a bevy of exclusive unlockable content and authentic rock venues. The expanded online multiplayer game modes will also allow axe-shredders worldwide to compete head-to-head for true legendary rock status. Best of all, check out the new songs! Fresh downloadable content will be offered on multiple platforms, and players can now shred to a set list from many of the greatest rock songs ever recorded. Featured hits include: Rock And Roll All Nite (as made famous by Kiss) School's Out (as made famous by Alice Cooper) Cult of Personality (by Living Colour) Barracuda (as made famous by Heart).
This game comes bundled with the all-new wireless Gibson Les Paul guitar controller, available for each platform for the very first time. The exclusive Gibson guitars include innovative features such as removable faceplates that will allow fans to later personalize their guitars and make it their own, and a new button color design that will be integrated for an even greater authentic feel and rock experience.
Recommended for: Teens.
Why do we recommend this game? Note that the game is rated Teen and recommended for ages 13 years and up--as it should be. There is a cooperative play option which is always a good feature for families, and it's a real blast. See our Full Review.
[For more information, or to buy: Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Bundle for the Wii at Amazon.com]
5Wario Ware Smooth Moves
We have not had this much fun with a video game in a long time. A true family and/or party game, playing WarioWare: Smooth Moves actually works up a sweat and elicits endless giggles. It's quirky, no doubt, and stays true to the WarioWare series. However, with the unique technology of the Nintendo Wii, Smooth Moves involves active and interactive participation.
The single player mode (which is necessary to play in order to unlock multi-player modes) is essentially a set of random, very short mini-games. Mini-games range from swatting a fly to copying dance moves to picking a nose. The list goes on and on. There are a number of basic controller positions that are required to play the mini-games, and players are alerted to the particular position by a message flashed on the screen immediately prior to the timed and short activity. The controller positions include such things as The Boxer, The Mohawk, The Thumb Wrestler, The Remote Control, The Discard, and the Samurai. The dance moves activity makes players laugh every time. Kids copy three other onscreen dancers by literally performing their dance moves. The graphics are goofy and unusual, and cut-scenes the same. There are Boss Stages, 1-ups, and "Faster!" stages that keep things moving. Random elements from other Nintendo games, old and new, appear throughout the game (example, Nintendogs, Mario Brothers, Zelda, and Animal Crossing).
Now, the multi-player games truly introduce major fun into the whole experience. In fact, if you don't intend on playing the game with others, perhaps it's not the best choice for you (the single-player mode is great fun and replayable, but somewhat short-lived all in all). Note that you do not need more than one Wii controller in order to play the multi-player games--players simply pass the controller to one another in these turn-taking or teamwork games. A group of Mii's (see our review of the Wii console if you're unfamiliar with the Mii character avatars) can play against or with each other. For example, two players can join forces in a relay race, jumping over hurdles (and remember, players literally jump in order to play). A group of players can also compete in a race, playing mini-games in order to advance their position in the race.
You'll need plenty of space in your living room (or whatever room you're playing in)--a coffee table with wheels helps! The beginning instructions say it all--besides basic safety instructions (such as "always wear your wristband"), the game tells you to "let go of your inhibitions". Very fresh and unique--an unforgettable family and party game!
Recommended for: Families, kids ages 8 and up.
Why do we recommend this game? This Wii game is non-violent, quirky, and a physical experience in which children can really work up a sweat. It has loads of charm and personality, and is excellent as a party game. Although replayable, the single-player mode is somewhat short-lived.
[For more information, or to buy: Warioware: Smooth Moves for the Wii at Amazon.com]
6Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga
Kids play through the events of all six Star Wars movies in this compelling game that is likely to appeal to the whole family. In fact, teamwork is encouraged. In order to solve puzzles and build successfully, players need to draw upon creative thinking skills.
Product Description
Building on the success of both Lego Star Wars videogames, Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga enables families to play through the events of all six Star Wars movies in one videogame for the first time ever. Developer Traveller's Tales has brought the action to the Nintendo Wii, with motion-sensitive inputs that give you exciting new ways to control your Lego Star Wars characters, while also adding new characters, new levels, and new features. The upgraded Character Customizer includes all Prequel Trilogy characters for the first time, while also expanding its customization options well beyond those in Lego Star Wars II, for millions more possibilities. Create cross-Trilogy mash-up characters like Han Windu and Lando Amidala. New game features include enhanced Force powers, new power-ups, and a new Challenge Mode. Levels from the original Lego Star Wars are revamped to meet the gameplay evolutions of Lego Star Wars II. ESRB Rated E10 for gamers aged 10 and up.
Recommended for: Ages 9-up.
Why do we recommend this game? It has more life than most games (extensive game-play), original challenges, requires drawing upon creative thinking skills, and encourages teamwork or cooperative play. Excellent family game.
[For more information, or to buy: Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga for the Wii at Amazon.com]
7Mario Party 8
Although it's not the best game out there, Mario Party 8 is a whole lot of fun for families. The controls are simple and the theme is party-fantastic. Children play mini-games and progressively unlock more as they advance.
Product Description
The world's most popular party videogame is getting a lot crazier in Mario Party 8 for Wii! Whether you're shaking up cola cans or lassoing barrels, you and your friends will be drawn into the action like never before using the Wii Remote.
All-new ways to play:
- Play with motion control: Row your way through a river race, Punch a statue to pieces, Steer race cars, mopeds, and go-karts, Handle a balancing pole while walking a tightrope.
- Play using the Pointer: Shoot at Boos in a haunted house, Drag and drop toppings in a cake-decorating competition, Select the correct answers in game-show challenges.
- Play using the Wii Remote's buttons: Jump and pummel your way through a football brawl, Hop and run across a field of spinning platforms.
Mario Party 8 for Wii also includes dozens of new mini-games, six new party boards, and many new game modes. In a series first, players can transform their characters into many forms, such as player-smashing boulders and coin-sucking vampires. Mario Party 8 also includes "extra-large" mini-games like Star Carnival Bowling and Table Menace. One to four players can play Mario Party 8 for Wii, each with a Wii Remote.
Recommended for: Children ages 7-up; groups of kids. Good for players who prefer not to play games that are too involving or heavy.
Why do we recommend this game? This game encourages group play and is light and enjoyable.
[For more information, or to buy: Mario Party 8 for the Wii at Amazon.com]
8High School Musical Sing it Bundle with Microphone
This is highly addictive fare for fans of High School Musical! A 13-year old tester who has pretty much outgrown many video games proclaimed that this one is amazing. (She also loves the Karaoke-style SingStar video games for Playstation).
In this karaoke-style video game, players chose a character from High School Musical and perform songs from the original show and the sequel. Kids can go solo or team up and sing a duet with a partner. The game also includes extras, such as interviews with the cast.
Product Description
Get those vocal cords ready! Based on the phenomenally successful Disney Channel original movie "High School Musical," Disney's High School Musical: Sing It! features songs, sets and characters from the original film. this karaoke video game allows fans to interact with the movies' stars for the first time on any gaming console. With 30 songs to choose from, along with 30 minutes of "High School Musical" bonus footage and cast interviews, High School Musical: Sing It! will be the karaoke game of choice for fans, kids, tweens and families. Players can also choose their favorite backdrop and belt out hit songs from other popular Disney Channel favorites.
Recommended for: High School Musical fans--don't bother if the child is not a fan.
Why do we recommend this game? The better kids perform in their songs, the more they can unlock. For some, this is a title that is better as a rental, as it may not have a lot of steam over time. Loads of fun for fans. Comes with a microphone designed for the Wii.
[For more information, or to buy: High School Musical: Sing It Bundle with Microphone at Amazon.com]
9Smarty Pants
Here is a game that gets kids (and their parents) thinking. Brimming with trivia questions in a variety of categories, Smary Pants actually tailors questions to the age of each player, making it ideal for family play. Players can compete against each other or play cooperatively. The game also features country-appropriate content for North America, UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. We love the fact that kids can play as their own Mii. The only flaw is that the scores are not kept in single player mode--it's meant for practice only, and we don't understand why that is the case!
Product Description
From the EA Casual Entertainment label, Smarty Pants finally levels the playing field for people of all ages, allowing simultaneous play using age-targeted trivia plus action based gestures, making it a truly trans-generational game made exclusively for the Wii.
Tailoring questions to the contestant's age, gamers from eight to eighty can join in on the fun all at the same time. Every player's answer is tracked, and the game automatically adjusts the difficulty level to provide continuous stimulation and interactive challenges that are age appropriate. Exciting Wii gestures make everything a game, from spinning the category wheel and tug-of-wars over correct answers, to "dance-offs" for additional points.
Smarty Pants boasts multiple game modes including a family mode, a single team race against time and a rapid-fire competitive mode perfect for groups of friends. With both competitive and collaborative game modes and 20,000 questions in multiple categories, the fun is virtually endless!
ESRB Rated E for Everyone.Recommended for: Groups of kids, families, kids ages 8 and up. Questions are tailored to the ages of players.
Why do we recommend this game? This is a very family-friendly game that encourages interaction. It features multiple ways to play (competitively and cooperatively) and a good variety of questions. The customization feature (by age and country) strengthens this offering.
[For more information, or to buy: Smarty Pants for the Wii at Amazon.com]
10
Cosmic Family
Good for younger kids!
This game is rare educational fare for preschoolers designed for the Wii. It features coloring and solving simple puzzles. The only problem with this title is that it doesn't take full advantage of the Wii's capabilities, but it's easy to grasp for the very young.
Product Description
Cosmic Family is an interactive kids game where you'll get to explore a rocket house with the Cosmic Family! They'll have a great time meeting Mom and Dad Cosmic, Big Sister, the two small children, the aloof dog, the lazy cat, and plenty of colorful monsters. Families can pilot a rocket into space & play 15 early-learning mini-games found throughout the five floors of the rocket-house. Use your magic wand (the Wii Remote) to reveal crazy animations, funny stories and playful mini games.
Recommended for: Children ages 3-5. Children any older will find it too easy.
Why do we recommend this game? It's educational and good for preschoolers. Longevity is questionable, however.
[For more information, or to buy: Cosmic Family at Amazon.com]
Also Consider:
Wii Play with Wii Remote
Buy this package for the remote!
All in all, the Wii Play games are not as appealing or exceptional as the Wii Sports games that come with the Wii. However, you can buy this package for just a little more than the price of a remote, so if you need a new remote, this package is valuable. Kids can play pool, tennis, fishing, laser hockey, and more.
Product Description
Wii Play collects nine quick and addictive games that are easy to pick up and play and hard to put away. Thanks to the intuitive controls of the Wii Remote, even the most inexperienced gamers will have no trouble mastering the controls. Wii Play features nine separate mini-games, including the following: Shooting Range, a point-and-fire game of target practice in the Duck Hunt tradition; Billiards, a simplified variation of nine-ball with stunningly realistic physics that uses your Wii Remote as your pool cue; Find Mii, in which you scan the crowds to find the right Mii—and Miis you and your friends created make an appearance; Tanks!, in which you command a toy tank on a miniature battlefield in a gauntlet of 100 missions; other games include Pose Mii, Table Tennis, Fishing, Charge!, and Laser Hockey. Every game features a multiplayer mode, so you and your friends can compete for the high score or go head to head to see who’s the best. Wii Play comes with a white Wii Remote so that your friends can join in the action. (Nunchuk not included.)
Recommended for: Families requiring an extra Wii remote.
Why do we recommend this game? This collection of games is similar to the Wii Sports collection that comes with the Nintendo Wii console, but not as engaging. However, the price of the bundle is only a little more than the price of remote, and the games included are nice to add to your collection.
[For more information, or to buy: Wii Play with Wii Remote at Amazon.com]
My Sims
If you're expecting a typical Sims games, you'll be surprised--MySims isn't. It's more appropriate for younger children, ages 8-11, particularly with the appearance of the Sims (they are cuter and chunkier). Kids learn that the MySims town used to be full of life, personality, and happy Sims--when it had Essences power to build good things. Now that this power is gone, the town has changed for the worst. Players have Essences, and the power to build. Children customize a Sim, and then use the control stick to move the Sim around to collect Essences, perform specified tasks, and build. The first step is to build their own home, which is in need of serious attention.
Product Description
Explore a whole new world with MySims—it’s your world to transform! Move to a town that has been struggling lately. With a little creativity and some help from the locals, you can make this place thrive. Improve the town to attract new characters, from the Italian Chef and Florist to the Kickboxing Instructor and DJ. Discover what the residents want and need so that you can help them enjoy life in their town. Design a hot tub or a jukebox from scratch, build homes and businesses from the roof to the front door. Uncover special decorations and patterns as you explore the growing town. From the furniture and objects to the buildings to the town as a whole, each of your creations is unique. In MySims, what you make … makes all the difference!
Recommended for: Children who enjoy simulations, ages 8-11.
Why do we recommend this game? My Sims is a positive and non-violent environment for children who enjoy building, planning, and relatively easygoing gameplay.
[For more information, or to buy: MySims at Amazon.com]
The Simpsons Game - Wii
This game surprised us in a pleasant way! To date, we haven't found a lot to love about Simpsons games, but this one plays true to the franchise. Players feel very much a part of Simpsons episodes as they play as their favorite characters.
Product Description
In The Simpsons Game, Homer, Marge, Bart, and Lisa use exciting, all-new powers to defend their home town from rising chaos. While the Simpsons have general abilities that can be used to fight opponents, interact with environments, and finish puzzles; each one has been imbued with special abilities that are unique to their personalities. These abilities grow and change as they progress through the story to battle tougher and tougher enemies in their quest to save Springfield! To help the Simpsons, gamers must journey through their home town (as well as vast worlds beyond!), vanquish an amazing array of villains, and fight their way through parodies of multiple popular games. 100% original script from the writers of the show with 4 distinct acts divided into 16 episodes and over 8,000 lines of dialogue. The open-world Springfield was designed as a central locale to jump into episodes with iconic locations to visit, characters to be visited and interact with, and hundreds of collectibles to be found. With parodies of the video game industry, pop culture and current events, the game has the same gut wrenching hilarity as the show. Co-op Play - With two members of The Simpsons family involved in each episode, all episodes can be played cooperatively. ESRB Rated T for Teen.
Recommended for: Simpsons teen fans. The somewhat irreverent humor is on par with the show.
Why do we recommend this game? As long as families don't object to the Simpsons show, they are sure to enjoy this engaging game.
[For more information, or to buy: The Simpsons Game for the Wii at Amazon.com]
Carnival Games - Wii
Kids take part in 20 carnival-style mini-games, many of which capitalize on the unique Wii remote features. Kids enjoy customizing characters and collecting carnival prizes. Open-ended fun.
Product Description
Carnival Games brings home all the excitement and fanfare of a day at the carnival. All the fun and games of a day at a carnival is yours -- without spending a lot of money or dealing with annoying crowds. Play fun multi-player games and collect prizes, just like at a real carnival.
Recommended for: Children and families, ages 6+.
Why do we recommend this game? It's fun whether kids play solo or with others. Good clean fun for families.
[For more information, or to buy: Carnival Games for the Wii at Amazon.com]
Mario and Sonic at the Olympics Games - Wii
Kids compete against friends or AI in this fun sports game for the Wii starring two favorite characters, Mario and Sonic. Kids can choose to play as Mario or Sonic characters, or their own Mii characters, and compete is such events as swimming, trampoline, table tennis, skeet shooting, and much more. New games are unlocked as kids advance.
Product Description
Two of the most beloved icons in the world, Mario and Sonic, are joining forces to star in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games. Developed exclusively for the Nintendo Wii, this momentous agreement marks the first time these two renowned stars have appeared together in a game. The game's all-star cast of characters including Mario, Sonic, Luigi, Knuckles, Yoshi, Tails and more. Innovative usage of the Wii control system to maneuver your favorite character allows players to race the likes of Mario and Sonic down the 100m track, leap over the high jump or churn water in a swimming heat, all while competing for the much sought-after Olympic gold medal. With multiplayer capability up to four people, the stage is set for Olympic excitement with Mario and Sonic! ESRB Rated E for Everyone.
Recommended for: Children and families, ages 6+.
Why do we recommend this game? Families who love the physical aspect of the Wii system will be happy to know that kids get a workout as they play this game's fun collection of sports games.
[For more information, or to buy: Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games for the Wii at Amazon.com]
December 2007; Updated March 2008/October 2008/November 2008