Buyer's
Guide: Best
Video Games for Kids: GameBoy Advance
Related
Links
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: GameBoy Advance
A wider screen
than the GameBoy Color, nice graphics, and highly convenient
portability are some of the many advantages of the GameBoy
Advance. The games we recommend stand out for multi-level and
extensive gameplay or ease of use.
Ages 3-6
I Spy
Challenger
This is an
unusually educational title for the GameBoy Advance. Well, not in
a direct, 3 R's kind of way...but in a brain-challenging sense.
It's a great
game to take in the car for "edutainment" during both
short and lengthy
trips.
I Spy
Challenger is filled with I Spy riddles that encourage reading and
creative/logical thinking. There are 100+ levels to the game,
various variations on activities, bonus rounds, timed challenges,
and other such exciting things.
Recommended
for: Preschoolers to age 5-6, children who enjoy find-it games
and puzzles.
Why do we
recommend this game? It's
educational and entertaining at the same time. The challenge level
is appropriate for children ages 4-6.
Dora the
Explorer: Search for Pirate Pig's Treasure
Many
GameBoy Advance games that are based on preschooler shows are too
challenging for preschoolers! This one is far more
age-appropriate, although it is not without its challenges. Older
siblings and adults might have to assist once in a while.
However, the
controls are simple and the theme is fantastic. There is nothing
here to make little ones nervous -- there are no lives to lose,
for example. It's just plain fun. The only real downside is that
it may not last for too, too long--but it is a great introductory
game for young children clamoring for a turn on the GameBoy
Advance.
Recommended
for: Preschoolers to age 5-6, Dora the Explorer fans, children
who enjoy simple puzzles.
Why do we
recommend this game? This game is MANAGEABLE for preschoolers.
It's preschooler-friendly both in theme and challenge level.
Although older kids and adults may need to help out once in a
while, this game is close to ideal as an introductory video
game.
Both
Pokemon FireRed and Pokemon LeafGreen are multi-layered and detailed games.
Players return to Kanto, the setting for Pokemon Red and Pokemon
Blue.
The new games are set in Kanto, the
region where Pokémon first took root and exploded into a major
phenomenon, and the latest titles stuff in tons of exciting new
features. Some of the
special features include more impressive graphics and a free GBA
Wireless Adapter. As other wireless Trainers come within reach of
the range of a player's adapter, they will be able to communicate
and play games together. As players leave the range, they'll
vanish from a player's wireless network.
The graphics are improved and compelling. These versions
allow players to capture all of the Pokemon that weren't available
in Ruby and Sapphire versions, which pleases our testers. Once
players complete certain tasks in the LeafGreen and FireRed games,
they are able to trade Pokemon between these new games and
Ruby/Sapphire as well as Pokemon Colosseum. One veteran Pokemon
gamer feels that these new versions are more challenging than the
Ruby and Sapphire editions.
Recommended
for: All Pokemon fans! Children ages
8-13. There are
"battle" themes, but those families who approve of the
Pokemon show will approve of this game.
Why do we
recommend this game? This program is engrossing and
certainly deep enough to justify the price tag. Pokemon LeafGreen
and FireRed versions are involving games with loads of appeal. Best
of all, the games contain extensive gameplay opportunities.
Both
Pokemon FireRed and Pokemon LeafGreen are multi-layered and detailed games.
Players return to Kanto, the setting for Pokemon Red and Pokemon
Blue.
The new games are set in Kanto, the
region where Pokémon first took root and exploded into a major
phenomenon, and the latest titles stuff in tons of exciting new
features. Some of the
special features include more impressive graphics and a free GBA
Wireless Adapter. As other wireless Trainers come within reach of
the range of a player's adapter, they will be able to communicate
and play games together. As players leave the range, they'll
vanish from a player's wireless network.
The graphics are improved and compelling. These versions
allow players to capture all of the Pokemon that weren't available
in Ruby and Sapphire versions, which pleases our testers. Once
players complete certain tasks in the LeafGreen and FireRed games,
they are able to trade Pokemon between these new games and
Ruby/Sapphire as well as Pokemon Colosseum. One veteran Pokemon
gamer feels that these new versions are more challenging than the
Ruby and Sapphire editions.
Recommended
for: All Pokemon fans! Children ages
8-13. There are
"battle" themes, but those families who approve of the
Pokemon show will approve of this game.
Why do we
recommend this game? This
game is engrossing and
certainly deep enough to justify the price tag. Pokemon LeafGreen
and FireRed versions are involving games with loads of appeal. Best
of all, the games contain extensive gameplay opportunities.
Slightly more challenging than the Ruby and Sapphire editions.
Both
Pokemon Sapphire and Pokemon Ruby mark the series' entrance to the GameBoy Advance
platform. These are multi-layered and detailed games. The object of the game is to explore the world of
Hoenn,
searching for wild Pokemon to catch, tame, and battle.
Now players can bring two Pokemon into battle
at once (and they can actually help each other out) and they can
enjoy improved
graphics. Best of all, Ruby and Sapphire not only include
many familiar Pokemon creatures known to date, they introduce 100 more.
There are also multiplayer options and a rich trading aspect to
the game, which can be enjoyed only with a link
cable.
What is the difference between
Ruby and Sapphire Versions? As with previous Pokemon games,
certain Pokemon creatures can only be found in one of the
versions. In this case, Ruby's unique Pokemon include Seedot,
Mawile, and Solrock. Additionally, there are some Pokemon common
to both games, but that are rare in one version and common in the
other. For example, Volbeat is hard to find in Ruby yet common in
Sapphire, while Illumise can be easily found in Ruby and not very
common in Sapphire.
Recommended
for: All Pokemon fans! Children ages 6-13. There are
"battle" themes, but those families who approve of the
Pokemon show will approve of this game.
Why do we
recommend this game? This program is engrossing and
certainly deep enough to justify the price tag. Pokemon Ruby and
Sapphire versions are involving games with loads of appeal. Best
of all, the games contain extensive gameplay opportunities.
[For more information, or to buy:
Pokemon Sapphire
at Amazon.com for approximately $19.99 US]
Pokemon
Ruby
Both
Pokemon Sapphire and Pokemon Ruby mark the series' entrance to the GameBoy Advance
platform. These are multi-layered and detailed games. The object of the game is to explore the world of
Hoenn,
searching for wild Pokemon to catch, tame, and battle.
Now players can bring two Pokemon into battle
at once (and they can actually help each other out) and they can
enjoy improved
graphics. Best of all, Ruby and Sapphire not only include
many familiar Pokemon creatures known to date, they introduce 100 more.
There are also multiplayer options and a rich trading aspect to
the game, which can be enjoyed only with a link
cable.
What is the difference between
Ruby and Sapphire Versions? As with previous Pokemon games,
certain Pokemon creatures can only be found in one of the
versions. In this case, Ruby's unique Pokemon include Seedot,
Mawile, and Solrock. Additionally, there are some Pokemon common
to both games, but that are rare in one version and common in the
other. For example, Volbeat is hard to find in Ruby yet common in
Sapphire, while Illumise can be easily found in Ruby and not very
common in Sapphire.
Recommended
for: All Pokemon fans! Children ages 6-13. There are
"battle" themes, but those families who approve of
the Pokemon show will approve of this game.
Why do we
recommend this game? This program is engrossing and
certainly deep enough to justify the price tag. Pokemon Ruby and
Sapphire versions are involving games with loads of appeal. Best
of all, the games contain extensive gameplay opportunities.
[For more information, or to buy:
Pokemon Ruby
at Amazon.com]
Yoshi's
Island: Super Mario Advance 3
This
is a fantastic platform game with broad appeal.
Players
take on the role of Yoshi in this superb and detailed game,
and they actually go "back in time" to return baby
Mario to his parents! Players go through level after level
of fun adventure.
Excellent
replay value and an imaginative story line set this game
apart.
Recommended
for: All children who enjoy adventure-style platform games,
ages 6-up.
Why do we
recommend this game? This
is an imaginative adventure-style program with an involving
story line that seems to go on forever...which means the
game will last. Excellent game with broad appeal.
The only
problem with this game is that there is a bit of an age
mismatch in terms of the appeal of the show and the
challenge of this game. This is best for older fans of the
Hamtaro show! Bijou and Hamtaro need to restore love to
Ham-Ham pairs, like Oxnard and Pepper, collect and learn
Ham-Chats (for example, "bluhoo"=sad), "rubrub"
collected gems, compose and perform "Ham-jams"
(song and dance), play dress-up, and unlock and explore
different worlds in the game. Challenging but rich in
game-play!
Recommended
for: Older fans of the Hamtaro show! Children who enjoy a
challenge, can read, and are old enough to strategize. May
be better for girls because of the theme, but our boy
testers enjoyed the rich gameplay involved.
Why do we
recommend this game? It has more life than most programs
(extensive game-play) and original activities. Too challenging for
young fans of the Hamtaro show, but excellent for children ages
8-up.
