Just like board games, video games are perfect for playing together as a family. Well, OK, so the latest blood-and-gore-filled shooter probably isn't, but despite what you might read in the papers, there are plenty of family-friendly games that are ideal for those evenings in with nothing to do.
Most of these games include multiplayer options, so with enough controllers, more than one of your brood can join in the action. Also, a majority of them support cooperative gameplay, so that participants can work together rather than fight each other. Maybe that'll reduce those bouts of sibling rivalry -- hey, anything's possible.
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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
A solid bet for little witches and wizards, this game is based on the book and recent movie. It really looks the part, too. With broomstick riding levels, underwater sections, and even a duel with the series' uber-villain, Lord Voldemort, the spellcasting action is varied and the game's odd puzzle section will get young minds working overtime. You can also play with a couple of friends, each taking one of the story's three main characters, and work your way through the whole game.
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Atari Flashback 2.0
How's this for a blast from the past? The Flashback 2 retails for under $40 and comes loaded with 40 classic games from the '80s. If you're looking for a particular favorite, you'll probably find it on the list, which includes Pong, Asteroids, Yars' Revenge, Lunar Lander, and the timeless Pitfall. Coming complete with an authentically retro wood grain finish and two controllers, it's a complete family entertainment system.
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Super Mario Strikers
Mario and friends get stuck into soccer this year. More realistic interpretations of Nintendo character favorites like Bowser and Princess Peach are the order of the day, but the gameplay is far from realistic and we mean that in a good way. Simplified rules, lots of power-ups to collect, and a fun-focused attitude add up to a recipe for good, clean family entertainment.
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LEGO Star Wars
Lightsabers at the ready! This unlikely sounding crossover is set in a world where everything -- the game's Jedi stars, the enemies, the levels -- is made out of LEGO. This actually turns out to be a cute and friendly way of presenting the lightsaber fights, where dismemberment simply becomes breaking opponents into smaller LEGO pieces. Plug in a second controller and a friend can jump into and out of the game at will, either joining you to defeat the dark side or taking you on in an impromptu fight to the death. LEGO Star Wars's cheerful approach and light-hearted tone make it a very easy game to like.
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The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe
Far from a quick and cheap knockoff of a video game, this year's big holiday movie has produced a surprisingly high-quality cross-platform offering. It's actually from the same developer as LEGO Star Wars and shares that game's easy-going co-operative multiplayer approach. Fans of the movie will be delighted to open this come Christmas, and with luck, they'll still be engrossed when New Year rolls round.
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Mario Kart DS
This conversion of the Nintendo classic is this year's hottest gift for the DS, and anyone who played the Mario Kart titles on older consoles is bound to be delighted at this trip down memory lane. For the uninitiated, Mario Kart looks like a simple kart racer, but includes a set of vicious power-ups and weapons that can be used to attack other racers. The DS version combines all the good points of the previous games into one, and tops it off with wireless multiplayer over the Internet. It's beautifully done.
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EyeToy: Kinetic
Who'd have thought that playing video games could make you lose weight? Eyetoy: Kinetic comes with an Eyetoy -- a compact video camera, mounted on top of your TV -- which projects an image of your body onto the TV screen and lets you interact with your personal virtual trainer. Workout sessions include warm-ups, punching and kicking activities, conventional physical jerks, and even exercises to focus your mind. It's a marvelously creative use of technology and has the potential to help you stay healthy into the bargain.
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We Love Katamari
Perfect for young and old, male and female, and experienced and novice alike, the allure of rolling things up into a ball is universal. This bizarre, imaginative, and cute Japanese puzzle game combines against-the-clock arcade gameplay with a unique, plasticky look and a soundtrack that's more infectious than bird flu. Fire this one up on Christmas afternoon and even the most turkey-crammed of revelers won't be able to resist it.
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Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix
Well, it probably had to happen at some point. Having appeared in just about every conceivable sport at one time or another, Mario's turning his hand to Dance Dance Revolution this year. Coming complete with a dance pad controller, you too can dance along with Mario to remixes of tunes from past Nintendo games. With the difficulty level set low, it's probably a bit easy for dedicated DDR fans, but should be just right for younger gamers. It also makes a great workout -- and what better way to start an exercise routine?
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