Top Picks - Video Games for Tweens

Updated 1.27.08 (see below for new info about Super Smash Bros. Brawl)!!

As summer winds down and we conclude that our kids have played many more video games than we allow during the school year, our family decided to put together a list of games that we love to play.

We’re hoping this will help readers who are a bit overwhelmed by the myriad choices. If you want to buy a gift for someone and have no idea what to get, our list will help narrow down your options.

So…

Here it is!

The first annual Top Video Games for Tweens (on 4 platforms).

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SONY PLAYSTATION (PS2):

(I know, it’s not the PS3. Sorry, I can’t advise you about the PS3 because our family opted to buy the Wii, not the PS3. And a lot of people agreed with us, y’know…)

–Kingdom Hearts 2

–Kingdom Hearts 1

Note: Both of the Kingdom Hearts titles may be hard to find. They’re a bit obscure but well worth it. I had never heard of them until a game store employee recommended them. I was initially skeptical because they were out of the mainstream, but my kids absolutely loved them both! These would be good for kids who have most of the well known titles, and you need something unusual. When they see that it involves Disney characters, some older tweens may be skeptical. If so, just get them started. After they see what the game is really all about, they’ll likely be hooked.

–NBA 2K8

–Katamari Damacy

–We Love Katamari

–Sing Star Pop

–Karaoke Revolution: American Idol

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NINTENDO GAMECUBE: (perhaps soon to be obsolete?!)

–Luigi’s Mansion

(this is an older game, but is now a classic)

–Paper Mario

–The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker

–Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy

–Super Monkey Ball 2

–Super Smash Bros Melee

(Note: this game can be hard to find, because it’s an older game, but most boys love it)

Updated note: On December 20, Target had about a dozen copies of Super Smash Bros Melee.

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NINTENDO DS:

–UPDATE!! New top pick title for DS: Drawn to Life

–New Super Mario Bros

–Kirby Squeak Squad

–Dragon Quest Rocket Slime

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and finally, the top picks for

NINTENDO Wii:

–UPDATE!! New top pick for Wii: Super Mario Galaxy

Check out this video!

Trust me, you have to play this Mario game.

It’s great!! It’s a far cry from Pong!! I love playing it and even love just watching my kids play it! In fact, I think any parent who doesn’t usually play video games should try this one. What’s not to like? C’mon…find that inner child and have some fun! If there’s only one video game you try, make it this one!

Okay, well, at least watch this video:

UPDATE!!! * See my post where I reviewed this title, Super Mario Galaxy, on my old site, BMG Mom’s Reviews

–Guitar Hero 3

–NBA Live ‘08

--Madden NFL ‘08

–Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

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UPDATE!! -- Here are some recently released titles on NINTENDO’s Wii:

–Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Nov 6 for 49.99)

–Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Nov 6 for 49.99)

and, then, of course, the title that’s supposed to knock our socks off:

–Super Smash Bros. Brawl (newsflash - this title now expected to be released March 9, 2008!! — for 49.99)

UPDATE (1.27.08): Watch a great interview (with a little preview) by Koda from KidConfidence by clicking here.

Thank you www.vgboxart.com and www.amazon.com for this early cover art!