2009 Top Picks – Best Video Games for Preteens

December 21st, 2009 | Nintendo, Sony PS3, children, entertainment, family, games, reviews, video games

To satisfy those of you who rely on our video game recommendations, here are our favorites for 2009.

I’ll provide more detail and artwork soon.

For the Sony PS3:

Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time (Rated E 10+ This is a must-have for the boys on my lists.)

Little Big Planet (This game allows for creativity; the kids can create their own game levels! Don’t be fooled by the cover, it’s best for older kids 10-12.)

Need for Speed: Shift

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And for older kids only:

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (This game is worthwhile for the visuals alone. Look. At. This. Amazing graphics make you feel as if you’re controlling the action of a movie.) *Note: Rated T (Teen) includes swearing and violence

Some people may be surprised that we picked Uncharted 2 as one of our top picks because it includes violence and objectionable language, but we couldn’t write a “Best Games” list without including this game. It’s remarkable. And, believe me, there are far worse games on the market that I won’t ever mention to my readers. This game operates from a third person perspective and is about as far as we’ll go in our house for the action/adventure games. It is, in fact, a bit of a stretch for us, but we marvel at the graphics and game-play. It’s riveting.

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For Nintendo Wii:

NEW SUPER MARIO BROS.!!!!!

We love this game. LOVE it. It’s a Mario game that finally allows for simultaneous multi-player action (for up to four players) — not just collecting stars (as in Super Mario Galaxy). Tons of fun. Your family can learn the benefit of working together versus one player racing ahead of the others (and then killing off everyone else simply because their characters didn’t keep up they didn’t wait for the other characters). Also teaches the value of communication (e.g., “Now wait for me, Billy, or my character loses a life!”). It’s best to realize early that some levels will be beaten much more easily if only one player plays. Did I mention that we love this game?! Get it. It’s great.

MarioKart Wii (with Wii Wheel) (another fun game to play with a group of people)

My Sims Agents

EA Sports Active (and then EA Sports Active: More Workouts)

(get it for your favorite teen or preteen but use it for yourself, too!!)

Lego Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues

and the best little-known Wii game of the year:

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For Nintendo DS (or DSi):

Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (Note: this game is rated E 10+)

Scribblenauts

Scribblenauts allows your kids to live a little of the old classic “Harold and the Purple Crayon” except they’ll write the words and make the object appear (for example, write b-i-k-e and a bike will appear to help you).

Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box