Kids Best Video Games's Open Salon Blog

Computer Games for Kids - "Best Of" for 2009-2010

Wed, 7 Oct 2009 18:10:56 -0400

I've been looking into video games on various formats for children, and have found that there is some demand from parents and otherwise shoppers for computer games for kids this year. Although there have been some decent choices in the past, this year I like the lineup much better. =)

Below is a list of the best computer kids games (games that kids enjoy, have high ratings and are appropriate) - for late 2009 and into 2010:

**********************************

1. Nancy Drew - Warnings at Waverly Academy for PC: Nancy Drew games are not "new news" to the computer gaming lineup, and are the absolute favorites of some kids and adults alike. The theme of this particular game? Players (as Nancy) go undercover in a girls' academy to do some investigating on some not so nice activities going on. Nancy works to solve mysteries while being a bit on the sneaky side to not get caught by those who are watching over what's happening at the school. Formats: Windows Vista | XP

Best Shopping: Amazon Games

**********************************

2. Sim City 4 Deluxe Edition for PC: This is a game that has returned from last year's "hot list" and is one of the most enjoyable games ever. Sim City fans love this one and it's the most creative challenges yet. This is not a great choice for young gamers, but for kids who are about 12 and over it's a fun choice and is also a favorite for teens and young adults. Formats: Windows 98 | 2000 | ME | XP

Best Shopping: Amazon Games | eBay auctions and stores

**********************************

3. Zuma's Revenge for PC: Here is a new one - at least to me! =) This game is a sequel to the original Zuma game with a newly evolved world and lots of fun ball blasting and new changes. Per consumer reviews, this is one of the most enjoyable games specifically for the PC. Formats: Windows XP | Vista

Best Shopping: Amazon Games

**********************************

4. Zoo Tycoon Games for PC: These are the games that intrigue me the most and seem to me like they might be the favorites for younger gamers. Players can create their own zoo environments and play the game from a number of different aspects. Very creative and fun for little ones - and "older ones" too! =) Formats: (Varies, depending on the game.)

Best Shopping: Amazon Games | eBay auctions and stores

**********************************

5. Chuzzle Games for PC: These are not really "new" but have maintained a place of their own in the list of best-selling PC games for kids. Very funny and great effects, different modes and characters to play - a true favorite for kids and appears to be a favorite of younger kids too. Formats: Windows XP | 2000 | Me | 98 | Vista

Best Shopping: Amazon Games | eBay auctions and stores

**********************************

One of the above choices will likely be great for this year (2009) or early into 2010 in terms of favorite computer kids games - but if you would like to see more selection, Amazon is the perfect place to look. Here is a link to all of the "kid appropriate" PC games at Amazon:

Computer Games for Kids @ Amazon.com Games

I hope this helps you out in your shopping endeavors this year if you're looking about for some appropriate and fun kids computer games - I have more than a little bit of shopping to do myself, and have a little PC gamer to shop for this year! =)

Kids XBox Games - What to Look For Late 2009-2010

Wed, 7 Oct 2009 18:10:59 -0400

The XBox 360 gaming system has not in the past been well known for it's selection of games for children, but this year there are actually some great kids XBox games available! Here is a list of the top selling XBox games for kids coming into the Christmas season for 2009 and 2010 (as well as being rated for kids - rated "E" for everyone):

*************************************

1. Ghostbusters the Video Game for XBox - I was delighted to see this one in the XBox kids games lineup, and especially in the current top selling position! I honestly never thought I would see this movie theme make a comeback but I'm glad it did. However - the game is about "what happens after..." - what kind of events take place after all the spooks have been handled in Ghostbusters 2? Fun stuff and a great choice for kids. (Note: There is a special "Slimer" edition for this game available as well! =D)

Best Online Shopping: Amazon Games | eBay auctions and stores

*************************************

2. High School Musical 3 for XBox - Here is another game that I haven't seen until I started digging them up this year - fun gaming for little ones who love the High School Musical movies, and there are songs in the game that are featured in all 3 movies. Players can use one of the familiar characters or create a unique one of their own.

Best Online Shopping: Amazon Games | eBay auctions and stores

*************************************

3. Viva Pinata Games for XBox - What an interesting and fun theme for kids on the XBox! Players can create their own gardens and interact with live pinatas. The gardens in the game can be "molded" according to the gamer's decisions. There are two versions of the game - the original and the "Trouble in Paradise" version.

Best Online Shopping: Amazon Games | eBay auctions and stores

*************************************

4. Disney Pure for XBox - My feeling for this game is that it is best for kids who are more experienced gamers and who enjoy some seriously adventurous racing. =) This game is rather amazing for those who would enjoy that type of gaming, but is perhaps not the best choice for younger gamers. Awesome effects and sounds.

Best Online Shopping: Amazon Games | eBay auctions and stores

*************************************

5. Wall-E for XBox - You just gotta love Wall-E, he's about as adorable as they come. This is a great game for younger gamers - simpler and easier to control and is a good introduction to learning how to interact and play on the XBox. Wall-E or EVE can be the characters played, new or familiar environments can be played in.

Best Online Shopping: Amazon Games | eBay auctions and stores

*************************************

As I mentioned above, there have been some fun and appropriate additions in the XBox Kids games selection this year - much better than last year! If you would like to check out some additional XBox games for kids, the best place online I know of to check out what's available is here:

Kids XBox Games @ Amazon games

Happy shopping! =D

PSP Kids Games - Top 5 Best Picks Late 2009-2010

Wed, 7 Oct 2009 18:10:46 -0400

Special info for those who might be on the lookout for some PSP kids games - I did some research to find out what the top rated kids games for the PSP system are, as well as the ones that are much loved by those who play them. =) For 2009-2010, here is the list...

****************************************

1. Sega Genesis Collection for PSP: Here is a sort of "blast from the past" for us gamers who played on the Sega Genesis but is also a good choice in variety and fun gaming for those who have never played them. There is a total of 28 classic games with characters such as Sonic the Hedgehog (my favorite) and Ecco the dolphin - many more.

Best Shopping: Amazon Games | eBay auctions and stores

****************************************

2. Daxter for PSP: This is a returning favorite from last year's PSP Kids Games "hot list" and is truly one of the most enjoyable games for the DS system. Great graphics and a good story line - Daxter busily searching for his friend "Jak" and having some exciting adventures in the meantime.

Best Shopping: Amazon Games | eBay auctions and stores

3. Disney Cars for PSP: For little Disney Cars fans, this is a great game, and has received some nice reviews for the DS version. Characters are quite funny - very much like the ones from the movie and the racing is a blast.

Best Shopping: Amazon Games | eBay auctions and stores

****************************************

4. SpongeBob SquarePants the Yellow Avenger for PSP: This is another favorite returning from the hot sellers last year for those who appreciate the "Bob humor" it's hysterical. Not the best game for very young gamers due to the playing instructions on the screen, but for those kids who can easily read this is a nice choice.

Best Shopping: Amazon Games | eBay auctions and stores

****************************************

5. Sonic Rivals for PSP: There are a couple of versions to choose from with this PSP game for kids - Sonic Rivals and Sonic Rivals 2. The game play starts out light and funny, and moves into more intense and challenging situations.

Best Shopping: Amazon Games | eBay auctions and stores

****************************************

So.... For shoppers of Kids PSP Games, one of the above games should be a good pick - however if you would like to see more games to choose from, the best shopping online I know of to get a good look at what's available is Amazon:

All Kids PSP Games @ Amazon Games

Kids Nintendo DS Games - What are the Top Picks 2009-2010?

Wed, 7 Oct 2009 18:10:07 -0400

As time goes on, the DS games available for youngsters have improved - some however are more appropriate than others! If you're searching or shpping for Kids Nintendo DS Games, here is a list of the top 5 best selling DS games that are not only appropriate for kids, they are highly rated for their features and "funnability". =)

**************************************

1. Mario and Luigi - Bowser's Inside Story for DS: This game is one of the newer Mario games I've seen pop up, and is the hottest seller of the Best DS games for Kids coming into Christmas season. It is unique in that the game can be played from completely different viewpoints - players can even be Bowser striving to keep his domain from being taken over from another villain. =) Fun stuff.

Recommended Shopping: Amazon Games | eBay auctions and stores

**************************************

2. New Super Mario Brothers for DS: Here is a fun one, and is perfect for either new Mario fans or old-timers. This is sort of a "souped up" version of the original Super Mario Brothers and is available in a number of different gaming formats, including the Nintendo DS.

Recommended Shopping: Amazon Games | eBay auctions and stores

**************************************

3. Professor Layton Games for DS: Here is a fun twist on gaming for kids - solve mysteries and puzzles, and more of the same are available by using WiFi - each week for a time after purchasing the game. This is a lovely set of Nintendo DS Kids games - it helps them exercise their "thinker" =)! (lol) There are a couple of different versions of this game.

Recommended Shopping: Amazon Games | eBay auctions and stores

**************************************

4. Mario Kart for DS: This is one that is returning from the "hot list" last year, and is gobs of fun. Plenty of race tracks to choose from, there are even some unique for the DS system. Up to 4 carts at a time can be played - you just gotta love Mario. =)

Recommended Shopping: Amazon Games | eBay auctions and stores

**************************************

5. Fossil Fighters for DS: Of all the DS kids games on the list, I found this one the most intriguing. Kids can clean up dinosaur fossils and bring the creatures back to life. Extremely creative and fun for kids - especially little ones who have a fascination with dinosaurs. (Note - the dinosaurs are called "vivosaurs" in the game.)

Recommended Shopping: Amazon Games | eBay auctions and stores

**************************************

If you have a young Nintendo DS gaming fan that you are shopping for, one of the games from the above list should make a great choice - the proof is in the reviews of the DS Kids games, which for the most part are fabulous!

PS2 Kids Games - Top Picks 2009-2010

Wed, 7 Oct 2009 17:10:29 -0400

Even with the new gaming formats available, the PS2 system is still extremely fun to play - If you are on the lookout for some great PS2 Kids Games for late 2009 or into 2010, here is the list of what are both the top sellers - with high ratings and appropriate for kids:

********************************

1. Kingdom Hearts for PS2 - Kingdom Hearts is one of the most creative video games ever made - it features a sort of "mish mash" of Disney characters combined with Final Fantasy. Amazing, and is again among the tops sellers for kids PS2 games at the end of 2009. Fun stuff and actually rather addictive. =)

Recommended Shopping: Amazon Games | eBay

*********************************

2. Katamari Games for PS2 - There are a couple of great ones here, and I won't bother to try to pick a favorite - they're both fantastic and hilarious! Katamari Demacy and We Love Katamari are both versions of increasingly loved and played games - one of the funniest themes ever with the creation of a huge mass of everything - practically sticking a huge amount of "stuff" together and it continues to get more and more shocking as the game goes along. If you're up for some good laughs, this is an excellent choice.

Recommended Shopping: Amazon Games | eBay

********************************

3. Sonic Mega Collection Plus for PS2 - For those who already love Sonic, these games are a blast. The original games from the Sega Genesis are here, plus a number of others - all the more improved with the play on the PS2 system. Great fun for (us) Sonic the Hedgehog fans! =)

Where to Buy: Amazon Games | eBay

********************************

4. Lego Indiana Jones the Original Adventures for PS2 - Hysterical, challenging - there is almost not enough that I can say about this set of games! Young gamers love them and more experienced gamers as well. These games go through the original Indiana Jones movies and there may be nothing funnier than "Indy" as a Lego character, among the other stars in the lineup. Greeeat games.

Recommended Shopping: Amazon Games | eBay

********************************

5. Wall-E for PS2 - Now - who honestly doesn't love this little guy? The game version of Wall-E allows players to either play as the main character or as EVE, going through similar scenarios to the movie or even further and more outstanding adventures. Great game for even the youngest of gamers.

Recommended Shopping: Amazon Games | eBay

********************************

For this coming Christmas (2009) and beyond, I can tell you that for kids the games given above are pretty much a sure bet.

As a note - you might have noticed that the shopping resources have a familiar theme to them - that's because they truly are the best for prices online - between the resources at Amazon and eBay there is actually nowhere else online you will find PS2 games for kids - for less.