1. Boom Blox Bash Party (Wii)
EA
BOOM BLOX Bash Party, from EA in collaboration with Steven Spielberg, asks you to throw, launch, sling and lob special balls at block towers. Knock down the blocks to earn points. BOOM BLOX Bash Party has easy-to-learn game play for the youngest family members and simple rules for the oldest. Small kids may not be able to complete some of the levels, but they'll have fun trying. Better still, the multi-player puzzles are fun to figure out together. Once you finish the built-in games, you can download some very creative user-created content.
BOOM BLOX Bash Party is available on the Wii and is rated E for Everyone.
2. World of Goo
Photo Courtesy of Brighter Minds Media
World of Goo still stands out as one of the more innovative, creative and even somewhat educational games out there. The premise of the game is to collect small goo balls by building them into towers, bridges and other structures. The world itself adheres to some very strict laws of physics, so the game can be truly puzzling. Young kids won't be able to solve the puzzles on their own, but they'll find the goo balls endearing. My three year old loves the game, as does my husband, sister-in-law, father-in-law and a number of friends.
World of Goo is available for Mac, PC and Wii (WiiWare) and is rated E for Everyone.
3. Peggle Nights
Peggle Nights is a puzzle game that's challenging enough for adults and cute enough for the kids. This is a nice one for parents to enjoy with younger family members. They'll have fun watching the pegs disappear and the celebration that happens when you complete a level. Peggle Nights even engages my easily-distracted two-year-old.
Peggle Nights is available for PC, Mac and DS and is rated E for Everyone. *The link above is for the download version.
4. LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga
LEGO Star Wars is simply fun. This version includes the original game and the sequel along with some new content. The LEGO series of games are appealing for family games because they have familiar story lines and characters that just can't die. Sure, you may lose a few LEGO bricks here and there, but they regenerate. Some levels may challenge younger children and players who aren't as comfortable with game controls, but you can always call on your resident video game expert for help. The multi-player option (where available) is a great way to engage in family play time.
LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga is available for for Wii, PS3, XBox 360, PC and Nintendo DS, but I highly recommend playing it on a full-size console. It is rated E10+.
5. deBlob (Wii)
Photo Courtesy of PriceGrabber
deBlob is a quirky little game that asks you to restore color to a world that has been drained by the evil I.N.K.T. Corporation and free the imprisoned citizens. I know, it doesn't sound like much, but it's actually a lot of fun. Some of the challenges are frustrating, even for more serious gamers, but you can by-pass them if it stops being fun. As with most of the other games, very young kids may not be able to complete the game, but this is another that is enough fun that they won't care. Watching the town suddenly come alive with color is fun in and of itself.
deBlob is available for the Wii and is rated E for Everyone.
6. The Beatles: Rock Band
Photo Courtesy of PriceGrabber
There is something about the idea of jamming together as a family that makes me smile. The Beatles: Rock Band is chock full of familiar songs so your family can "Come Together" to perform. Better still, you can each play a different part... guitar, drums or bass. You can even sing, eliminating the need for understanding the controllers that can be a hurdle for casual game play. The game requires the use of special controllers, but it will work with any of the similar guitar, drum or mic controllers on the market.
The Beatles: Rock Band is available for the Wii, PS3 or XBox 360. It is rated T for Teen due to mild lyrics and tobacco reference.
