Family Fun Video Games

As the average age of gamers has risen throughout the years -- recent research shows the average is now 30 years old -- developers have skewed their emphasis toward adult gamers, filling games with R-rated content. On the other side of the ledger, there are also loads of simplistic, cartoonlike games meant only for children. Largely undeserved in this market squeeze are families, and recent years have revealed a dearth of games kids, teens, parents and even grandparents can enjoy together. This guide refers you to some of the best games for family fun.

Consoles
Mario Party 7 : It's possible to play the seventh iteration of Mario Party against the computer, but doing so defeats the purpose. It's called "Party" for a reason -- join up with Mario and his buddies for zany action in loads of rapidly-paced minigames.	Shrek Super Slam : Now you'll find out how Shrek, Donkey and his other pals blow off steam in between sequels. While the movie-themed Shrek video games have been weak and uninspired, this fighting game unlocks the fun of the animated mayhem. Shrek really knows how to throw a punch, and Donkey is quite good at blocking. Tell your kids to settle their disagreements via this game instead of pulling one another's hair.	Madagascar : The animated 2005 hit was accompanied by a groovin' game adaptation to match. Guide the group of zoo animals stranded in Madagascar as they rediscover their wild side. Fans of the film will notice loads of sly references and nods to the silver-screen counterpart.	Super Smash Bros. Melee : Along with Shrek Super Slam, this is the least violent fighting game you're ever likely to find. Up to four players can engage in cartoonish, exaggerated battles complete with special items and multi-tiered arenas. Several characters from Nintendo's glory days are here to put you and the fam in good cheer.

Handhelds
Mario Party Advance : Mario, Luigi, Daisy and Bowser get together for a board game-driven setup that has players compete in various silly minigames. This is the one to play to find out if grandma is better at whack-a-mole than your 15-year-old daughter.	Peter Jackson's King Kong : Play as either King Kong or Jack Driscoll in this immersive movie adaptation, which was overseen by the director of the 2005 film. The content might be a little scary for youngsters, but this is a rare title both teens and adults will embrace together.	Ultimate Block Party : A PSP puzzler reminiscent of Tetris Attack,  the object is to line up multiple blocks of the same color in order to clear the lines. The action picks up to fierce levels via multiplayer. Of course, that means you'll need multiple PSPs.	Big Brain Academy : A lighter-shaded younger brother of the DS foreruner, Brain Age,  this one stretches out your gray matter via a frenetic barrage of math, logic and memory puzzles. You strive for the heaviest possible "brain weight," which is a cumulative assessment on how smart the game judges you to be.

Computer
The Apprentice : If you're taking the time to play a computer game together with your kids, you may as well use the opportunity to teach them business savvy. The Apprentice offers this via video images of Donald Trump and a collection of minigames that fit the theme of the reality show.	Midway Arcade Treasures Deluxe Edition : What better way to bond with the kiddies than to share the games you grew up with? Take on such classics as NARC, Pit Fighter, Gauntlet II and Mortal Kombat, all included on the same disc.	Pac-Man World 3 : Pac-Man's 3-D adventures rival his classic single-screen outings from back in the day. A side game has one player control Pac-Man while others guide the ghosts around labyrinthes to chase the hero down.	Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire : The blockbuster film comes to vivid life on the PC screen -- the game is also available for all consoles -- thanks to the full participation of the movie cast. Relive Harry's adventures in year four at Hogwarts, casting spells and solving mysteries.

Classic
Anticipation : An NES gem, this gameshow-themed enterprise mixed connect-the-dots with Pictionary. As the computer draws pictures onscreen, the other players make guesses.	Wheel of Fortune : The Pat and Vanna show came to life on the Sega Genesis. Try to identify the letters in the secret words and spin the wheel for big money. Too bad you don't get to keep your winnings.	World Class Track Meet : Compatible with the beloved NES peripheral called the Power Pad,  up to four players jog in place to compete in such track events as the dash, long jump, triple jump and hurdles.	Pac-Man : The brilliant simplicity of Pac-Man refuses to age along with the passing years. Control the circle-shaped yellow figure as he clears mazes and chomps power pellets to get back at the ghosts that are chasing him.

External Links

• GameSpot -- One of the top gaming resources on the net.
• IGN -- Covers video games as well as the rest of the entertainment world.
• Game Informer -- An excellent video game magazine's home page.