November 2006
| Video games Here's the list of tested video games, in order of kids' preference |
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NEW SUPER MARIO BROS video game for Nintendo DS and DS Lite game systems: $35 |
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| What it is: A game cartridge spawned from the classic video game that was created for the original Nintendo system. You can wirelessly
play with multiple players who have DS systems. For ages: Everyone What's cool about it: Play is more advanced than the original Super Mario Brothers, and during testing the game still came out as a favorite among kids. Players who link wirelessly from other DS systems still need to download the information from the game cartridge. What's not so cool: The cartridge can only be used with the Nintendo DS or DS Lite player, sold separately. What the kid testers said: This was a favorite toy among kid testers. "The graphics are good and it's fun to play," one said. Other comments: Appealed to boys more than girls. The instruction manual has excellent details on how to play. |
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VTECH V. FLASH CD LEARNING SYSTEM with Wacky Race on Jumpin' Bean Island: $100 |
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| What it is: Video game system focused on learning. They call it "edutainment"--a claim that an educational curriculum is woven seamlessly
into game-play, so that while kids are having fun finishing the race or saving the world, they're also learning. Also plays
music CDs. For ages: 6 and up What's cool about it: Incorporates video game-style play with many different curriculums in each V. Disc. Each game focuses on a different discipline, such as math, spelling, or encyclopedia knowledge. The games include increasing levels of difficulty, so kids can progress as they learn. What's not so cool: Most kids didn't play with it for very long. What the kid testers said: "It's kind of boring and needs better graphics." Other comments: Requires additional remote for two-player action. Additional games sold separately. |
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HYPERSCAN GAME SYSTEM by Mattel with X-Men included: $70 |
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| What it is: New hybrid game system where players scan special character cards to enhance their video game battles. The system includes
a console, one game controller, X-Men video-game disc, and six X-Men game cards. Scan, battle, and re-scan cards to add power
and customize your game. For ages: Teens (because of violent content) What's cool about it: The kids liked fighting each other in battles. It's like traditional combat games, but requires the HyperScan game cards. Kids who like power cards and video games might find this to be a nice mix of both. What's not so cool: Includes only one controller, so you'll need an additional controller for $20. Scanning cards is annoying and sometimes doesn't work. What the kid testers said: This game was fun when it worked. But the kids said it took too long to load the games and, even worse, they had trouble scanning the correct cards to get the game to load. Other comments: Additional "Booster Packs" ($9.50 each) of playing cards are required to expand game play. Additional games ($20 each) and controller sold separately. |
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BRAIN AGE video game for Nintendo DS and DS Lite game systems: $20 |
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| What it is: A game cartridge that claims to train your brain. Contains math and reading challenges designed to improve how quickly you
think. It also uses voice recognition for some of the games. However, according to Dr. Ryuta Kawashima, a neuroscientist from
Japan who specializes in brain imaging, playing typical video/computer games does not engage a large portion of the brain. For ages: Everyone What's cool about it: A lot of kids didn't give it a chance, since playing "Super Mario Bros" had more action. Some of the older kids, ages 9 and up, found it exciting to think they were getting smarter by playing this video game. What's not so cool: The cartridge can only be used with the Nintendo DS or DS Lite player, $130, sold separately. What the kid testers said: Even though it was a low-interest toy, some kids really did like it. Said one tester, "It's so fun to learn how fast your brain goes." Other comments: It also includes Sudoku, a numerical variation on a crossword puzzle. |
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