Video Games Handpicked by Our Editors

Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver Versions
Age 7+
4

Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver Versions

Why We Recommend It

It's two games in one. But wait, there's more! A pedometer lets kids rack up points by walking.

Read our full review
Are online games taking over the video and computer game world?

Sometimes it seems like our kids' lives have become one big online game. Unless you check your kids' computer browser, it's hard to know which computer game they're playing and whether or not it's violent or age appropriate. Fortunately, kids still play plenty of Wii, PS3, Xbox, and Nintendo DSI games -- and the really good news is that our reviews offer great information on what to play and what to avoid. Check out our age-by-age recommendations.

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The Daring Game for Girls (Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi, Nintendo Wii)
Parents Need to Know...

that The Daring Game for Girls is a fun and wholesome experience for young girls. It is, however, based on the book, The Daring Book for Girls, that is featured heavily in the game, and if your daughter has not already read the book, she ... read more

Age 8+
The Daring Game for Girls
4
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The Lost Cases of Sherlock Holmes 2 (Mac, Windows)
Parents Need to Know...

that The Lost Cases of Sherlock Holmes 2 sticks closely to the look, feel, and subject matter of the original Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. That means Holmes smokes (as do many other characters) and gets involved in some ... read more

Age 12+
The Lost Cases of Sherlock Holmes 2
5
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Metro 2033 (Windows, Xbox 360)
Parents Need to Know...

Metro 2033 is rated "M" ("Mature") primarily because of the violence and blood, not to mention the many scary moments in the game. This survival horror game that has first person shooter mechanics has many creepy ... read more

No Kids
Metro 2033
3
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Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight (Windows)
Parents Need to Know...

that Command & Conquer 4 is a real-time strategy game that features frequent, futuristic violence. However, it’s seen from a high perspective, there is no blood, and things never get more graphic than a flailing soldier tossed into ... read more

Age 13+
Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight
3
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God of War III (PlayStation 3)
Parents Need to Know...

God of War III is a breath-takingly violent and gory action game. In fact, it's one of the most violent videogames we have ever reviewed. Where some parents allow teens to play M-rated games, this is one that we do not recommend at all in ... read more

No Kids
God of War III
4
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Napoleon: Total War (Windows)
Parents Need to Know...

Napoleon: Total War is a real-time strategy game with some profanity, moderate violence, sexual themes, and open online text chatting. It’s focus is to create an accurate interactive depiction of famous French general Napoleon Bonaparte ... read more

Age 14+
Napoleon: Total War
5
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Bermuda Triangle: Saving the Coral (Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi)
Parents Need to Know...

that Bermuda Triangle: Saving the Coral is a match-three puzzler with a gentle environmental theme about helping coral reefs flourish while protecting them from human and environmental menaces. The content is completely innocuous; this ... read more

Age 8+
Bermuda Triangle: Saving the Coral
3
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Sonny with a Chance (Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi)
Parents Need to Know...

that Sonny with a Chance is based upon the Disney Channel tween series of the same name, and that it is really only fans of that series who will be interested in playing the game. They should also be aware that, like all DS games by ... read more

Age 8+
Sonny with a Chance
3
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Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver Versions (Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi)
Parents Need to Know...

that Pokemon HeartGold and Pokemon SoulSilver are two slightly different versions of the same game. Each version contains some exclusive creatures that kids can "capture" and then trade with friends who also have one of the ... read more

Age 7+
Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver Versions
4
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Diner Dash 5: Boom! (Mac, Windows)
Parents Need to Know...

that Diner Dash 5: Boom! is a downloadable computer game that can be connected to Facebook, allowing players to trade specially-won bonus items through the social networking site. As different parents have some very different opinions of ... read more

Age 9+
Diner Dash 5: Boom!
5
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Calling (Nintendo Wii)
Parents Need to Know...

this game is rated "Teen" more for the scary content than for its violence. Calling has disturbing imagery including weird-looking dolls, mysterious girls with long black hair, dark environments, apparitions, and so on. The ... read more

Age 13+
Calling
2
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Final Fantasy XIII (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
Parents Need to Know...

Final Fantasy XIII is Teen-rated, mostly because the gameplay is combat-heavy. Your party of characters will square off against enemies and engage in a turn-based fights, but with the ability to make some decisions during the battle. ... read more

Age 13+
Final Fantasy XIII
4
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Toy Soldiers (Xbox 360)
Parents Need to Know...

that despite it's kid-friendly-sounding title, Toy Soldiers is an incredibly violent, surprisingly realistic war game. It should be noted that even though the soldiers in the game are meant to be toys (they shed no blood and fall into ... read more

Age 13+
Toy Soldiers
4
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Nancy Drew: The Model Mysteries (Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi)
Parents Need to Know...

that Nancy Drew: The Model Mysteries is a mystery about sabotaging the upcoming marriage between a supermodel and a reality TV star. All of the activities leading up to and even after the marriage are being filmed for reality TV. Ex ... read more

Age 11+
Nancy Drew: The Model Mysteries
4
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Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures (Windows)
Parents Need to Know...

that Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures has cute characters and slapstick comedy that will appeal to kids as young as 4 or 5, but that the writing is aimed at an older audience -- with many jokes that seem squarely aimed at adults. ... read more

Age 10+
Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures
5
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Deca Sports DS (Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi)
Parents Need to Know...

that Deca Sports DS is a completely different game from either of the Deca Sports titles available for the Nintendo Wii. If your children have played the Wii versions and liked them, this DS version is likely to appeal to them as well. ... read more

Age 8+
Deca Sports DS
4
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Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360)
Parents Need to Know...

that Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is an M-rated game, unlike the first game in the series which was rated "T" by the ESRB. The first game in the Bad Company series featured plenty of gunplay, but had no blood and only minor ... read more

No Kids
Battlefield: Bad Company 2
4
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MLB 10: The Show (PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PSP)
Parents Need to Know...

this is a straightforward simulation of Major League Baseball. Players control one of the game's 32 teams to try and lead them to World Series glory. MLB 10: The Show is playable online, a feature Common Sense Media does not recommend to ... read more

Age 9+
MLB 10: The Show
5
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Major League Baseball 2K10 (Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360)
Parents Need to Know...

this is a straightforward simulation of Major League Baseball. Players guide one of 32 teams through games or seasons and World Series glory. The game is playable online, a feature Common Sense Media does not recommend to children under ... read more

Age 9+
Major League Baseball 2K10
4
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SpongeBob's Boating Bash (Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi, Nintendo Wii)
Parents Need to Know...

that SpongeBob's Boating Bash is no ordinary racing game. While some of the events involve crossing a finish line, the vast majority involve crashing your vehicle into those of your opponents. As it is a SpongeBob game, the action is all ... read more

Age 7+
SpongeBob's Boating Bash
3
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Project Runway (Nintendo Wii)
Parents Need to Know...

that Project Runway is based upon a reality TV show of the same name and, as such, becomes a gateway game to wanting to watch that teen-appropriate show. And although that TV show is far from the worst offender in reality-TV-land, it can ... read more

Age 10+
Project Runway
3

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Common Sense Media's game reviews and ratings for all ages are based on child development principles. We give you trustworthy information so you can pick what's best for your family. We may know media, but you're the expert on your kids.

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