Handpicked by Our Editors

MySims Agents (Wii)
Age 8+
5

MySims Agents (Wii)

Why We Recommend It

Cool secret-agent sim challenges kids to solve entwined mysteries. Nifty spy gadgets help players outwit adversaries.

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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Tropico 3 (Windows)
Parents Need to Know...

that Tropico 3 is a city building simulation game in which the player takes on the role of a Caribbean dictator who can be either a real personality -- such as Fidel Castro or Che Guevara -- or a character of their own creation. While the ... read more

Age 15+
Tropico 3
4
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LEGO Battles (Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi)
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a beginner's real-time strategy (RTS) game featuring mild violence. Tiny characters hack at and shoot enemies and buildings with melee and projectile weapons, but everything is so small that it's difficult to make out what's ... read more

Age 7+
LEGO Battles
3
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Battlestations: Pacific (Windows, Xbox 360)
Parents Need to Know...

this game is rated "Teen" primarily for its portrayal of violence -- it's a World War II fighting game. Players can shoot down planes, destroy ships, pummel tanks, but most of this combat happens from far away, not closeup. ... read more

Age 13+
Battlestations: Pacific
4
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Patapon 2 (PSP)
Parents Need to Know...

that this game's primary focus is tribal battles. That said, the fighting is fairly tame -- all we see are silhouettes of googly-eyed men throwing spears and shooting arrows at large animals. There is no blood or gore. Also note that this ... read more

Age 10+
Patapon 2
5
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Empire Total War (Windows)
Parents Need to Know...

this game is the latest in a series of Total War games. The game features two types of gameplay, a turn-based section where diplomacy, resource allocation, and army building rule – and a real time battle mode for both land and sea ... read more

Age 13+
Empire Total War
5
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New Play Control! Pikmin (Nintendo Wii)
Parents Need to Know...

this game -- designed by Mario and Zelda creator Shigeru Miyamoto -- contains very minor animated violence as you can instruct your Pikmin creatures to attack an enemy (which basically consists of jumping on it). There is no other ... read more

Age 8+
New Play Control! Pikmin
4
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Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon (Nintendo DS)
Parents Need to Know...

that Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon contains serious themes. Though its animated violence is mild, there is much talk of war, death, and revenge. What's more, if one of the player's characters perishes, he will remain dead for the rest of the ... read more

Age 12+
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon
5
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Valkyria Chronicles (PlayStation 3)
Parents Need to Know...

that this is an emotionally mature game that eschews simple "war is good" or "war is bad" messages in favor of a more thoughtful and philosophical message. The main character, Welkin, explains that war is necessary by ... read more

Age 14+
Valkyria Chronicles
5
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Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization (Windows)
Parents Need to Know...

that this game about the colonization of the Americas is historically accurate and informative enough to be used as a supplementary learning tool for older kids interested in finding out more about the settling of the New World. Its ... read more

Age 10+
Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization
4
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Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution (Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3)
Parents Need to Know...

that this game is a streamlined, console version of Sid Meier's Civilization strategy games, which have, until now, only been available for PCs. Though the game doesn't accurately replicate the rise of real world civilizations, it does ... read more

Age 10+
Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution
4
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The Political Machine 2008 (Mac/Windows)
Parents Need to Know...

that this game is a simulation that can teach families the ins and outs of the political system in the USA. Both Republican and Democratic parties are represented here with current members, as well as party members from years past. The ... read more

Age 11+
The Political Machine 2008
4
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Sins of a Solar Empire (Windows)
Parents Need to Know...

that this game is most suitable for older teens who are interested in complex strategy games. It shows ships and space structures exploding, but no bodies or personal violence. Language concerns should be minimal. read more

Age 12+
Sins of a Solar Empire
3
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Worms: A Space Oddity
Parents Need to Know...

that this game is the latest in the long-running Worms franchise, which features small worms firing rockets and throwing grenades at one another in fully destroyable two-dimensional environments. The violence is pretty much non-stop, but ... read more

Age 10+
Worms: A Space Oddity
3
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Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions (PSP)
Parents Need to Know...

that combat is a crucial component of this game, but that it's turn-based so that while you plan it, you don't directly participate in it. The battle animations are not overly graphic. The game offers a compelling fantasy world with loads ... read more

Age 11+
Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions
4
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Advance Wars: Days of Ruin (Nintendo DS)
Parents Need to Know...

that this is the most mature game yet in the Advance Wars franchise. While all of the games in the series focus on war, this is the darkest of the bunch, featuring a world that has been laid to waste by a near-extinction meteor shower and ... read more

Age 10+
Advance Wars: Days of Ruin
4
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Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn (Nintendo Wii)
Parents Need to Know...

that this game involves mild but frequent fantasy battles. While the violence is relatively tame, characters who perish remain dead for the rest of the game -- a significant and potentially unsettling departure from most games. The high ... read more

Age 11+
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
4
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Jeanne D'Arc (PSP)
Parents Need to Know...

that this game is based on the life of Jeanne D'Arc but takes exceptional liberties with recorded events. Numerous references are made to God and heaven, and Jeanne believes God is the "Heavenly Voice" that guides her to take up arms ... read more

Age 12+
Jeanne D'Arc
5
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Galactic Civilizations II Gold Edition (Windows)
Parents Need to Know...

that kids will see battle sequences showing laser shots and explosions from a third-person perspective. Larger space battles are shown in a cinematic-style sequence, but the player is an observer and not a participant. The game has plenty ... read more

Age 10+
Galactic Civilizations II Gold Edition
4
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Civilization 4 (Windows)
Parents Need to Know...

that this game doesn't contain much objectionable content, but it is a challenging game that may be more enjoyable for tweens and teens. The game encourages strategy and teaches some history, politics, and civics. Parents should note that ... read more

Age 10+
Civilization 4
5
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The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-Earth (Windows)
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a battle game but it's about strategy more than anything else. Yes, it's all fighting but as T games go, this one is less bothersome than many -- no blood, no close-ups. It's easy enough for inexperienced kids to get hooked, ... read more

Age 11+
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-Earth
5
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WarCraft III/WarCraft III: The Frozen Throne (Windows)
Parents Need to Know...

that although the ESRB rates the games as Teen games, they truly split the line between a game for teens and a more mature audience. Considering the amount of violence, the dark nature of the games, and concerns with language and sexual ... read more

No Kids
WarCraft III/WarCraft III: The Frozen Throne
2

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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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