b=Family Game Bundle

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What’s the Story?

Kids and their parents can compete on a level playing field with b=Family Game Bundle, which requires only a television and DVD player instead of a game console or computer. Each game -- The History Channel Family DVD Game: Time Troopers Edition and National Geographic Family DVD Game: Show Me the Wild! Edition -- is housed on a DVD disc and features video clips. Up to four players can answer questions using the DVD's remote control. Players follow the action on the TV screen, which displays the game board, the score, and a reminder about whose turn it is.

In The History Channel Family DVD Game: Time Troopers Edition, families are quizzed about everything from pop culture to ancient history as they become time travelers in a trivia game hosted by comedian John Cleese. National Geographic Family DVD Game: Show Me the Wild! Edition challenges players with brainteasers about the animal kingdom.

Is It Any Good?

Trivia games can be difficult for parents and kids to play together because older players often are more knowledgeable than younger children. These DVD games utilize "Dynamic Leveling" technology that matches the difficulty level of the questions to each player's ability. Each player starts on a different level depending on age, and the difficulty of the questions continues to adjust depending on how well each player is performing.

Family testers loved how easy these games were to use, and that competition among players of different ages works well. Everyone playing learns from the game because explanations follow both correct and incorrect answers. The two games, which are produced by The b Equal Company, are only available online at www.bEQUAL.com. The bundle costs $49.95, but you can buy each game separately for $29.95.