Disney's A Christmas Carol

This surprisingly delightful game is part narrated story, part point-and-click adventure, and part mini-games. Full of ghosts to catch and puzzles to solve, you explore each location until you solve its mystery. If you can’t figure it out, blow into the DS microphone to make glittering stars appear over parts of a static scene where you should tap on the touchscreen. When you solve a puzzle like waking Scrooge up so he can listen to Jacob Marley’s ghost, you'll receive prizes like a Christmas card. Link to DGamer, the company’s social networking Web site, and you can customize your avatar with these prizes. Rounding out the package is a calendar with a puzzle for each day of Advent and full version of the Dickens classic story for you to read. Sure, the game is a little short and the online experience is uninspired. But the design itself makes up for it in generally seamless execution, tons of sou, and an ever-engaging game experience. There’s no bah-humbug here.

Online interaction: The game is connected via Wi-Fi to DGamer, Disney's social networking site. Here, you can trade items you've collected or dress up your avatar. The parent must physically approve becoming a part of DGamer. Add your email address via the DS and then click on a link you receive to register.