Disney Magical World 2

Though not as deep or refined as 3DS life-simulation games meant for a slightly older audience, this adventure should please young Disney fans. Disney Magical World 2 keeps things simple by providing in-game guidance to objectives and new activities, ensuring that kids never get stuck wondering what they need to do. And the huge range of Disney characters we meet -- more than 100 of them, from Scrooge McDuck to Elsa and Anna -- likely will light up the faces of the game's intended audience.

That said, the linearity -- though helpful for kids who haven't played many games -- might eventually become tiresome. While we have freedom to roam around, change our avatar's clothing and decorations, and gather items within the world, it often feels like there's only one way to keep the story moving forward. Plus, load screens are too frequent. They pop up after conversations with nonplayer characters, when you're walking into buildings, or just when you're moving from one small area to the next, resulting in jarring interruptions to the flow of the adventure. Younger kids may not notice it as much, but more experienced players could find themselves sighing in annoyance at all the forced wait times. The upshot is simply that Disney Magical World 2 is a safe choice for Disney's younger fans (assuming they're old enough to read), but it might not be quite as magical for older kids, including tweens.