I bought my kids Mario Kart and we all love it. In fact, we love it so much that it has been one of the more effective discipline tactics used… ever. No Mario Kart is an amazing motivator… at least for kids ages 5-11.

Anyway, I found this short review of the top 3 Wii Racing games. Check it out:

The Sony PlayStation 3 is arguably the most powerful home console ever made and as expected the games at the top end of the scale have not disappointed. With beautiful full HD graphics, compelling stories and some unique experiences, the PS3 has firmly staked it’s place in history as one of the best consoles of all time.

One of the most important and most anticipated game on the PS3 was the ever popular franchise Metal Gear Solid. In it’s fourth iteration on the PS3, the game had huge demand before any details were released and it’s large fan-base were clamoring for information. Released worldwide in June 2008 to critical acclaim the game became the PS3s best selling game in a few short weeks of release.

Metal Gear Solid is a stealth-based action game, heavy on cut scene and a twisting turning plot. It was these last two points which were expanded upon in MGS4, with cut scenes at some points running to over an hour at times and the plot being even more extravagant than previous games. With some of the best graphics ever seen on a home console and a lengthy campaign to boot, head developer Hideo Kojima stated that they nearly ran out of space on the PS3s huge blue ray discs which themselves total up to 50gbs each. However, when playing the game and being immersed in the story and those cut scenes, you can see why.

To all intents and purposes the game lived up the fans and critics high expectations, quickly being denoted as the best of the Metal Gear series and as a must buy for any self respecting PS3 owner.

A game which is completely at the opposite end of the scale from MGS4 is that of Pixel Junk Eden, a game available only on the Playstation Network. A game of simple graphics and gameplay but in some ways more addictive and ultimately satisfying than it’s “on disc”, big budget cousins. In the game players control a small creature called a Grimp who using a seris of jumping and swinging skills must collect objects called “spectra”, essentially pollen to grow flowers from seeds dotted around each garden or level. The game is played on a two dimensional plane and each level is simple yet beautiful in it’s art direction, each garden becoming more colorful as more flowers are grown.

The game shows how amazing simple and affordable games can be, and also what a great delivery system the PSN and its Xbox 360 and Wii equivalents can be for games like this.

One game on the PS3 has shown how to tell a compelling and unique story the best, and that game is BioShock. Set in the underwater city of Rapture, you play a airplane crash victim who finds his way there out of sheer luck, or in some cases you would call it misfortune. As the game progresses you are led through different areas of rapture by a distant voice on your radio located somewhere else in Rapture and through logs picked up along the way with chilling stories of what happened in the now derelict city.

One of the most striking things about BioShock is it’s amazing art direction. With a 1950s art deco look, the world of Rapture is stunning and at the same time incredibly creepy and atmospheric, and that’s before you meet any enemies. Most of the “bad guys” in BioShock are deformed or mutated citizens of the once glorious habitat under the sea, but your main and most dangerous foes are those of the “Big Daddies”. The game features a substance called ADAM which is in most cases gained from either rescuing or killing creatures called “Little Sisters”, who are protected by the near indestructible “Big Daddies”.

BioShock is a game of twists and turns which will keep you on your toes all the way to the end, and the PS3 edition is set to have new downloadable content released to further the enjoyment of the game. Careful though… it’s rated M for Mature.

The Nintendo DS with it’s innovative stylus control and touch screen technology has resulted in many different types of games and even new genres being developed over the course of the past 3 years. Many of the best games on the DS make full use of it’s many features.  There is one game that doesn’t, but happens to be the one of the best on the diminutive system.

New Super Mario Bros. (NSMB) was released in June 2006 and has been one of the biggest selling titles to this day. Going back to a two dimensional format, the game saw Mario again trying to save the princess, this time from Baby Bowser, using a host of old and new powers. The game stands out because of it’s use of two dimensional backgrounds with three dimensional characters, creating a unique visual style. Like many of the other Mario games, 2D and 3D alike, your charged with traveling through different themed worlds, from snow to desert and forest to lava, defeating boss characters and destroying their castles. One thing which has changed from Mario’s newer games is that NSMB didn’t request that you collect specific numbers of stars, instead harking back to the original Mario Bros. game on the NES with Mario having to jump to a flag and hopefully set off fireworks at the end of the level.

It is this mixture of old and new which makes NSMB such a special game and even though it can be completed in a few sittings, you’ll be tempted to go back and enjoy it again and again, such is the unabashed fun of the game. Featuring the normal bright colors and signature sound effects, this game (developed by Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto) is perhaps one of the purest and best Mario and indeed platforming experiences on any system out today.

One of the most important games on the Nintendo DS since launch, and helping it become the global phenomenon that it has become is Dr. Kawashima’s Brain Training. A simple yet incredibly compelling titles which shows that it doesn’t take the millions of pounds like some console games to create something truly unique and special. The “game” revolves around you beginning with a test to check your “brain age”. Basically the answers you give to the test and how quickly you do it determins how close the software believes your brain to be to the ideal brain age of 20. On most first plays, brain ages reach into the upper 40s and 50s, even higher if your not used to the interface but the game doesn’t let you get discouraged, in fact, it actively prompts you to start training your brain!

Each day you’ll be welcomed by the friendly tron-like face of Dr. Kawashima and invited to do various exercises to train up your brain. These range from word games like reading aloud and maths test training your quick thinking numerical skills. Each exercise is quick and fun, and odd as it sounds, it does feel like it is working. On completing your tests you get to put a stamp on your virtual diary and have the chance to take another brain age test hoping to better your score each time. Aside from the tests there is also a fully functioning sudoku game too with hundreds of different puzzles at different levels of difficulty, good for a change of pace and they can be saved, making it perfect for quick train or bus journeys.

Brain Training has been the biggest success story from a whole heap of Nintendo DS success stories and is the premier game used in the huge amount of celebrity advertising. If you haven’t played this game and don’t believe the hype, please don’t be discouraged, Brain Training is one of the greatest pieces of software you can get. It may not be a game in the normal sense but it far surpasses in pure enjoyment and interest than many other regular games out there.

For all that the DS has going for it, one of the main thing is the amazingly different games on offer, one of the best of these games is the film noir inspired Hotel Dusk: Room 215. The story features an ex-police officer, now traveling salesman on the hunt for his ex partner who betrayed him. His work and indeed his search leads him to a small hotel in the middle of nowhere called Hotel Dusk, and it is here that the story takes place.

Featuring an art style not seen since A-ha’s “Take On Me” music video, the wonderful animation and style captures the feel of the whole piece. Lots of text does make it a task sometimes getting through some of the conversations but it’s well worth it, as the plot is top notch and some of the puzzle’s within the game are the most ingenious seen in a video game in quite some time. The game may be simple, and a little difficult to get into but once you do it turns out to be a very rewarding experience, with well thought out and developed characters and near mouse like controls.

The Xbox 360 is best known for it’s fast paced first and third person shooters and action titles and one the best of these such games is Gears Of War. Now with a sequel (Gears of War 2), this Epic Games developed sci-fi blockbuster took the 360 to new levels in graphics, gameplay and overall atmosphere.

The game is set in a post apocalyptic earth (yes I know…), where the human race fight a losing battle against a terrifying race called the Locust who have lived under the earth, waiting for their time to strike. Taking up the mantle of “hero” is Marcus Fenix – a previously imprisoned soldier released on special orders to lead his team and take the fight to the Locust Horde. Standard sci-fi shooter plot aside, Epic have created a game that feels like playing through some multi million dollar hollywood action thriller.

Using the Unreal 3 Engine the game has some of the greatest visuals ever seen on the 360 and any other consoles till now, with great special effects such as blood spattering on the screen and huge draw distance. Other great touches include the shaky cam effect when using the sprint button and special use of the Y-button to highlight specific objects and basically “cool” things on screen. The visual style is carried through every section of the game from opening menu to final cut-scene making the game universe feel real and substantial.

With this game Epic managed to create one of the most important and loved franchises on the system, only surpassed by the likes of Halo.

A complete opposite to Gears is the bright and fun world of Viva Piñata. A game featuring brightly colored types of Pinata with confectionary based names doesn’t seem like the most obvious choice for the average 360 owner, but as an Xbox junkie, I would recommend Viva Piñata to anyone. The game places you in the role of gardener in charge of a plot of bare land. Using spades, seed and watering cans you will create your own gardens to lure in different types of Piñata. Each different type has it’s own set of requirements such as a pool of water, plants or even a certain amount of another pinata for food!

During your tenure as gardener you’ll come up against lots of different threats and problems like bad, or sour pinatas or just the fact that you put two of you pinatas together that don’t get on. After a while the game can get quite manic and fairly difficult, but an intuitive dial menu system keeps all needed tools to hand and the different colors and art style keep everything standing out and easy to place. In case your wondering, yes the Piñatas can have children, but for those with young children don’t worry there’s no x-rated material hidden away in this game. When two Piñatas get together they simply have a quick love dance and then a baby Piñata is born.

A great game for all ages and of people of all persuasions, Viva Piñata is fun and easy enough in the beginning for kids and depending on how you play can end up fast paced and difficult for the more mature gamer.

If sci-fi isn’t your thing, and the idea of managing a garden full of sweet filled animal doesn’t float your boat, perhaps you’d enjoy something a bit more knights in shining armor and with a bit more freedom, the world of Oblivion might be for you. Number 4 in the Elder Scrolls series from Bethesda, Oblivion gives players the freedom to roam around in an amazingly rendered world filled with monsters and quests. The game is so free that, if you don’t feel like doing the main quest or the storyline doesn’t grab you straight away you don’t have to, you are completely free. Horses can be bought or stolen, caves can explored, towns robbed and pillaged or you can simply wander around and explore the world.

The game starts with you as a convict in the imperial prison who somehow gets mixed up with the king, given a mysterious prophecy to fulfill and sent on your merry way. Through this opening sequence in the sewers and dungeons beneath the prison you’ll decide on your characters skills and class, eventually learning the rules of the game along the way. Once this is complete, as I say your free to do what you want, although there are limits. For some reason the guards are incredible at catching you out for crimes and you can find yourself in a very difficult dungeon with not much hope of getting back out as the games quests don’t level with you.

Oblivion is a fantastic game which lends itself perfectly to the Xbox cannon along with many others and many different genres and will fit in anyone’s collection just fine.

The Wii
, as you may have noticed is the absolute dream for families everywhere that want to play games together. Simple controllers and an easy set means that you can be switched on and playing a fun game in under a minute and the variety of family friendly games is staggering. With Nintendo’s ethos for the Wii firmly set to be suitable for all ages from 5 to 105, it’s not a surprise that the third party publishers have followed the same suit.

Some of the best best games to play are Nintendo’s own efforts such as Wii Sports, Wii Fit
and the recently released Wii Music. Each is fun, bright and easy to get the hang of right away, using simple motion controls for almost every action. The good thing about these games and many of the other’s to be mentioned is that they are as much fun for adults and grandparents to play, even without the kids!

On the third party side of things, one of the best games comes from a somewhat unusual source. Stephen Speilberg, ace Hollywood director, has put his hand into creating on of the best family games on the market – Boom Blox. With a basic concept similar to Jenga but so much more, Boom Blox is easy to pick and play but as with most good games, is hard to master.

Another, more left field option, this time from Canadian developers Ubisoft, is Rayman Raving Rabbids. A fast paced, mini-game filled, over the top type of game featuring mad rabbits setting Rayman various challenges. All of these games are fun and again easy to pick up and play. Still with Rayman, the sequel to Raving Rabbids, Rayman Raving Rabbids 2, will make use of the Wii Balanced board bundled with Wii Fit and will be used in an ingenious way. Your butt. Yes, you control various mini-games with your butt in the same fast paced and fun environment. Obviously there is an option to just use the normal Wii remote controls, but I believe if you ask anyone, young or old if they’d like to control a game with their butt, the answer would be pretty unanimous.

For a more traditional family gaming experience, look no further than the LEGO game series. Already in it’s third edition, you now have the choice of either LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga, LEGO Indiana Jones or LEGO Batman. These games bring top class platform and exploration gameplay to fore, and whole movie scripts and scenes played out all in glorious LEGO brick. With three great franchises behind these games there’s a lot to love about them, from recreating the battle of Hoth in Star Wars to running away from “that” boulder in Indiana Jones. Be warned however, that as soon as you have put your kids to bed you’ll be up playing this yourself as the hundreds of unlockable characters and items will keep you coming back for more.

With that said, the Nintendo Wii is the platform of choice for families, and, if you are worried about a games content make sure to check the PEGI rating on the box, or ask one of those friendly game store clerks.

The vast majority of games on the Xbox 360 are aimed at the late teen, early 20s male market, however Microsoft and its third party developers have been working hard to diversify the available options. Obviously there are numerous titles out there aimed at children, such as the animation movie tie ins and mini game selections. These however aren’t usually up to much and to pick a really good game you need to shop around a bit. But that’s where this brief guide comes in.

The first game to look at is aimed at the younger children’s market and is based on the popular gaming and kids TV show Viva Piñata. This is infact a series of mini games, entitled “Viva Piñata Party Animals” and it does exactly what it says on the tin. Featuring all the characters from the television show including fudgehogs, fizzlybears and horstachios it’s sure to keep young children enthralled with it’s bright colors and simple play structure. The game consists of a selection of games to participate in under the guise of the Party Animals Championship Challenge, with characters aiming to be crowned top pinata.

The game can be played with up to four players either in one room or on Xbox Live and is full of good-natured fun for all.

The gameplay, graphics, sound and presentation is all top notch as you would expect from one of Rare and Microsoft’s collaborations and will no doubt be a great to spend some fun time with the kids.

A game aimed at older children and young adults alike, or at least those who possess a good amount of dexterity is Rock Band. You’ve probably seen the advertisements and think that playing a set of plastic instruments looks a bit silly and pointless, but as soon as you get started in the game you’ll be hooked. Players get the chance to play together as a band or against each other on either drums, guitar or vocals and can even design and personalize their own characters. Obviously the game does take some skill at the higher difficulty levels, but is still wholly enjoyable on the easiest setting.

The price may seem a bit steep but you do get a lot of kit in the box, and they are all quite sturdily put together, so perhaps you’ll need to make this a joint birthday and Christmas present.

Other games which might not on first look seem like normal family titles, but are in fact suitable for all ages are the many different sports games on offer on the 360. Covering many different sports including football, soccer, hockey, basketball and more there really is something for everyone. Nearly every game has the ability to go through a career or league mood with your favorite team, and what could be better or more beautiful than a family playing their way through from pre-season to superbowl in Madden NFL 09. Although if that’s not your thing then each game has a comprehensive versus mode and many others besides.

The 360 may not have the normal family titles you recognize from the other systems, but does give a unique play experience and is probably best suited to older families who like a good bit of competition.