Xbox Solution:
Family Games - Really
With all the writing we’ve done about different genres and how they relate to the family I bet you would have never guessed there is actually a genre labeled “Family” games. Well, there is! And, we’ll be covering that very genre for you in this issue. For the most part the games that fall into the Family genre are rated E (for everyone), with a couple of exceptions. Some of the games also split genres, falling into more than one category, so you might see us cover a game or two here that you might think are in the Action genre, and while they probably do, they just also happen to also be in the Family genre as well.
Enough of my mindless babble, let’s get to the games!
Barbie™ Horse Adventures™ Wild Horse Rescue™
The first ever Barbie game for the Xbox®, Horse Adventures has you helping Barbie and her friends find some missing horses lost from a local riding school. It’s an action-packed 3-D adventure for all ages. You’ll race after the missing horses and carefully lasso each one, and then guide them to safety. You can even take to the trails on foot if you like, or try multiplayer by challenging a friend to a race. This game is rated E.
Saving the world, one pony at a time.
BIONICLE®
In a world you’ve only imagined, a shadow has been cast. Play as any of the six chosen Toa heroes. With the awesome elemental powers of the Toa at your fingertips, you must defeat Makuta and return the island of Mata Nui to light. Six stunning environments feature mountains, lakes, jungles, and more. You’ll have to cross molten rivers and swim in the deep waters of Lake Naho. Find the mask of light and become the seventh Toa, the Toa of Light. BIONICLE is rated E.
Parents nod and smile: Kids love robots!
Finding Nemo
THQ and Traveller’s Tales have brought the Pixar Studios movie Finding Nemo to your Xbox. Live out the movie as you help reunite Nemo and his father Marlin. Play as all three of the main characters; Nemo, Marlin, and Dory. Interact with characters and play mini games throughout 15 different levels of the game. This is the true underwater experience brought to life on the Xbox. Good news, too: Finding Nemo is a Platinum Hit, so you’ll be able to pick it up for under 20 bucks almost anywhere. Finding Nemo is rated E.
Your child’s favorite characters come to life.
Monopoly Party
The classic Monopoly board game is resurrected on the Xbox! Almost everyone has memories of playing the classic board game at home with their family at some point; now you can do it all over again on the Xbox. This version of the game moves a bit quicker, as every player moves at the same time, so you can squeeze more play time in. As well as being able to use the standard Monopoly board you also have some alternative board types to choose from, such as fantasy, sci-fi, ancient monuments, and more. Monopoly Party supports one to four players and is rated E.
This particular theme will thrill your little ones.
Tetris Worlds™ Online Edition
Every platform—even the mobile phone—has one or more Tetris titles, and the Xbox is no different. This classic puzzle game comes supercharged with Xbox Live® support so you can test your puzzle skills with your neighbors around the globe. Tetris is easy to pick up and play, completely addictive, and hard to master. Be sure to monitor your child’s gameplay over the Xbox Live service. Tetris Worlds Online Edition is rated E.
A minute to learn, a lifetime to master.
Trivial Pursuit® Unhinged™
This all-time-favorite trivia game (now online with XboxLive) will have you guessing for hours on end. Bet on every question, steal wedges, and stomp the competition. Be careful—the board can be your best friend or your worst enemy as you rotate moves and teleport. Hosted by celebrity guests and enhanced with audio and visual clues, this is possibly the best version of Trivial Pursuit to date. Trivial Pursuit is rated T for Teen.
The familiar game with new Xbox enhancements.
Xbox Music Mixer
Get your Xbox to go digital with the Xbox Music Mixer! Rather than being a game the Music Mixer is more of an add-on/utility for the Xbox giving you the ability to easily add multimedia to your Xbox. Painlessly make slideshows from pictures on your PC, transfer MP3 files to your Xbox, and sing along to Karaoke tunes with the included microphone. It’s a party in a box! In addition the Xbox Music Mixer also adds the connectivity for those of you with Xbox Live so when you copy music to your hard drive while in the Music Mixer it will name the tracks automatically by connecting to the internet and getting the track information. Xbox Music Mixer is rated ‘T’ for Teen.
It’s time to groove to a new beat.
Yu-Gi-Oh!™ The Dawn of Destiny™
This Xbox title seamlessly integrates Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card gameplay and rules with beautifully-rendered monster battles. Witness your favorite creatures battling it out in spectacular 3-D. The game features over 1000 cards, official game rules, and new duel modes including Link Duel and Triple Duel. Play with one to two players, or use System Link to challenge another player on their Xbox.
Your young ones’ favorite card game, on Xbox.
We have only mentioned a few of the titles in the Family genre. There are more coming out every day, so be sure to check Xbox.com or XboxSolution.com for information on other titles that may be of interest to you and your family.
Have fun!
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