If you aren't policing your child's video games, you might find some unwelcome visitors and violence it in your own home. A list out Tuesday tells you what's hot and what's not in when it comes to video games appropriate for children.
The Williams family is hoping Santa brings a WII gaming system in his sack; but dad Travis says what he is likely to play on it is way different from what he will allow his kids to load up. "You don't want too much violence… something fun, educational, you know," says Williams. He says he'll watch out for the video ratings and avoid games not good for young minds.
The National Institute for Media and the Family says there are games absolutely inappropriate for anyone under the age of 17. The organization says “Dead Space” can leave your character decapitated and his limbs dismantled, and Blitz the League II encourages steroid and drug use. Wins are celebrated with prostitutes in hotel rooms. These games are marked with an “M” rating on the box.
For the younger crowd: sports themes, with an "E" for everyone, strike a high note. For teens, 13 and up, "Guitar Hero World Tour," "Rock Band 2," "Rock Revolution", "Spider-man: Web of Shadows," and "Shaun White Snowboarding" are all on Santa’s good list.
The Williams family will be checking that list twice, so that their little angels don't receive any unnecessary surprises in their stockings. "It’s a family thing," says Williams, and he wants to keep it that way.
BEST AND WORST GAMES
Here is the National Institute on Media and the Family's 2008 Game Buying Guide for parents looking for kids' gifts.
Read more at www.mediawise.org
Recommended E-rated games (everyone):
-"Samba de Amigo"
-"NBA Live 09"
-"Nancy Drew: The Haunting of Castle Malloy"
-"FIFA Soccer 09"
-"High School Musical 3: Senior Year DANCE!"
-"LittleBigPlanet"
-"All Star Cheer Squad"
-"Hasbro Family Game Night"
-"NCAA Basketball 09"
-Not all player-generated content is appropriate. Parents should monitor and be aware of the levels their children are accessing on the Playstation Network.
Recommended T-rated games (teens):
-Rock Revolution"
-"Spiderman: Web of Shadows"
-"Guitar Hero World Tour"
-"Rock Band 2"
-"Shaun White Snowboarding"
Not for Children under 17:
-"Silent Hill: Homecoming"
-"Blitz: The League II"
-"Dead Space"
-"Legendary"
-"Far Cry 2"
-"Resistance 2"
-"Gears of War 2"
-"Left 4 Dead"
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