With the holidays upon us, the steady trickle of video games for kids has turned into a landslide. There's plenty of educational gaming to be found (watch this space...), but this week's focus is on licensed games -- those flashy, store-aisle eyeball-grabbers that work in characters and plotlines from kids' favorite toys, movies and TV shows. Consider it sort of like eating your dessert first and then working backward toward the veggies.
Avatar: The Burning Earth (THQ; screenshot above)
Available For: Wii, Xbox 360, PS2, DS, GBA
The Deal: Nick's animated hit about an on-the-run golden child with element-manipulating powers returns to the console; this time, you're playing as lead character Aang, as well as his friends, to hone your (literal) elemental skills and fend off a Fire Nation assault: air battles, multiplayer action and arena combat ensue. It's a fighting game, albeit a cartoonish, Zen-like one, so little kids may not be ready for it yet -- though they're sure to argue otherwise.
Who'll Dig It: Besides Babble's own Lisa Carver, fans of Avatar (the storyline, characters and Asian-style animation are straight out of season 2) and of martial-arts games in general.
Barbie as the Island Princess (Activision)
Available For: Wii, PS2, DS, GBA, PC
The Deal: A game based on a movie based on a toy based on a beauty ideal, Barbie as the Island Princess finds you playing as the shipwrecked Princess Rosella -- with the option to unlock new characters and costumes as you move toward your ultimate destination, the prince's castle. A multiplayer mode and 28 minigames, along with footage not found in the DVD, add welcome replay value.
Who'll Dig It: Barbie fans of all ages; it's also a fun way to bond outside of the castle playset with your little Barbie collector, particularly if neither of you is an avid gamer.
Ben 10: Protector of Earth (D3)
Available For: Wii, DS, PS2, PSP
The Deal: The shape-shifting 10-year-old star of Cartoon Network's animated smash (and real-life spinoff) must stop the evil Vilgax from stealing the source of his power. Play as Ben's five alien alter-egos; battle friends in combat mode; and unlock challenges as you fight to save the world. Or, you know, just watch your kids clobber their way through the thing.
Who'll Dig It: Ben 10 fans will love being able to man the Omnitrix (don't ask) and get into their hero's business. You might be underwhelmed by the basic fight-to-win action if you're not down with the series, but if that's the case, why are you playing?
Cars: Mater National (THQ)
Available For: Xbox 360, Wii, PS3, PS2, DS, GBA, PC
The Deal: Racing games are like crack for kids; throw in the characters from Pixar's Cars, along with Monsters, Inc.'s Mike and Sully (here as monster trucks) and you won't be able to pull 'em away from the set. This time, you're competing in the Mater-National world championship, vying for a shot against Lightning McQueen while veering off course in over 20 minigames and a wide-open playing field.
Who'll Dig It: See above. It doesn't blow away the original Cars game, but given how easy these things are to beat, it's a nice expansion to the series.
Dora Saves the Mermaids (2K Play)
Available For: DS
The Deal: Though it's clearly aimed at the littlest gamers, Dora's new adventure -- in which she and Boots team up for a fun, simple journey to restore a mermaid's magic crown -- has some cool features: You can use the stylus to sweep garbage off a beach, or call to dolphins through the DS' microphone. And with basic counting and puzzle-solving activities included, it's got some educational perks, too.
Who'll Dig It: Dora fans, of course.
