Video Games for Grownups
Here's the inside scoop on some of this year's great (and not-so-great) games for those 50+.
By: Damon Brown | Source: AARP.org | 2008-07-24
It’s official: Grown-ups can have as much fun with video games as kids. AARP is diving in head first, giving you the best (and the worst) games for those 50+. You just need to pick your favorite computer or video-game system, grab a joystick, and have a ball!
Do logic problems, math calculations, and other brain teasers as quickly as possible, then get ranked and aim for a higher score. As the title implies, it’s a great, fun exercise for your brain that doesn’t even feel like work. You can also compete with up to seven—that’s right, seven, of your friends in the same living room. The original Brain Age and Big Brain Academy are available on the portable Nintendo DS system. Why you should get it: To keep your mind sharp.
A tranquil, beautiful game, Endless Ocean accurately recreates deep-sea diving in the South Pacific. Go on missions to find treasures and rare sea creatures, or just wander around the deep at your own pace. The visuals are outstanding, while discovering and learning about real-life mammals like stingrays and dolphins is an educational treat. Why you should get it: To have a quiet gaming experience.
In this collection of parlor games, evil rabbits have taken over the world and the hero must stop them by shooting carrot juice, busting dance moves, and doing other fun feats of skill. It’s a hilarious game that makes active use of the Wii’s special remote-control stick, yet it’s still easy to pick up and play. The original Rayman Raving Rabbids is also available on the Wii, XBox 360, PC, and Nintendo DS. Why you should get it: To have silly fun with the kids.
Want some old-fashioned fun? EA Playground has 10 classic schoolyard games like dodgeball, marbles, handball, and paper airplanes. Use the special Wii remote to flick, swing, or grab things. You can play against several of your friends, in person, and the wholesome game play is perfect for kids, too. It’s also available on the Nintendo DS. Why you should get it: To enjoy a non-violent competition with the kids.
Go up against Paula, Randy, and Simon in this fun take on karaoke. Design your character, plug in the included microphone, and belt out more than 40 different tunes. The sophisticated system judges your pitch and volume and rates your performances. Up to eight people can play in person or online. It’s also available on the XBox 360 and Nintendo Wii. Why you should get it: To show off your singing skills (and make fun of others).
There are plenty of golf simulators out there, but few, if any are more accurate than the popular Tiger Woods’ series. Four real-life courses, all exact to the inch, and tight physics make it worthwhile for any golf lover. Play a round with up to four players online or in person. It’s also available on other major systems, including the XBox 360, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, Sony PSP, and PC. Why you should get it: To get to the green while away from the course.
This long-running action series is known for its high difficulty—and Devil May Cry 4 doesn’t deviate from the trend. Filled with shooting, swordplay, and magic, the game has an intensity that never really lets up, and the vast, sometimes confusing missions require a serious time commitment. It’s not worth keeping up your stamina. It is also available on the XBox 360. Why you should get it: Eh, probably not worth the time.
Based on the additive puzzle game, Tetris Evolution adds multiplayer games, online competitions and improved graphics. A basic game of Tetris, where you try to create rows out of falling blocks, alone makes it worth the price of admission. It supports up to four players. Why you should get it: To get your puzzle fix.
Halo 3 is an immensely popular, fast-paced alien shooter that, on its more difficult settings, brings the most hardcore gamers to their knees. It is visually stunning, but expect hand-cramping, blurry shootouts and more than a dash of frustration. (And this violent shooter definitely isn’t for kids.) Why you should get it: Not a whole lot of reasons to buy.
Modern baseball games are usually uptight affairs with accurate stats and intense challenges, but the BIGS just concentrates on the fun. Pick your favorite player, head out on the field, and smack the ball out into the bleachers. The career mode gives you a full season, but The BIGS is best for quick games with friends. It’s also out on the PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii and Sony PSP. Why you should get it: To have a casual, fun competition at the ballpark.
A sequel to the popular PlayStation 2 game, Beautiful Katamari has you running across alien worlds rolling up items until you make the biggest ball possible. The simple, addictive game play and quirky sense of humor have made it one of the most popular game series. It’s definitely worth a spin. Why you should get it: To try something different.
Rail Simulator puts you at the helm of historically accurate trains traveling through America and various parts of Europe. The 1,000-plus miles of track are based on real topography, and trains can be modified down to their engine type (steam-powered, electric, or diesel). You can also swap trains with friends online. Why you should get it: To relive model trains.
Addictive like Tetris, Zuma pits you against a long cascade of moving balls. Match three or more like-colored balls to eliminate them from the chain. The dozens of levels get tough, but the difficulty ramps up slowly enough to keep novices in the game. Also available for download on the XBox 360. Why you should get it: To enjoy fast-paced puzzle solving.
Use the special Nintendo DS stylus to chop up veggies, stir pots, and grill meat to create the ultimate meal. Foodies will love the accuracy; you’ll be ready to cook the real meals after a few games. Besides, the brief, two-minute long sessions make it perfect for a quick break. Also available on the Nintendo Wii. Why you should get it: To learn new kitchen recipes.
Versions of Sudoku, the super popular numbers game, can be found in newspapers, magazines, and the like, but this translation to the portable PSP system is great for when you don’t have any pen-and-paper puzzles around. Don’t expect anything more than an electronic version of your favorite game, but the 1,000 grids and four difficulty levels provide plenty of replay value. Pick up the PlayStation 3 version to play it on your home TV. Why you should get it: To do the numbers game on the go.
Clubhouse Games crams in more than 40 different classic pastimes, including Solitaire and Hearts, Hangman and Mah-Jongg, and Checkers and Backgammon. It’s easy to get started, and, depending on the game, you can play against up to seven of your friends; just pass the Nintendo DS around from turn to turn. It’s not the prettiest-looking game in the world, but you’d be hard-pressed to get more bang for your buck. Why you should get it: To have classic games when you are bored.
Like a Perry Mason video game, Phoenix Wright puts you in the shoes of a hot-shot lawyer who must use his wits and crime-solving abilities to defend innocent clients. It’s as fun as watching a TV mystery, and the plot twists will definitely keep you guessing. The popular Phoenix Wright series has several sequels, including Justice For All, Trials and Tribulations, and the newest, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney. Why you should get it: To play Matlock.
Do logic problems, math calculations, and other brain teasers as quickly as possible, then get ranked and aim for a higher score. As the title implies, it’s a great, fun exercise for your brain that doesn’t even feel like work. You can also compete with up to seven—that’s right, seven, of your friends in the same living room. The original Brain Age and Big Brain Academy are available on the portable Nintendo DS system. Why you should get it: To keep your mind sharp.
A tranquil, beautiful game, Endless Ocean accurately recreates deep-sea diving in the South Pacific. Go on missions to find treasures and rare sea creatures, or just wander around the deep at your own pace. The visuals are outstanding, while discovering and learning about real-life mammals like stingrays and dolphins is an educational treat. Why you should get it: To have a quiet gaming experience.
In this collection of parlor games, evil rabbits have taken over the world and the hero must stop them by shooting carrot juice, busting dance moves, and doing other fun feats of skill. It’s a hilarious game that makes active use of the Wii’s special remote-control stick, yet it’s still easy to pick up and play. The original Rayman Raving Rabbids is also available on the Wii, XBox 360, PC, and Nintendo DS. Why you should get it: To have silly fun with the kids.
Want some old-fashioned fun? EA Playground has 10 classic schoolyard games like dodgeball, marbles, handball, and paper airplanes. Use the special Wii remote to flick, swing, or grab things. You can play against several of your friends, in person, and the wholesome game play is perfect for kids, too. It’s also available on the Nintendo DS. Why you should get it: To enjoy a non-violent competition with the kids.
Go up against Paula, Randy, and Simon in this fun take on karaoke. Design your character, plug in the included microphone, and belt out more than 40 different tunes. The sophisticated system judges your pitch and volume and rates your performances. Up to eight people can play in person or online. It’s also available on the XBox 360 and Nintendo Wii. Why you should get it: To show off your singing skills (and make fun of others).
There are plenty of golf simulators out there, but few, if any are more accurate than the popular Tiger Woods’ series. Four real-life courses, all exact to the inch, and tight physics make it worthwhile for any golf lover. Play a round with up to four players online or in person. It’s also available on other major systems, including the XBox 360, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, Sony PSP, and PC. Why you should get it: To get to the green while away from the course.
This long-running action series is known for its high difficulty—and Devil May Cry 4 doesn’t deviate from the trend. Filled with shooting, swordplay, and magic, the game has an intensity that never really lets up, and the vast, sometimes confusing missions require a serious time commitment. It’s not worth keeping up your stamina. It is also available on the XBox 360. Why you should get it: Eh, probably not worth the time.
Based on the additive puzzle game, Tetris Evolution adds multiplayer games, online competitions and improved graphics. A basic game of Tetris, where you try to create rows out of falling blocks, alone makes it worth the price of admission. It supports up to four players. Why you should get it: To get your puzzle fix.
Halo 3 is an immensely popular, fast-paced alien shooter that, on its more difficult settings, brings the most hardcore gamers to their knees. It is visually stunning, but expect hand-cramping, blurry shootouts and more than a dash of frustration. (And this violent shooter definitely isn’t for kids.) Why you should get it: Not a whole lot of reasons to buy.
Modern baseball games are usually uptight affairs with accurate stats and intense challenges, but the BIGS just concentrates on the fun. Pick your favorite player, head out on the field, and smack the ball out into the bleachers. The career mode gives you a full season, but The BIGS is best for quick games with friends. It’s also out on the PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii and Sony PSP. Why you should get it: To have a casual, fun competition at the ballpark.
A sequel to the popular PlayStation 2 game, Beautiful Katamari has you running across alien worlds rolling up items until you make the biggest ball possible. The simple, addictive game play and quirky sense of humor have made it one of the most popular game series. It’s definitely worth a spin. Why you should get it: To try something different.
Rail Simulator puts you at the helm of historically accurate trains traveling through America and various parts of Europe. The 1,000-plus miles of track are based on real topography, and trains can be modified down to their engine type (steam-powered, electric, or diesel). You can also swap trains with friends online. Why you should get it: To relive model trains.
Addictive like Tetris, Zuma pits you against a long cascade of moving balls. Match three or more like-colored balls to eliminate them from the chain. The dozens of levels get tough, but the difficulty ramps up slowly enough to keep novices in the game. Also available for download on the XBox 360. Why you should get it: To enjoy fast-paced puzzle solving.
Use the special Nintendo DS stylus to chop up veggies, stir pots, and grill meat to create the ultimate meal. Foodies will love the accuracy; you’ll be ready to cook the real meals after a few games. Besides, the brief, two-minute long sessions make it perfect for a quick break. Also available on the Nintendo Wii. Why you should get it: To learn new kitchen recipes.
Versions of Sudoku, the super popular numbers game, can be found in newspapers, magazines, and the like, but this translation to the portable PSP system is great for when you don’t have any pen-and-paper puzzles around. Don’t expect anything more than an electronic version of your favorite game, but the 1,000 grids and four difficulty levels provide plenty of replay value. Pick up the PlayStation 3 version to play it on your home TV. Why you should get it: To do the numbers game on the go.
Clubhouse Games crams in more than 40 different classic pastimes, including Solitaire and Hearts, Hangman and Mah-Jongg, and Checkers and Backgammon. It’s easy to get started, and, depending on the game, you can play against up to seven of your friends; just pass the Nintendo DS around from turn to turn. It’s not the prettiest-looking game in the world, but you’d be hard-pressed to get more bang for your buck. Why you should get it: To have classic games when you are bored.
Like a Perry Mason video game, Phoenix Wright puts you in the shoes of a hot-shot lawyer who must use his wits and crime-solving abilities to defend innocent clients. It’s as fun as watching a TV mystery, and the plot twists will definitely keep you guessing. The popular Phoenix Wright series has several sequels, including Justice For All, Trials and Tribulations, and the newest, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney. Why you should get it: To play Matlock.
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