Kids and Family

Style Lab Makeover lets gamers get creative as they apply new makeup and hairstyles to a variety of different faces. "Free" mode finds aspiring beauticians adding lipstick, blush, and eye shadow to their character's face, and then trying out new hairstyles and colors, while beauty challenges let players improve their skills and earn points to purchase new beauty products. DSi gamers have the option of taking pictures of themselves, letting Style Lab Makeover match their face to an in-game character, and then testing out new looks to see the potential results of real-world makeover. Wireless functionality lets players share their custom designs or snap photos and perform virtual makeovers for friends. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Based on the Monkees-style TV series starring the teen singing sensations The Jonas Brothers, Jonas finds gamers helping the fictional Lucas brothers balance a normal life with the demands of being pop stars. Players guide the trio through familiar locations from the series, interacting with their friends Stella and Macy, and collecting and unleashing "guitar action chords" that let Nick, Joe, and Kevin escape sticky situations. Gamers join the brothers as they perform their songs in six different live concerts, and there are a variety of different stylish outfits to unlock and customize. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

As its title proposes, this game combines the fast-paced prioritization puzzles of Diner Dash with a matrimonial theme. Players plan their own wedding, choosing flowers, cakes, and food, and then serve the guests as efficiently as possible, to keep everyone happy and satisfied. Players follow a humorous story that develops through between-level cut scenes, introducing characters and framing each new challenge. ~ All Game Guide

Following the top-rated simulation-style NBA game on PlayStation and Xbox consoles in previous years, the 2K Sports series expands to play its pro basketball on Wii and PSP with NBA 2K10. Across all platforms, the game retains the basic flow and feel of the 2K series' play style on the court, while refining league management features and adding new presentational elements intended to bring NBA authenticity. The series' Signature Play system builds on the player-specific styles featured in earlier games. New Signature Tendencies influence player decisions in the heat of the moment, and new facial expressions convey emotion while adding realism to the presentation. The 2K Sports "Association" franchise mode returns, offering almost complete control over trades across the league, and the ability to run real-time practices and assess how players work together as a team. NBA 2K10 also provides new defensive controls, which allow gamers to take charge of pressure, off-ball positioning, and shot blocks. For gamers who prefer to see themselves as the heroes of the hardwood, an enhanced "My Player" mode allows the custom creation of an NBA superstar-to-be, who can begin in summer training camps and try to earn a starting position on a favorite pro team -- with patience, hard work, and skills. Released in autumn 2009, NBA 2K10 represents the tenth season of the basketball series, with developer Visual Concepts creating the Dreamcast-exclusive original NBA 2K a decade earlier. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Designed to be accessible to gamers of all ages and skill levels, Ultimate Party Challenge includes 40 different multiplayer mini-games. Players create a unique avatar or choose from a selection of over-the-top characters, then use their Wii Remote and DDR-style dance mat to compete in mini-game challenges like "Bungee Splash," "Human Cannonball," "Snowboard Challenge," and "Pizza Spinning." A number of different multiplayer modes let up to four people team up or go head-to-head, with victorious gamers earning new accessories and outfits for their avatar. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Academy of Champions: Soccer brings an arcade feel and story-driven gameplay to the world's most popular sport as gamers guide a young student through the prestigious Brightfield Academy. Soccer legend Pelé serves as the academy's headmaster, helping players improve their fundamental skills, and keeping them away from the underhanded Von Trappe and his evil Scythemore Academy. Gamers are also joined by U.S. soccer star Mia Hamm, who serves and both a mentor and a teammate as users hit the pitch for five-on-five competitions. Game action helps players upgrade their skills and equipment, and gamers can also work on their skills in more than a dozen mini-games, including goalkeeping, shooting, and tackling activities, as well as the Wii Balance Board-friendly Brazilian freestyle juggling drill. There are a variety of spectacular moves for players to unlock and 18 different teams to challenge, including a squad of Rabbids, and a team comprising adolescent versions of such Ubisoft luminaries as Rayman, Altaïr, and Sam Fisher. Those who grow tired of taking on AI competition also have the option to join a friend for head-to-head matches. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Assemble a band, brick by colorful brick, in this family friendly version of Harmonix Music's popular rhythm series. Featuring the same level of customization and whimsical humor found in previous LEGO video games, LEGO Rock Band lets you create your own band members, roadies, and even managers from a variety of individual parts. Completing songs and rock power challenges earn you studs that can be used to unlock additional venues, characters, instruments, vehicles, and items for your personal "rock den." Challenges involve achieving such offbeat feats as summoning storms, demolishing skyscrapers, and defeating a giant octopus with the power of music.

As with Rock Band on PSP, the DS version does not require any additional peripherals to play the drum, singer, guitar, or bass parts, and you can either focus on mastering one instrument or switch between all four parts during a song. Twenty-five tracks are included on the cartridge, all performed by the original artists. Songs include "Let's Dance," "Ghostbusters," "Suddenly I See," "So What," "I Want You Back," "Free Fallin," and more. Up to four players can perform with or against each other via local wireless connection in a choice of two game modes: Quickplay and Rock Power Challengers. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Aspiring culinary artists can turn their Wii Remote into a kitchen knife as they slice and dive their way through more than 30 real recipes in Food Network: Cook or Be Cooked! Players can learn how to prepare a wide range of meals, from simple breakfasts to elaborate feasts, and Food Network personalities Susie Fogelson and Mory Thomas offer up tips, instructions, and critiques of each dish. Food-loving gamers can try the challenges alone, or they can take on a friend in head-to-head cook-offs. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Players can help young adventurer Dora as she enters the world of pet ownership in Dora the Explorer: Dora Puppy. There are ten different puppy-related activities to try, including: feeding, bathing, and grooming in "Caretaking"; trying out games of fetch, hide and seek, and tug of war in "Puppy Play"; teaching the pup to sit, roll over, and speak in "Training"; and outfitting the critter with clothing, collars, and headwear in "Dress-up." As gamers play they can earn puppy tokens to purchase new clothing and accessories, new toys for Perrito, and pages for the colorful picture book. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Create the perfect ensemble from a choice of over 10,000 clothing items in Style Savvy for Nintendo DS. As the owner of a trendy boutique, you will be responsible for the store's inventory, finances, and clientele. Sixteen different in-game designer labels are included, each varying in style and cost. Your business will succeed or fail based on the opinions and preferences of the customers who shop in your store. Once you've earned enough money, you can start improving your business by offering new clothing lines, seasonal merchandise, and more. Style Savvy also features four-player support for fashion runway contests via local wireless connection. Those with Internet access can browse and shop in their friends' stores. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Activision takes the Wii mini-game compilation to powdery slopes and icy valleys for seven different outdoor activities in Mountain Sports. Players can use their Wii Remote to take on skiing, snowboarding, sledding, tubing, bobsledding, biathlon, and curling activities modes, and every mode except curling is optimized for use with the Wii Balance Board. There are 22 different tracks to explore, and gamers can compete in single-player "Career" and "Quick Play" modes, or challenge up to three friends in any event in "Multiplayer" mode. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Players take their table waiting skills on vacation in Diner Dash: Flo on the Go. In this release, Flo is working the restaurants on a cruise ship and must keep her patrons happy and earn enough tips by taking orders, bringing desert, offering beverages, serving food, and presenting appetizers all before the customers lose their cool. Flo will wait tables in five new restaurants and must cater to nine customer types including single mothers, lovers, mixed families, and tourists. Additionally, gamers can change Flo's outfit in her new closet and upgrade each restaurant with over 25 items. ~ Gracie Leach, All Game Guide

The second in a series designed to promote social gaming, Hasbro Family Game Night Vol. 2 offers players five classic Hasbro board games. New to the series are digitized versions of "Operation," "Jenga," "Bop-It," and "Pictureka," while "Connect Four" makes something of return appearance with the four-player friendly "Connect 4x4." All of the games let up to four people compete at the same time, and the new "Hasbro Family Game Show" party mode lets all four participants guide their "Mii" characters around a circular stage in a faux game show, complete with a studio audience and celebrity host -- Mr. Potato Head. Players can earn trophies and unlock new outfits and accessories for Mr. Potato Head and his better half, Mrs. Potato Head. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide