Action & Adventure Video Games

Incorporating characters, settings, and storylines from the first four entries in Disney's blockbuster film series, this adaptation of Pirates of the Caribbean continues in the tradition of earlier LEGO games based on Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Harry Potter. Over 20 whimsical levels are included as players guide "minifig" versions of Captain Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, and Elizabeth Swann across locales based on Port Royal, Tortuga, Isla de Muerta, Shipwreck Cove, and Sparrow's ship, the Black Pearl.

Characters will engage in lighthearted swordplay against soldiers, skeletons, and other enemies while solving puzzles and interacting with objects in the environment. As with previous titles in the LEGO series, you'll quickly assemble items throughout each area to reveal treasures, unlock secret areas, or to complete objectives. The action is once again viewed from a third-person perspective as up to two friends or family members work together via local wireless connection. Over 70 playable characters are included in total, with a "free play" mode allowing players to revisit their favorite scenes with their choice of heroes or villains. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Players venture through the realms of legend as Thor: God of Thunder. The video game is based on the contemporarily released feature film, and follows Marvel Comics' interpretation of the stormy figure of Norse mythology. The adventure proceeds through 2D platform combat, with direction-based special attacks and supernatural abilities. Thor's mighty hammer, Mjolnir, grants players access to the powers of wind, lightning, and thunder. The stylized graphics have a comic book appearance. Much of the game takes place in the different worlds of Norse mythology, as Asgard faces threats from the realms of fire, ice, giants, and trolls. The story was co-authored by Matt Fraction, an esteemed writer of the Thor comic series. Actors Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston reprise their roles from the film to provide voice acting. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Clone troopers and droids engage in comical battles in this continuation of the best-selling LEGO Star Wars series. Choose from an assortment of characters featured in Star Wars: The Clone Wars (as well as classic heroes such as Luke Skywalker and Chewbacca) while engaging in brick-on-brick combat and using character-specific abilities to solve puzzles. More than 20 missions are included along with 40 bonus levels set throughout the Clone Wars timeline.

The action once again takes place from a third-person viewpoint set behind the LEGO characters, but you'll now be able to control multiple teams in different locales by swapping between groups with a button press. In addition to on-foot missions, you'll journey through the stars in spaceships or steer ground vehicles such the clone turbo tank. Local wireless multiplayer support is also included with drop-in and drop-out play. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Players find platform puzzles of a different color in the exclusive Nintendo DS-edition follow-up to De Blob. Similar to the indoor areas in the console versions of the sequel, the handheld edition of De Blob 2 consists of paint-splashing puzzles in 2D environments. In addition to his famous coloring powers, the amorphous hero must use new special abilities such as wall jumps, a slingshot move, and a gravity-defying "Sticky Mode," in order to make it through the game's most challenging side-scrolling levels. The DS version's story begins a short time after the end of the first game. Comrade Black and his Inkies have been defeated, but the dastardly Dr. Von Blot has been secretly continuing his cruel research in a hidden, underground lab. When de Blob happens upon the villain capturing another innocent test subject, he realizes he must infiltrate the secret lab and put a stop to the evil scheme. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Created and released in conjunction with Disney's feature-film sequel, Tron: Evolution is an action-driven adventure that plays through story events taking place between 1982's original Tron and 2010s Tron Legacy. The various console and handheld versions of the title are set at different places in the timeline, with the Nintendo DS game focusing on 1985. The hero is a monitor program, who appears as a human in the neon-gridded cyber-realm in which the movies and games take place. In the role of this personified program, players face fast-paced combat and platforming puzzles, using the Tron light disc to battle enemies and access remote objects and switches. The stylus is used to fling the versatile disc. Other modes of play engage the hero in grid game competitions, racing in light cycles and battling in light tanks. Players can also progress in the adventure by completing mini-games, to hack their way toward the core of the master system. In addition to the single-player campaign, Tron: Evolution supports multiplayer competition for up to four, over a local wireless connection. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Released in conjunction with Disney's computer-animated feature film, Tangled for Nintendo DS is a side-scrolling adventure game with situational puzzles and mini-game challenges. Players guide the main character Rapunzel, re-imagined from her fairy tale form with modern sensibilities, as she travels through themed areas based on locations from the movie, including the Forest, the Village, and the Tower. Rapunzel encounters other characters in her journey, both animal and human, who may need her help. She'll have to learn to get along with the cavalier Flynn, as well. By making friends whenever she can, Rapunzel can count on assistance when she really needs it. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Based on the Disney Channel television series, Wizards of Waverly Place: Spellbound has players controlling three young wizards-in-training: Alex, Justin, and Max Russo. A dress designed by Alex has gone missing before her fashion show, so she embarks on a puzzle-filled quest to solve the mystery. Players will solve puzzles by casting various stylus-powered spells, from moving and freezing objects to turning themselves into a hamster. Bonus wizard challenges are also available, as are up to 25 outfits to collect for customizing Alex's appearance. While piecing together the mystery, players will visit several locales from the television show, including the Waverly Sub Station, Tribeca Prep, and the Russo loft. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Santa's most famous reindeer finally gets to join in on the reindeer games in this title that is part interactive book, and part life development sim. Gamers can experience the adventures of Rudolph, Hermey, Sam, and other characters from the classic Rankin/Bass stop-motion animated film, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer also offers more than 130 mini-game activities, such as coloring, toy making, and cleaning, feeding, and petting Rudolph. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Based on the animated TV series, Casper's Scare School: Classroom Capers is a collection of 24 elementary-school inspired activities with a ghostly theme, starring Casper and his friends Ra and Mantha. Mini-games find players taking part in History, Science, and Gym classes, avoiding the vampire bully Thatch, dodging spooky teachers, and using the touch screen and stylus to collect special items. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Younger gamers have a field day at their fingertips with Casper's Scare School: Spooky Sports Day. Based on the computer-animated television series, the budget-friendly game is a collection of athletically inspired activities with a ghostly theme, starring Casper and his Scare School classmates. Mini-games include skateboarding, soccer, and an egg-and-spoon race. The activities are tied together with a storyline that has Casper attempting to foil the decidedly unfriendly plans of Thatch the vampire, who wants to win all the Spooky Sports Day prizes for himself. The game is designed especially for fans of the television show, ages 6 to 9 years old. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide