Kids and Family Video Games

Sega's signature tennis series appears for the first time on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 with Virtua Tennis 3. As in previous versions, players are free to create a male or female athlete and build his or her attributes through an event-filled career. The goal is to gradually improve your character's ranking by competing in sanctioned tournaments held across the globe. In between tournaments, players can participate in skill-oriented mini-games or train at a tennis academy. The mini-games in particular are just as wacky as in earlier titles, with players attempting to outwit aliens, alligators, and more by hitting targets as quickly and as accurately as possible.

Featured play modes include World Tour, Tournament, Exhibition, and Court Games, where up to four players can compete in their choice of doubles, mixed doubles, or singles play. Twenty professional tennis stars are available to play as or against, including such notables as Andy Roddick, Maria Sharapova, Amélie Mauresmo, and Roger Federer. Characters will compete in a variety of international venues, with clay, grass, hard court, and carpet surfaces all influencing shots in realistic ways. Online support is included for the Xbox 360 version, while the PS3 game uses the Sixaxis controller's tilt function for both movement and swings. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

The makers of FIFA kick their game up to champion caliber with this fast-paced soccer sim, based on the series running from July 2006 through the championship game in May 2007. In addition to realistic competition on the pitch, EA Sports' Xbox 360 version of UEFA Champions League 2006-2007 offers strategic challenges for would-be coaches. Full-season players can build their teams, tactics, support staff, and even intangibles such as team health and morale, through a virtual trading card game that forces prioritization and rewards good strategy. Other modes of play are also available, allowing quick matches as well as accurate recreations of the European series, featuring all the real-life teams, players, and venues. ~ All Game Guide

Normally known for gritty, mature-themed action-adventures, the development team at Rockstar San Diego serves up this unlikely sports game, intended to translate the furious and intense action of table tennis to the Xbox 360. Designed to mimic the exciting experience of international table tennis competition, the game allows players to choose from 11 distinct characters, which vary both in appearance and abilities. These up-and-coming athletes must train, to master various shots and techniques. When they are ready for competition, they will compete across 19 venues while sporting authentic equipment and apparel from some of the top names in table tennis, including Killerspin, Adidas, Joola, and Butterfly. ~ Damian Francis, All Game Guide

The Boys of Summer return for another season of peanuts, Cracker Jack, and pepper games in MLB 2K13. Gamers can once again take control of every aspect of their favorite team in Franchise mode, while the career-based My Player mode returns to let them create, customize, and guide a player from the minors to big-league stardom. The MLB Today and MLB Today Season modes lets players compete in games and scenarios taken from the real MLB season, complete with updated rosters, commentary, and relevant stats.

Player ratings change dynamically in between pitches, at-bats, and games to reflect the hot steaks, slumps, and favorable or unfavorable matchups that occur in real baseball, and gamers can tailor their approach to each opposing player thanks to authentic scouting reports. All of the modes make use of 2K's analog-based Total Control pitching and hitting, including the Home Run Derby, and the Postseason mode, in which fans can relive or rewrite the results of the 2012 playoffs. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

This compilation includes two games from 2K Sports' popular sports franchises. Players can live their hoop dreams in NBA 2K13 or head to the ballpark for classic baseball action in MLB 2K13. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Released in conjunction with the three-quel feature film, Madagascar 3: The Video Game puts players in the roles of Alex, Marty, Melman, and Gloria, for zoologically fueled adventure in a circus tour across Europe. Through a series of mini-games, the animals perform publicity stunts at famous landmarks, as well as acts of derring-do under the big top. They'll also need to watch out for animal control officers, who can cut their circus careers short with a quick trip back to Central Park. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Ubisoft's Kinect-based fitness game returns with over 90 hours of activities, new floor movements, and an enhanced feedback system in Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2012. An improved player projection system allows users to view themselves as they participate in interactive exercises, dance routines, and mini-games, and the new "Run the World" feature lets gamers run through virtual re-creations of New York, Paris, and London. Players can customize their routines to fit specific time allotments or target muscle groups, or they can use a personal trainer to reach their fitness goals.

Users can take on new workout routines inspired by Latin, Hip-Hop, Pop, African, and Bollywood themes, or they can try the Zen, Kick Boxing, Boot Camp, and Jump Rope mini-games. The enhanced feedback system provides players with tips on how to improve their form, including advice on new floor exercises like push-ups and sit-ups. Fitness Evolved 2012 also allows gamers to monitor their progress in the "Your Shape Center," challenge friends to contests, post results on Facebook, and even keep up on their workouts with mobile device applications. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

World-renowned spirituality guru Deepak Chopra makes his first foray into the gaming world with Leela, a title designed to promote both physical and mental fitness through a combination of activity and meditation. Players are gradually introduced to Chakra-based meditation techniques, with specific exercises designed to target seven key areas and help users get into a "flow state," and the game also measures the breathing of Kinect users to offer feedback and encouragement.

In-game activities are accompanied by soothing music and bright, kaleidoscope-like images, and creative gamers are encouraged to design their own Mandala as an expression of their spiritual essence. Leela is also designed to incorporate each player's unique abilities to help them achieve a more balanced life. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Throw caution to the wind in Motionsports Adrenaline, a collection of eight extreme sports set in exotic locales from around the world. Featured activities include gliding through the air in a wingsuit, hurtling down steep terrain on a mountain bike, kayaking on raging rivers, rock climbing, kite surfing, parkour, extreme skiing, and extreme trampoline jumping. Each event features environmental dangers to avoid and stunts to pull off to increase your score.

Up to four players can compete against one another in races, relays, and "trick trails," with collectible power-ups (such as water bombs) to use against rivals. In addition to local cooperative and competitive modes, the game includes a number of online features as well. Recorded performances of your online friends will serve as extra motivation to beat their best times, and you'll be able to set your own challenges in each event as well. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Based on the television game show hosted by Guy Fieri, Minute to Win It finds gamers taking on a variety of physical tasks in order to win one million virtual dollars. Contestants must complete ten games using common household items in an unorthodox manner, such as rolling eggs across the floor with an empty pizza box, but players have only 60 seconds to complete each task. There are 20 challenges in all, spread across four single-player modes optimized for use with the Kinect, and multiplayer fans can join up to three friends for co-op or turn-based action. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide