Kids and Family Video Games

Based on the animated film about a family of cave people dealing with their changing world, The Croods: Prehistoric Party! is a collection of 30 primitive-themed party games. Players can join Grug, Ugga, Eep, Thunk, Sandy, Gran, and Guy as they take on mini-games, collect eggs, meet strange creatures, and learn about technology while searching for a new home. There are two different game modes, with the Trailblazer mode offering a board game competition, and the Hunter and Gatherer mode letting users define their own time- or egg-based victory conditions. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Based on the animated film about a kind-hearted videogame bad guy seeking a new role in life, Wreck-It Ralph picks up where the movie finishes, with Ralph and his nemesis Felix teaming up to help rid Mr. Litwak's arcade of menacing Cy-bugs. In classic platforming action, gamers use their stylus and touch screen to run and jump through four game-themed worlds, including the candy-coated world of Sugar Rush, and the war-torn landscape of Hero's Duty. Players can grab a variety of collectibles along the way, and the game can be played a second time with a new set of rules. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

The first true sequel for Nintendo's long-running and ultra-popular creature-breeding RPG franchise, Pokémon: Black Version 2 sends players back to the Unova region for more exploration, collection, and turn-based battling. Unova has changed drastically in the two years since the first game, with new towns to explore, new characters, and familiar friends in new roles. Gamers once again take on the role of a Pokémon trainer and travel around the world battling other trainers, interacting with Gym Leaders, and uncovering the mysteries of the Black Kyurem and White Kyurem.

As was the case in the first Pokémon: Black Version, each Gym Leader controls a stable of themed Pokémon to be captured, with 300 total Pokémon in the game and 22 creatures exclusive to Pokémon: Black Version 2. New features include the Pokémon World Tournament, where players can battle every Gym Leader in a variety of modes, the Hollywood-like Pokéstar Studios, where gamers can make Pokémon films, and the Challenge and Assist modes that raise or lower the strength of rival trainers.

Pokémon: Black Version 2 is compatible with its co-release Pokémon: White Version 2, as well as their predecessors Pokémon: Black Version and Pokémon: White Version. Gamers who also own a 3DS can download the new Pokédex 3D Pro and play Pokémon Dream Radar to capture Pokémon in the real world using the system's augmented reality function. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Finding Nemo: Escape to the Big Blue makes waves on Nintendo DS as a collection of more than 20 tropical-themed mini-games that make special use of the system's touch screen and microphone features. The goal is to save each member of the "tank gang" from a dentist's aquarium by completing character-based challenges aimed at younger fans of the feature film. Players will locate hidden sea creatures amidst a colorful reef, clean a shark's teeth, engage in 3D races, explore the ocean's mysteries with the "interactive reef" option, and even blow in the microphone to create bubbles.

This is a re-issue timed to coincide with the 3D re-release of the film Finding Nemo. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Gamers can help the famed city of Rome grow from a small village into a great empire in 100 levels of "match-three" adventure in Cradle of Rome 2. Players match three or more items to collect resources, earn gold, and find citizens to help construct buildings and populate the city. There are eight different power-ups to help when gamers get stuck, blueprint mini-games to keep the action varied, and three difficulty levels for added challenge. Players can also earn 28 different trophies and unlock the bonus "Blitz" and "Tourney" modes. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

A Pokémon-flavored homage to the classic NES title Nobunaga's Revenge, Pokémon Conquest puts DS players in control of a young warlord and his linked Pokémon as they attempt to expand their kingdom by engaging in turn-based tactical combat. Gamers send their Pokémon into six-on-six battles, using their warriors' special abilities, and making sure to include a diverse group of characters to adjust to shifting battle conditions. Victories give players control of new castles, and unlock new warlords, new warriors, and new ways to train the nearly 200 included Pokémon. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Diner Dash meets Tapper, with an iCarly twist, as players join characters from Nickelodeon's hit show for wild time management action in iCarly: Groovy Foodie! When Sam gets into trouble at a hot dog stand, she and Carly are sentenced to serve 20 kinds of crazy customers wacky dishes, including spaghetti tacos, corn juice, and fladoodles. Five different Seattle locations find gamers interacting with familiar characters from the show, including Gibby, T-Bo, and Nevile Papperman, all while earning Bacon Bucks to purchase upgrades and specials abilities. ~ 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

This sequel to one of the earliest hits from the casual experts at PopCap Games comes to the DS for the first time with an exclusive multiplayer mode, new powers, and updated graphics in Zuma's Revenge! As always, players control a sphere-spewing frog through 60 levels and six boss battles, creating matches of three or more like-colored orbs. In addition to the classic "Adventure" mode, gamers can expand their experience with the "Iron Frog" endurance mode, the challenges of the "Daily Dungeon" mode, or the multiplayer action in the new "Versus" mode. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

This third entry in PopCap's pervasive puzzle series returns to the same match-three mechanic and stylus controls that made the first two games popular DS titles. Choose from eight game types designed to test your gem-matching abilities in various ways. Quest mode, for example, has you completing 40 consecutive puzzles, while lightning mode has you racing against time to clear as many gems as possible.

For those that want to just kick back and play without any restrictions, Zen mode will offer a relaxing respite with calming sounds, music, and backgrounds. Classic mode is the traditional game of Bejeweled with some new gems to encounter, and gamers can earn up to 65 badges by achieving certain milestones. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide