By Common Sense Media Games Editor, Jinny Gudmundsen

December 22, 2006

Is your house going to be popping at the seams with relatives and kids over the holidays? How do you keep everyone entertained? How can nephew Sammy (age 6) bond with Uncle Tom (age

The right video games allow both kids and adults to socially interact while playing. Whether it's by trash-talking while playing tennis on the new Nintendo Wii or cooperating to defeat the other team in soccer, video games can be a fun way to build cross-generational bonds. Here's a list of games that can be played by two, four, and sometimes up to eight people, and which can accommodate different levels of gaming skills.

1. Wii Sports (Nintendo, for the Wii system)
For Ages: 6-99
Who will enjoy it: Everyone -- old and young, gamers and non-gamers. Because the Wii controller is so intuitive, anyone can learn to play within seconds, and it isn't intimidating. The software offers five different sports: tennis, bowling, golf, baseball, and boxing. The tennis is particularly fun for a wide range of ages to play together -- all you have to do is swing the Wii controller like a real tennis racquet.

2. Big Brain Academy (Nintendo, for Nintendo DS)
For Ages: 8-99
Who will enjoy it: Both adults and kids together. It has 15 different puzzle-type games in which players compete for the best score. Because the games are played with a stylus on the DS touch-sensitive screen, even gaming neophytes can easily master the controls. And while you'd think that games that test logical thinking would be won by those who have the most age and wisdom, parents might want to ready themselves for an intellectual smack-down. Up to eight people can play using one software cartridge if they have that many DS units.

3. Donkey Konga (Nintendo, for GameCube)
For Ages: 9-99
Who will enjoy it: All ages, because it's a rhythm game played by beating on a controller that looks and sounds like a bongo drum. If you have enough bongo controllers, up to four people can jam at once.

4. Mario Kart (Nintendo, for Nintendo DS)
For Ages: 8-99
Who will enjoy it: Kids who like racing games. Up to eight players can race at a time, but each player needs a software cartridge and a DS unit. Mario and the gang offer frenzied gameplay as they cram two characters into a car so that one can drive while the other causes mischief for other racers.

5. Elite Beat Agents(Nintendo, for Nintendo DS)
For Ages: 10-99
Who will enjoy it: Anyone who enjoys rock 'n' roll music. Players tap to the beat of more than 19 songs as they use the stylus to earn points by keeping time with the music. Up to four players can play using one software cartridge and four separate DS units.

For the final 5 video games, visit the full article at:  http://www.commonsensemedia.org/parent_tips/commonsense_view/index.php?id=190 .