Mario Kart Wii

Media: Video Game

Asin:B000XJNTNS

Game System: Wii

Game Summary: All of Nintendos most popular characters are represented in this racing game. Players choose a character who each have special skill sets, and one of many racetracks and try to beat both the computer and up to three other players. Racetracks have several levels of difficulty, and as a player wins on different tracks, they "unlock" different characters and tracks. What makes Mariokart for the Wii so appealing is that players are able to play against their friends via an online connection.

Critical Evaluation: Mariokart is a fun, easy to use game that is great for all levels of gamers. This is a great programming game for teen centers at libraries because the game is so easy to pick up, but also provides a challenge for more advanced gamers. Teens should enjoy playing with characters that are familiar from other games, and choosing different characters based upon their skill set. Recommended for teens of all ages.

Reader's Annotation: Race against your friends with all of your favorite Nintendo characters.

Game System Information: The Wii gaming console uses new technologies to create the first physically interactive home gaming system. The Wii uses intuitive motion controls to make gaming more physical, and ultimately, easier to use than traditional gaming controllers. Wii offers a large variety of games geared towards all members of a family. Each Wii console comes with the game Wii Sports, an interactive game suitable for everyone.

Curricular Ties: N/A

Genre: Fantasy, Racing

Challenge issues: N/A

Interest Age: All Ages

Why I selected this piece: Mariokart is a fun game that is easy to pick up, and thus is a great game for all levels of gamers. A good game for a wide variety of teens.

Guitar Hero: Legends of Rock

Media: Video Game

Asin:B000TGB4UU

Game System: Wii

Game Summary: Gamers get to become the lead guitarist of a rock band as they play different popular rock songs with varying levels of difficulty. Gamers can choose easy, medium or hard in terms of level of difficulty, and each increasing level of difficulty adds a different button or "guitar string" for the player to pluck. Within each level, there are several different songs the player can choose, the easy songs are at the beginning of the list, and become more difficult as the player scrolls down the playlist.

Critical Evaluation:The game is fairly easy to grasp and can quickly become addicting as gamers master playing the guitar. There is enough of a leap between the levels to keep all levels of gamers happy. The creators of this game did a good job of choosing rock classics, and games of all ages should recognize many of the songs offered in this game. Highly recommended as a group game for a wide variety of casual and competitive gamers.

Reader's Annotation: Become a rock star and master all of your favorite rock hits.

Game System Information: The Wii gaming console uses new technologies to create the first physically interactive home gaming system. The Wii uses intuitive motion controls to make gaming more physical, and ultimately, easier to use than traditional gaming controllers. Wii offers a large variety of games geared towards all members of a family. Each Wii console comes with the game Wii Sports, an interactive game suitable for everyone.

Curricular Ties:Music History

Genre: Video Games, music

Challenge issues:N/A

Interest Age: Grades 6 and up

Why I selected this piece: This game is fun, easy to use, addicting, and uses a lot of great songs. A perfect teen party game.