The first of the school year is rapidly approaching for students all across America, but the does not mean the fun has to end. Some great games for students are coming out just after the start of the new school year, and the list below contains the Top 5 can’t miss video game products of the year.
1.) Kinect (November 2010) – For the Xbox 360 a new next-generation no controller interface, where the game watches you and your physical actions control what is happening in the game. If you are a college student this is almost mandatory, a great way to get your floor or those cute co-eds on the floor above you to come over and hang out plus the drinking game implications possible with the Kinect are impressive. Kinect is also perfect for your preschoolers and elementary students, getting them off the couch and physical as they interact with such games as Kinectimals or Game Party in Motion. Not sure yet how the new controller system and games designed for it will appeal to a more mature high school student but I bet people of all ages are going to enjoy something Kinect has to offer. Kinect can also be pivotal in the lives of overweight students, especially if they find working out in a gym boring or intimidating, such games for the Kinect like The Biggest Loser Ultimate Workout and Your Shape: Fitness Evolved leaves zero excuse for any student not to get their weekly exercise even while playing video games.
2.) Rockband 3 (Oct. 26th) – I know, I know, I know, music games are dead, iPhones are everything, and Facebook and Twitter are the only web pages that matter. But for the rest of us that still enjoy using a phone to make calls, not tweeting to our wall that we are typing on the computer right now, and still love having fun while rocking out, Rockband 3 is genius. Every student needs music in their lives, now Rockband 3 teaches you how to play actual instruments as part of the game play! Want your kid to grow up like Jack White but without the make-up and pissed off disposition, buy him or her Rockband 3 along with the Rockband 3 Pro Wireless Guitar and stand back to watch your child’s imagination and creativity get unleashed. Rockband 3 will also be killer for college students as well, especially those with music skills; they can plug in the Rockband 3 Squire Stratocaster (a real guitar due out in the fall) and rock out the whole dormitory.
3.) Sony PS3 Move (September 19th) – Anything that can get your child off the couch and physical is a great concept, the Sony PS3 Move controller does just that. Not as innovative or earth shattering as the Kinect for Xbox 360, the Move offers two Wii like controllers that you manipulate your character on screen with. From the demos I saw in action at E3, it looks very accurate and versatile, and something game developers can easily design already existing titles for, something Kinect seems to be missing.
4.) Civilization V (Sept. 21st) – If your student is into PC games, this is the strategy game of the year, a double bonus for students because Civilization V takes pride in immersing you into the world’s rich history. This game is highly addictive and you won’t even realize you are learning about cultures, technologies, historical figures of significance, etc… as you play this game into the wee hours of the morning.
5.) iPad and iPhone / iPod games – Being able to bring your iPhone , iPod or iPad to class has a lot of bonuses, games being one of them. The number of games for the iPhone and iPad are growing each week, and there are even scholastic style games to choose from to help sharpen your skills away from the class room. For a great list of games available for the iPhone and iPod click here and click here for games for your iPad.
