Nintendo Gamecube Games for Children Under Five

The ratings on video games vary. Some are rated 'E' which means they are suitable for everyone. That rating doesn't give you much insight as to whether or not your three or four year old can maneuver around the game. While the 'E' rated games do seem to be on the level of most small children, I have also discovered my preschooler can get pretty high on the levels of the Gamecube 'T' rated (teen) games as well.

Because toddlers cannot read the books that come with games, they are at the mercy of figuring things out versus reading an instruction booklet. These Nintendo Gamecube games are entertaining and less complex for younger gamers.

1. Super Mario Brothers Sunshine. Ok, so it comes with Gamecube, but it made the list because my son could maneuver around with very little help before he was 3. Besides, it's a cute game. However, if you bought your Nintendo Gamecube second hand, you may or may not have been given this game. If not, look for it at a game exchange, yardsale, or pawn shop. Some retail chains may still carry it as well.

2. Sonic Mega Collection. This game disc has seven games on it: Sonic the Hedgehog (all three of them), Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic 3-D Blast, Sonic Spinball, and Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine. Not only will it take a while before your child has played all seven of the games on the disc, but he or she still has to beat his or her older siblings at least once on each game. Trust me when I say they will.

3. Sonic Heroes. Another Sonic the Hedgehog game that is insanely easy for my preschooler, yet my teenage children can't seem to get as far up on levels. The Sonic the Hedgehog games tend to hold little ones' attention span longer.

4. Disney's Chicken Little. This game was released a little before Christmas time last year, and I had to look everywhere to find it. Not only is it adorable, but once again frustrating for my older children, and my preschooler smokes each one of them regularly when he "challenges" them to play Chicken Little. It's worth every cent.

5. Spiderman 2. This game has got great graphics and will keep the attention of any child that loves Spiderman. The rating on this one is T (teen), and my four year old once again is reining Gamecube champion in our house. It appears I have forgotten about Spiderman 1. I haven't, we just don't have the game. I was lucky enough to find Spiderman 2 (little kids don't care about sequence) for $5 when our Wal-Mart Super Center had a moving sale.

None of these games are technical or confusing. They each have good graphics and sound. All of them are simple to figure out by trial and error, especially since very small children can't read. These games don't even require cheats, as small children can level up with ease. None of these games are new releases, so there is a good possibility of finding them at a game exchange or yard sale for very little cost.