Upcoming 2011 Video Games for Older Kids

Picking out a video game for an older kid or "tween" can be difficult, especially if you're not a gamer. Older kids want a challenging game that's cool. Parents want to make sure the game is appropriate and not filled with gore or sexual themes. In the next few months of 2011, these five new games will be fun for E10+ crowd and their parents.

Portal 2 (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)
Once slated to be released in February, Portal 2 is now set for April 18. It's rated E10+. Players are Chell from the original game. She's woken up after being in stasis. The Aperture Science Center is overgrown and in a state of decay. GLaDOS gets reactivated during the game, begins to rebuild, and puts Chell through more tests. There is also a co-op campaign that's different from the single player. What's great about Portal is it appeals to every type of gamer. Older kids will feel challenged by the puzzles and find GLaDOS' dialogue hilarious.

Lego Star Wars III: Clone Wars (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, DS, PC, PSP)
The Lego video games are fantastic for older kids and adults love them too. The Clone Wars will feature many of the other Lego game favorites like puzzle solving and item collecting. The game does have new elements as well. There will be upgraded level builders and battle modes. Just like in other Lego games, there will be long list of characters available to unlock and play. There is still a co-op mode where two players can help each other through the levels. It will be released on March 22 and is rated E10+.

Lego Pirates of the Caribbean (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, DS, PC, PSP)
Releasing in May, it's just in time for the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie. The Lego version will include the first three films and On Darker Tides. There will be over 70 playable characters. The Lego games are loved for their off-beat humor. With a franchise like Pirates of the Caribbean, it's sure to include many funny moments. As with other Lego games, two players can explore the levels together. There's also free play mode that's available once a level is beaten. The rating is pending, but I'm sure it will be E10+, making it a great game for older kids.

PlayStation Move Heroes (PS3)
By using the Move motion control, players are PlayStation mascots Ratchet, Clank, Jax, Daxter, Sly and Bently. They must band together to fight off aliens. It's full of mini-games like Frisbee and bowling, with a twist. Instead of being at a virtual bowling alley, players need to maneuver a bomb. There is also some hand to hand combat with the aliens. Move Heroes seems like an exciting game older kids who are getting tired of the mini-game standards like Wii Sports will enjoy. It will be released on March 22 and is rated E10+.

WWE All Stars (PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PSP)
This wrestling video game is different from the annual Smackdown vs. Raw titles. It features arcade style gameplay and the wrestlers have an exaggerated appearance. All Stars boasts a nice mix of past and present wrestlers, from Andre the Giant to John Cena. There are no elements like rope breaks or count outs. This game presents the more over the top side of wrestling, with players pulling off crazy moves that aren't possible in the more realistic Smackdown vs. Raw. It will be released on March 29 and is rated T for teens. If your older kid loves wrestling, All Stars is an fun departure from the traditional WWE video games.

These five video games are great for older kids and their parents. They all feature co-op modes so families can play together. Whether your kid is into wrestling, puzzles, or Star Wars, these 2011 releases are sure to please them.

Sources:

http://www.thinkwithportals.com/

http://wii.gamespy.com/wii/lego-star-wars-iii-the-clone-wars/

Lego Pirates on ign.com

http://us.playstation.com/games-and-media/games/playstation-move-heroes-ps3.html

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/wweallstars/index.html