.. and SM’s wish list, now that he is five, keeps growing. One of the things that he is really interested in getting this year are games for his (read: Dad’s) Wii.
With so many games out there, and the digital age being what it is, I of course went online to try and figure out which ones would be appropriate, not only for a five year old, but also for my 3 year old- SM’s partner in crime. Let me just say that the list of games out there is overwhelming… (Do we really need a game for EVERY movie that comes out… for real)
One of the sites I found that was really helpful was the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB). The ESRB is a non – profit group that assigns ratings for video and computer games as well as enforces advertising guidelines.
I found the site to be really easy to use and loved the fact that it lets you search by title, console (Wii, Xbox, etc.). The site also explains what the ratings on the game boxes – C, E, T, M, A – mean (Sorry Super Smash Bros. Brawl, your rated T for teen!). These are the rating symbols that you see on the front of most game boxes. In addition to rating the game, on the back of the game box, next to the rating symbol, they also provide content descriptors. These not only tell you what age the game may be best suited for but also what types of content in the game may have triggered that rating or could be of parental concern.
Another thing I found on their site that I liked was that they also have a list of online resources for us parents that aren’t “in the know” with video games. I found this to be really helpful, especially the link to the Parent’s Choice Foundation. When I went to this site I was able to see a list of games, by year, that had been recognized by other parents – including their ratings.
There are so many games out there and weeding through and finding which ones are appropriate for the boys can be overwhelming. It’s nice to know there are resources out there on our side, helping us make sure the content we share with our children is appropriate.
Thank you so much for this information!!! Now that our kids are older we get a BIG family gift under the tree Christmas morning from Santa
We've been looking at the Wii and this will help me so much!
This will be useful.. Jason has XBOX and wants the Wii (you know for his job.. ha ha… he has to keep in touch with these things)..whatever.
And apparently 6 is the crossroads of video gameing. The child either chooses to use adult equiptment of they go on to be video gaming inept.
So we MUST get a Wii.. now.. quick… before Jude turns 6.. quick….
Amie
lol. Marty bought ours for “work” too…..Good to know that’s the ‘real’ reason…
We want the Wii too. It looks fun, my boys told me that I “could” even play this.
Sheesh, I feel so old. LOL
Jillian