Educational video games for the Wii, DS and 360

[freethinkermom]

I bought some games that have turned out to be so great that we are making them a part of our normal schooling that I wanted to let others in the hive know about them. If anybody else has any, add them to the list!

For the Wii:

My Word Coach (also available for DS): Great vocabulary and spelling game. It adjusts to the players level and has several multi-player games.

For the DS:

My French Coach: Pre-tests and then starts at the appropriate level. For the complete beginner that would be numbers. It teaches vocabulary, grammar, listening, and pronunciation along with some facts about France. It also includes a phrase dictionary and a word dictionary. You can have up to three profiles on one game cartridge. I think there is also My Spanish Coach, but we do not have it.

Professor Layton and the Curious Village: Chock full of logic puzzles placed into a mystery story. There is a murder in the story, but it is more along the lines of Agatha Christie than anything gruesome. The game comes with 120ish puzzles to find and solve, and more can be downloaded weekly if you have wi-fi. There is a sequel in the works.
Xbox 360:

Rock Band: OK, so some might not agree with me here. DS11 has discovered a love of the drums because of this game. He started lessons and his teacher thinks it is good practice for him at home. We play as a family which is awesome.

[Herding Cats in NC]

Thanks for posting this! I have been thinking about getting Word Coach, but wasn't sure if it was any good. Sounds like it's worth a try! My kids have Brain Age 1 & 2. They don't use them all the time, but they've recently discovered the joys of Sudoku and like Brain Age for that.

[freethinkermom]

We like Brain age for the fun aspect, but I don't think it is really educational :)

Word Coach, though, is very educational. Like Brain Age it does have a certain amount that is supposed to be done daily, then a rest taken. In one week I am already seeing a big improvement in ds11's spelling.

[my2kidsmom]

Well, I just love the Wii. My kids play games (Wii Sports mainly) that really get your heat pumping. I can't wait for them to come out with more active games. I hear they are supposed to come out with Wii Fit. I'm not sure when though. It will come with a pressure-sensitive Wii Balance Board that you can use for the activities which will include aerobics, yoga, muscle stretches and games.

[EmilyK]

This is an old thread but thought I'd resurrect it rather than beginning a new one on the same topic. I'm always looking for educational things for the DS, but I have to say that it is hard to get my kids to play them as opposed to some of the more fun ones -- mostly because I'm not able to help them as effectively as I can on a computer for example, and so they end up pooping out on the educational ones that seem "hard".

But I'm thinking we'll get them a Wii for Christmas and I'm finding it overwhelming to sort out what games to buy, and I would like some educational ones to do with them. I know they'll end up wanting all the Lego ones, but those may end up coming over time from grandparents, etc, since I'm sure the educational use will be harder once the Lego games are on site. (I set limits, of course, but sometimes it is easier when something is not in the picture.) This is for 2 boys, 11 and 7.

Thoughts appreciated!

[plain jane]

There's 2 new games that are coming out this month that I've had my eye on: Th!nk Logic: Trainer (http://www.amazon.com/th-nk-Logic-Trainer-Nintendo-Wii/dp/B002DC8GT0/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1258048764&sr=8-7) It comes for both Wii and DS, as well as Th!nk Logic Trainer Kids (http://www.amazon.com/th-nk-Logic-Trainer-Nintendo-DS/dp/B002DC8GTK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1258048855&sr=1-1) for DS.

For ds, my dd plays Personal Trainer: Math (http://www.amazon.com/Personal-Trainer-Math-Nintendo-DS/dp/B001LNYM90/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1258048909&sr=1-1) when we are in the car, and I'm thinking of getting her a couple more math games for the DS, all of which are available on amazon. :)

[JudoMom]

How long does a session on My Word Coach take, on average? What ages (or reading level) would you say it's geared towards?

[JudoMom]

There's 2 new games that are coming out this month that I've had my eye on: Th!nk Logic: Trainer (http://www.amazon.com/th-nk-Logic-Trainer-Nintendo-Wii/dp/B002DC8GT0/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1258048764&sr=8-7) It comes for both Wii and DS, as well as Th!nk Logic Trainer Kids (http://www.amazon.com/th-nk-Logic-Trainer-Nintendo-DS/dp/B002DC8GTK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1258048855&sr=1-1) for DS.

For ds, my dd plays Personal Trainer: Math (http://www.amazon.com/Personal-Trainer-Math-Nintendo-DS/dp/B001LNYM90/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1258048909&sr=1-1) when we are in the car, and I'm thinking of getting her a couple more math games for the DS, all of which are available on amazon. :)

Oh, that Think Logic looks good. Thanks for the tip!

[plain jane]

I just saw two more titles that may be of interest: Learn Science (http://www.amazon.com/Learn-Science-Nintendo-DS/dp/B002HJ9UWQ/ref=pd_bxgy_vg_img_b) and Learn Geography (http://www.amazon.com/Learn-Geography-Nintendo-DS/dp/B0028Q7J9E/ref=pd_bxgy_vg_img_b). Both are for grades 1-4. Obviously neither would replace a solid curriculum, but I think I may have to sneak them into dd's stocking this year. :)

There is also Wordfish (http://www.amazon.com/Wordfish-Nintendo-DS/dp/B001H0OMME/ref=pd_sim_vg_4) and the BrainQuest games. We enjoy the BrainQuest cards here, so I think the games would be pretty good too.

Now I need to stay out of this thread before everyone here thinks my kiddos are videogame addicts. :tongue_smilie:

[EmilyK]

Thanks -- these all sound great!

[stripe]

Also I think Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree (http://www.amazon.com/Big-Brain-Academy-Wii-Degree-Nintendo/dp/B000OAO188/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1258069858&sr=8-1) (despite the goofy name) could be useful, as it's supposed to target "memory, analysis, number crunching, visual recognition, and quick thinking."

I also think the balance activities on Wii Fit could be useful, as coordination/balance seems to help with various learning-related brain functions.

[ktmo]

I just saw these that look pretty good.

http://www.amazon.com/My-Virtual-Tutor-Kindergarten-Nintendo-DS/dp/B002BZ11DM/ref=pd_bxgy_vg_text_b

http://www.amazon.com/My-Virtual-Tutor-Reading-Nintendo-DS/dp/B002BZ11F0/ref=pd_bxgy_vg_text_b

I have been trying to find some DS games that have a little educational value to them.