Video games for children are changing fast, both how they are made and how they are sold. The trend towards tablet gaming continues as does the cross over between toys and video games. Then, of course, there is new gaming technology that offers new ways to play in the family like the Nintendo Switch. With Xbox One and PlayStation 4 now mature platforms there is also greater focus here on family and child-friendly game in those spaces too - Tricky Towers is a firm favourite on PlayStation. It all adds up to what can be a confusing and complicated array of choices for parents. To see the wood for the trees I’ve compiled a list of games that promise the best experiences for families in 2017, in addition to existing favourites like Lego Dimensions and Skylanders. The Nintendo Switch offers new ways to play. It’s a tablet looking device that plugs into a docking station to also work on a TV. Arms is an upcoming game for the new platform that plays a bit like Wii-Sports Boxing but now with high definition controls and a full campaign mode.
You control the action with the Switch’s Joy-Con motion controllers so it will get players up and active like the Wii. This will not only be popular with parents keen to see children exercise but also young players who will enjoy the exuberant battles. Buy Arms from Nintendo This combines the crafting and adventuring popularity of Minecraft with a fully brick based Lego world. Having been available on PC for some time, it now comes to PS4 and Xbox One. This not only grants access to families without a gaming computer setup but adds split screen play so parents and children can easily play together. Buy LEGO Worlds from Amazon This combines the popularity of toy-figure games like Skylanders with a game designed specifically for a tablet. The toys are made by Tomy and offer large articulated characters with an impressive array of interactions. The game-play is dungeon exploration a little like Runescape and there is also a physical card game that integrates with the on-screen action. This is a great combination of a toys-to-life video game for tablets where the toys are proper toys rather than static collectible figures.
Although not well know by younger families, the Zelda series has been going for 30 years. Breath of the Wild expands the game’s scope with a huge open world alongside the classic dungeon adventures and puzzles. This game is perfect to be played by parents and children together, taking turns to battle and progress through the dungeons. Releasing on both Wii U and Nintendo Switch it’s a great moment to discover how much Zelda has to offer as Nintendo’s new console launches. Buy Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild from GAME This year we have Super Mario Odyssey returning Mario to open world platforming fun. However it’s Yooka-Laylee that really goes back to the open world platforming roots. The game works on many levels for families, offering youngsters a bright and colourful world to explore. Older players can then progress through each level’s layered challenges as they work to find every collectible. It’s cute innocent fun packed full of mischief and fun (and puns). If you are looking for a game to share with your children this year Yooka-Laylee ticks the boxers and is available on most platforms.
Buy Yooka-Laylee on Steam Splatoon on the Wii U was a great non-violent alternative to older rated shooting games. Coming back on the Nintendo Switch, Splatoon 2 adds lots of maps, guns and modes to keep families happy. Add to this the Switch hardware’s ability to let you play at home or out and about and you have the makings of a winning formula. What’s more, if you have a bunch of friends with Switch consoles, you can get together and connect up to eight of them for family multiplayer fun. Buy Splatoon 2 from Amazon Recently announced Knack 2 promises to build on its popularity with younger players. The games is PlayStation 4 exclusive and offers a Pixar-style story adventure. The main protagonist is a magical robot that can grow larger using broken materials he finds around the levels. Knack 2 adds a full two player co-operative experience that will further ingratiate families with this endearing franchise. Although an exact release date is yet to be confirmed, Knack 2 is a game that is perfect for families.
This is a game for older members of the family but offers a unique way to play and interact in teams. Players control large pirate ships by each taking on different roles. These vessels are then taken to the high seas for battles. Battling pirate ships has been seen before but never with this level of detail and team-collaboration. It will be players who organise themselves well and plan their strategy that win here. Buy Sea of Theives on Amazon With all the Lego games coming out this year Lego City Undercover is easy to miss. This is an update of the Wii U game that combines a family friendly open city to explore with missions and story to discover at every turn. Parents will enjoy the game’s puns about classic films and kids will revel in the Lego missions and game-play. It’s the perfect Lego mix of fun and adventure for a wide range of ages. Buy Lego City Undercover from Tesco Direct Proving the growing importance of tablet and smartphone games to young players, Alto’s Adventures was a popular game where children tapped to control a down hill snowboarder.
This year we’ll see the sequel, Alto’s Odyssey. With only a few hints of the exact game play we’re yet to see it in full, but the art style and characters look to continue the first game’s look and feel. For young children this is a game that’s a lot of fun to play. But specifically for this game, such is the beauty of the art style that it will also appeal to parents as well. Legend of Zelda: Iron Knuckle Encounter Official LEGO Comments 4 [ MORE IMAGES OF THIS PROJECT ][ VIDEO SHOWING FUNCTIONS ]Another awesome project:[ Legend of Zelda: King of Red Lions ]UPDATE: Due to the fact that I believe it is absolutely necessary for a single new mold to be created for Link's Hat/Hair/Ears I have decided to donate the 1% of profit should this set be created, back to LEGO Cuusoo, to help pay for the new mold. Perhaps if Nintendo agrees to hand over the license for the Legend of Zelda IP They can make a small offer that will cover any remaining costs. I understand this is something that is very unlikely to happen but the worst I can get is a "No" Until then, I and currently 7500+ will hope for a "Yes".
INTRODUCTION:This is not the first LEGO Legend of Zelda (LoZ) set proposal. However with the recent dismissal of the first LEGO LoZ project I felt it necessary to keep the ideas flowing in hopes that by hard work and determination Legend of Zelda and LEGO fans will be able to merge the two things they love most. Since the reason the first one didn't make it through was because of too many custom molds and this one would really only need one for links hat. A new Shield and Sword mold would be ideal to depict the Zelda Franchise better but not completely necessary. Just the thought of a single official Link Minifigure would make so many LoZ inspired sets really come to life.Thank you for checking out my project and if you like the idea please support it!-WesHere is the front of the set complete with pots, skulls, and breakable pillars just like in the game.Here you can see the back of the set. After Link battles his way past the Iron Knuckle, the door slides open with a turn of the knob shown here, and a yellow light brick turns on above the door.
Behind the door Link finds a boss key.Here are the figures and accessories that come with the set.We have a very pose able brick-built Iron Knuckle, and a custom Link Minifigure. The Link Minifigure is not as high quality as I would like as the details are all hand painted rather than printed professionally and the head piece is made from sculpey and is not very smooth and prone to chipping, but you get the basic idea. For more detailed concepts on the Link Minifigure click on the link at the top of this page.Also I have gather 6 pots that hold two red rupees two green rupees and two pink healing fairies. And of course the treasure chest at the end holding a key to another dungeon. WHat other dungeon you ask? well that depends on what kind of dungeon you want to build!Here's a fun fact: When you put a rupee in a pot it sticks to the inside and doesn't come out when you turn it upside down. Even when you knock it against the table it still doesn't come out. In order to get the rupee to pop out you have to actually toss it at a hard surface much like Link does in the game and the rupee will come right out!