Winda Benedetti

For family game night at our house, my husband Richie and son Oz jump into the Wii game "Kirby's Return to Dreamland" together.

According to a recent study from the NPD Group market research company, 91 percent of kids in the U.S. between the ages of two and 17 are now gamers. But here is the surprising bit: The fastest growing group of young video game players is the toddler set — between two and five years old.

While some parents worry about whether playing video games is good for young children, I've found that gaming — when properly supervised and balanced with other activities — can be a great pastime not only for kids but for parents' relationship with their kids. Playing video games with your child is an absolute blast! It's a fun way to bond with your kid, plus it's a superb way to teach children some teamwork and puzzle-solving skills without ever letting on that you're actually, you know, teaching.

It just so happens that I have my own young gamer — my almost-five-year-old son Oz. He's been helping me test out some of the latest video games in an effort to find titles that are enjoyable and appropriate for kids four to 10. What you'll find below is a look at the pros and cons of seven games that are not only easy for young players to jump into, but are great for parents and kids to play together.

Kirby's Return to Dreamland – Wii - $50

Nintendo

Pros: Learning how to use video game controllers can be difficult for the youngest players, but this laid-back title — starring Nintendo's famous pink protagonist — is a fun, easy way to teach young hands to work buttons and a directional pad. The game is also downright adorable and relatively non-threatening for little players just trying to get the swing of things.

"Return to Dreamland" can be played by up to four people at a time which makes it a fantastic all-family game night option. Playing as Kirby and his pals, you and your children will need to use teamwork and cooperation as you to explore bright, colorful worlds and try to find the pieces of a lost spaceship that crash-landed on Kirby's planet, while fending off a host of relatively non-threatening foes in the process.

For this game, your child will turn Nintendo's Wii Remote controller on its side and use it as a traditional controller. And since this is a two-dimensional side-scrolling game, figuring out how to run, jump and fly the characters around the screen is fairly easy for kids to do. Meanwhile, the difficulty level ramps up veeery slowly, which means your child (and therefore you) won't get frustrated.

My son loves watching Kirby suck up his enemies to absorb their powers and is wowed by Kirby's new eye-popping, screen-filling Super Abilities. And when the going does get a bit tough, he can have his character jump onto my character's back for a piggy-back ride past the rough patches.

(It's worth noting that another excellent Kirby game to consider playing with young kids is last year's superb Wii game "Kirby's Epic Yarn.")

Cons: There really isn't much of a downside to this game other than the fact that seasoned, grown-up gamers familiar with Kirby's history may find this particular installment a bit too easy. But then again, this isn't about us is it?

Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster - Xbox 360 (Kinect required) - $50

Double Fine Productions

Pros: "Once Upon A Monster" offers everything a conscientious parent wants from a video game — non-violent gameplay that both activates the body and the mind. It also offers that delightful Sesame Street sensibility and, well, Elmo ... lots and lots of Elmo along with his adorable monster pals.

With the Kinect motion controller reading your child's body movements, this game acts as a kind of interactive story book throughout which your child meets various colorful characters and tries to help them solve the problems they're facing.

Winda Benedetti

Oz tries out his Kinect-enabled flying skills in "Once Upon A Monster."

To cheer up an unhappy monster, your child will make music by flapping their hands to bang on virtual drums. To help clean up a flower creature's garden, they'll hurl balls of virtual garbage into virtual garbage cans (as if tossing basketballs). And since the game features easy drop-in/drop-out cooperative play, mom and dad can jump into the action at any time.

Cons: The Kinect controller is often pitched as the perfect device for allowing young children to interact with games and virtual environments. After all, there's no controller to hold in tiny hands and no buttons or sticks to struggle with. And yet, my son ran into more controller-related frustrations with this game than any other on this list.

The thing is, little kids have a hard time standing in one place. They jump and flail their arms when they're relaxing. "Once Upon a Monster" asks kids to perform some pretty specific movements but frequently seemed to have a hard time reading my son when he performed them.

Be sure to take the time to make sure the Kinect is perfectly calibrated to your child's size (the game will walk you through the process). Meanwhile, urge your wiggle-worm to hold still a bit and try to focus on the specific gestures they need to execute to interact with the game. It may take some practice and some patience but the little whippersnappers learn very quickly.

Kinect Disneyland Adventures - Xbox 360 (Kinect required) - $50

Frontier/Microsoft

Pros: Imagine going to Disneyland — but a Disneyland without all the crowds and lines and cost ... not to mention the parental misery created by all three.

Welcome to a little game called "Kinect Disneyland Adventures." Sure, the Disneyland you'll find here is merely a digital recreation. But it is a pretty impressive digital recreation and one that you and your child can jump into and explore at your own pace.

Almost all of the Disneyland grounds have been recreated within this game and are ready to explore. With the Kinect camera reading your child's body motions, your kid makes an avatar to look like him or herself and then steers that avatar around the Disneyland grounds by pointing where she would like to go. She can run up to Mickey and give him a high five or give Snow White a hug. And these characters will send your child on various quests that will have them exploring the famed park.

Meanwhile, the rides are where the gaming action comes in. Head over to Peter Pan's Flight, where you and your child can fly through the air collecting coins or sword fight with Captain Hook. Step into the Matterhorn where you'll race bobsleds or ski down snowy hills.

The $50 lifetime ticket for you and your family to enter this virtual park will seem downright cheap compared to the hundreds of dollars a trip to the real Happiest Place on Earth will run you.

Cons: If you're not a fan of the Disney marketing machine, then this game is not for you.

Rayman: Origins - PlayStation 3; Xbox 360; Wii - $50 to $60

Ubisoft

Pros: One of the great joys of parenting is hearing your children laugh. And if you want to enjoy the sounds of your young gamer guffawing uproariously, then grab "Rayman: Origins."

Zany, crazy and hilarious not to mention utterly creative, "Rayman: Origins" is not only a delightful platforming game for up to four players, it is a gorgeous work of animated art.

My husband, son and I have been having an absolute blast playing this game together. Here Rayman and his friends have awoken a cranky granny and her minions with their snoring. And now you must run, jump, swing and fly through one surreal level after another, each filled with a colorful host of outlandish baddies to beat. My son unleashed the most splendid, unstoppable peals of laughter when we encountered the chicken-headed boss pictured above.

Kids will love this game because it is silly in all the best ways. Adults will love this game because each level is a cleverly constructed work of gaming art. (See In-Game editor Todd Kenreck's full video review at right.)

Cons: This game will grow more demanding for the very youngest players far more quickly than something like "Kirby's Return to Dreamland" and will have them facing down more intense challenges than some young kids may be ready for. But it's worth noting that, if a child fails to get past a particularly difficult part in the game while playing with a parent or older sibling, he or she will find his character popped into a bubble that floats safely along until another player pops him out to rejoin the action at a more manageable point.

Medieval Moves: Deadmund's Quest - PlayStation 3 (Move controls required) - $40

Sony

Pros: My son loves both skeletons and swashbuckling tales of sword fighting, so perhaps it's no wonder he's a huge fan of "Medieval Moves." This game puts young players in the role of the boy Prince Edmund who finds himself transformed into a skeleton and thrust into a battle against a nefarious sorcerer and his army of undead.

Skeletons? Army of undead? Well, yes. "Deadmund's Quest" may sound scary but it is cartoony as can be. The story of Prince Edmund-turned-Prince Deadmund is presented in comic-book-style cut scenes and the bad guys are more goofy than they are blood-curdling. Meanwhile, this is an "on rails" game, which means your child doesn't have to worry about maneuvering Deadmund around this world. Instead, the hero is whisked through the medieval-themed environments almost as if on a roller-coaster ride. All your young player has to do is focus on knocking out the bad guys.

Since this game uses the PlayStation 3's Move motion controllers, kids get to do battle with a host of skeletons by swinging the orb-topped wand controller like a sword, or drawing it out like they would a bow and arrow. And the Move controls here work superbly. They are highly responsive and my son found the gestures and button presses easy to get the hang of.

The Move controls really pull young players right into what is nothing short of a thrilling adventure. And the multiplayer modes mean that we parents can jump in and try our own sword-swinging, arrow-shooting skills alongside our young companions.

Cons: Each youngster is different and you should consider whether doing battle with skeletons — no matter how bloodless and cartoony those battles are — is something that will thrill your child ... or scare 'em. This game may be most appropriate for slightly older kids (think seven to 10).

Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure - Xbox 360; PlayStation 3; Wii; Nintendo 3DS - $70

Activision

Pros: This title blends two things that kids love into one bright, enjoyable package. That is, it combines real-world toys with video gaming.

The starter pack comes with the game disc, three Skylander figurines — Spyro, Trigger Happy and Gill Grunt — and a plastic Portal of Power peripheral that you plug into the game console. Fire up the game disc and then pop an action figure onto the Portal of Power and suddenly an animated version of that action figure appears inside the game.

You and your child will take these characters on a colorful, humor-filled quest to save the Skylander world from the evil powers of Kaos. Each of the different action figures has unique powers and abilities and your child will need to think about how to best use these unique strengths to conquer the challenges and puzzles they face.

It really is pretty neat to swap these toys on and off the portal and see them pop into and out of the video game on the fly. Meanwhile, the more your child plays the game with a certain character, the more that character is upgraded with additional powers and abilities. And here's another cool bit: All those upgrades are uploaded to an RF chip in the matching action figure. What that means is, your kid can take their own action figures over to a friend's house and, even if that friend has the game on a different kind of game console, your child can pop their figurines onto their friend's Portal of Power and play the game with all their own characters' unique upgrades and customizations intact.

Cons: The $70 price tag for the starter kit is steep to begin with, but you may end up spending even more money than that. While the "Skylanders" game can be won with just the three initial characters, there are actually 32 Skylander figurines in all to collect (i.e. buy for around $8 a piece) and these additional characters unlock additional challenges and additional areas within the game.

My son was perfectly happy with the initial three action figures, but that doesn't mean every kid will feel the same. The more your child delves into this "Skylanders" adventure, the more you may hear them beg "I want more."

Fruit Ninja Kinect - Xbox 360 (Kinect required) - $10 download via Xbox Live

Pros: I cannot tell you the joy that "Fruit Ninja Kinect" has brought to our household ... and to our son's bedtime routine. Simply put: There is no better way to wear out your kid to the point that he or she has no strength left to fight sleep. 

"Fruit Ninja Kinect" (which I reviewed in full here) takes the gameplay found in the hit smartphone/tablet game and puts it up on your TV via Xbox Live and Kinect. Rather than swiping your finger across a touchscreen to slash fruit that's tossed up into the air, the Kinect camera keeps track of your body movements as you swing your arms and legs to cut down pineapple, kiwi, bananas and other nefarious foods.

This game was not made specifically for children, but it certainly brings out the child in everyone who plays it. More importantly: It's easy for children to jump into and I can promise you, their enthusiasm for the fruit-slashing ninja arts is a joy to behold.

The multiplayer mode is especially enjoyable to play with young kids. Sure, you can play it competitively, but there's also a cooperative mode that allows you to work together as you slash your way to a joint high score. And there's nothing like conquering evil fruit to bring you closer to your adorable rugrat.

Cons:  The menu screens are very sensitive to motion and can be difficult for wiggly children to navigate, so you might need to help them get things started. Meanwhile, the difference in an adult's height and a small child's height can make it so the Kinect camera has a difficult time fully reading both players' movements. I suggest you have Kinect calibrate to your child (giving them the best game experience) and then play on your knees beside them.

Also be absolutely sure you give each other enough room when you play together — otherwise, with all those flailing arms, someone is liable to get a karate chop to the nose.

For more game news and holiday buying guidance, check out:

• 5 great games to play with the whole family
• Ready to play? 91 percent of kids are gamers
• Geeky gifts for the gamer in your life
• 5 great games for the art lover

Winda Benedetti writes about games for msnbc.com. You can follow her tweets about games and other things here on Twitter or join her in the stream here on Google+.  And be sure to check out the In-Game Facebook page right here.

ThinkGeek

Have a gamer you're trying to buy the perfect gift for this holiday? We have some great/goofy ideas for you.

The gamer in your life has probably already given you an extensive list of the many video games he or she would love to find wrapped up in a gift box this holiday season.

But there's more to life than just video games. Or rather, what I mean to say is ... when it comes to giving gifts to gamers, I've been thinking outside the box.

What follows is a look at some fun, if not downright goofy game-themed toys, trinkets, odds and ends sure to put a smile on the face of the game enthusiast you know and love.

Portal 2 Aperture Laboratories Shower Curtain - $20, ThinkGeek

ThinkGeek

What gamer doesn't love the "Portal" games? More importantly, what gamer wouldn't appreciate a little something to help inspire them to belt out that beloved "Portal" tune "Still Alive" while showering in the morning?

You'll be happy to know that this "Portal 2"-themed shower curtain "contains less than 1% mercury" and is most likely not radioactive. Though, as the sales pitch suggests, you might want to consider wearing your lead underwear when you're behind this curtain ... just to be safe.

Speaking of neat-o "Portal"-themed gift ideas, check out these Portal bookends as well as this Portal 2 Cave Johnson Talking Portrait. In fact, here's a handy link to all of ThinkGeek's Portal-themed gift items.

iCade iPad Arcade Cabinet – $80, ThinkGeek

Know someone who'd enjoy playing some old-school Atari games on their new-school iPad ... but may not be too excited about the touch-screen interface? The iCade cabinet offers an eye-catching, retro-cool solution.

Download this Atari's Greatest Hits app, then simply slide the original iPad or iPad 2 into this desktop-sized cabinet and fire up retro hits like "Centipede," "Asteroid," "Missile Command," "Tempest" and loads of other old-school faves.

Meanwhile, for a slightly less expensive way to add joystick controls to your iPad games, check out the $18 Joystick-It iPad Arcade Stick.

Video game controller charms - $7, Etsy.com 

Etsy/Outpost8

Here's a surefire way to charm the girl (or boy) gamer in your life. These hand-made charms come in the shape of Sega Genesis, Wii, PlayStation, NES, Xbox 360 and Atari controllers. But the seller — Alia B. at Outpost8 — says she can custom make other controller charms as well.

Lootiful.com

iPWN! 4 Case - $18, Lootiful.com
Here's a little something for the Nintendo/Apple fanboy or fangirl in your life. The iPWN! 4 case transforms your iPhone into an old-school Game Boy – at least on the outside. Lootiful also offers a silicone model and is taking pre-orders for a case that turns your iPad into a giant Game Boy.

Meanwhile, you can find a couple of similar offerings over at Etsy. Check out this hand-sewn Game Boy-themed iPad case ($50).

Etsy/DigitalSoaps

Game controller soaps — prices vary, Etsy
Does someone you know spend too much time playing "Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim" and too little time taking care of, oh, personal hygiene? Well, here's the perfect gift (and not-so-subtle hint) for that particular gamer in your life.

Etsy seller DigitalSoaps offers a variety of scented soaps in the shape of various game controllers. There's the NES controller ($11) and the PlayStation 3 controller ($22) as well as soap in the shape of an Xbox 360 ($9).

And speaking of nifty controller-themed items on Etsy, check out these very cool controller ornaments ($30).

Jinx.com

T-shirts, T-shirts, T-shirts - prices vary
Whether the gamer in your life adores "Minecraft," "Warcraft" or "Starcraft," you can't go wrong with a gift that lets them wear their love of gaming on their sleeve (literally).

Several websites offer a variety of gamer T-shirts and clothing items. Check out the "Minecraft" tees at Jinx.com, the 8-Bit Dynamic Life shirt at ThinkGeek, or the various video-game-themed tees at Splitreason, SharkRobot and Threadless.

And if T-shirts aren't quite their thing, how about these gamer socks and undies. 

Zynga/Best Buy

FarmVille plush toys - $10, Best Buy
Speaking of game addictions, surely the "FarmVille" player in your life will love you for making their Facebook gaming habit just a little bit more tangible with these collectible "FarmVille" toys.

"FarmVille" creator Zynga has partnered with Best Buy to sell a series of eight plush farm animals. And the good news for the gamer you'll gift these trinkets to is that each plush animal unlocks an exclusive virtual animal within the Facebook game and comes with 10 Farm Cash to use in the game as well.

Angry Birds: Knock on Wood - $30, various retailers

Rovio/Mattel

Here's a painless way to ease the "Angry Birds" addict in your life away from playing the game on their smartphone or tablet ... and into playing it with you out here in the so-called real world.

That's right, the hit game app has been turned into an officially licensed board game complete with bird-flinging sling-shot, building blocks and tiny pig enemies to knock down. But no matter how hard you try, you won't be able to download this game. You'll find it at retailers such Amazon, Target or ToysRUs.

ThinkGeek

Pac Man Plush Hat - $30, ThinkGeek

It's cold outside. This hat is warm. This hat is awesome. This hat is also ... a little creepy. Surely, someone you know and love should have this hat.

For more holiday gift ideas for the gamer in your life, check out these stories:

• 5 great games for people who love a good story
• 5 great games for the art lover
• 5 great games to play with the whole family
• Black Friday games you've got to grab

Winda Benedetti writes about games for msnbc.com. You can follow her tweets about games and other things here on Twitter or join her in the stream here on Google+.  And be sure to check out the In-Game Facebook page here.

Rockstar Games

Whether the gamer on your shopping list enjoys a good crime saga, a swashbuckling adventure or an epic medieval tale, here are some of the video games that scratch the narrative itch.

Whether it’s the history-spanning tale of an assassin and his family or an elaborate narrative about a medieval kingdom plagued by civil war and dragons, some of this year’s best video games feature enthralling stories deftly told.

If the gamer in your life (and on your shopping list) loves a good yarn, here are some games that would make excellent gifts for them this holiday.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim — PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Rated M, $60

Bethesda

The epic medieval role-playing game "Skyrim" is so full of story you could spend months on end trying to get to the bottom of it all. Just to start with, there is the enthralling main story to dive into — a tale about a kingdom in the grips of a civil war during a time when dragons have also suddenly reappeared. You, of course, play the protagonist — the "dragonborn" hero whose coming was foretold.

But there is so much happening beyond this main plotline it's hard to know where to start. The numerous side quests are filled with tales of intrigue, treachery and adventure of all sorts. Want a vampire story? It's in there. How about a story about werewolves? That too.

And as if that wasn't enough, throughout this digital world you'll find books to read that tell the tales of various people and various events that have happened during Skyrim's history. This library alone could keep you occupied for days or weeks on end.

If you know someone who enjoys George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" books, then it's a good bet "Skyrim" will be a big hit with them.

Assassin’s Creed: Revelations — PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC, Rated M, $50

Ubisoft

If the gamer on your holiday shopping list is the kind of person who'd enjoy an epic story that weaves the past and present together into one thrilling, history-and-globe-spanning adventure — then look no further than this fourth game in the "Assassin's Creed" main series.

"Revelations" drops players into an ambitious tale about a man and two of his ancestors caught up in an ancient war between the Templars and the Assassins. It's a story that's set both in modern times as well as in ancient Constantinople.

Part historical epic, part sci-fi brain bender, "Revelations" delivers a story filled with vibrant characters and an abundance of big ideas. In short, it's the kind of story you'll happily lose yourself in.

L.A. Noire — Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, Rated M, $40

Rockstar Games

Murder, betrayal, drugs and corruption — the open-world action adventure known as "L.A. Noire" has all of this in spades plus a cool old-school 1947 Los Angeles setting that just begs to be explored.

The game drop you into the shoes of a cop returned from World War II — a cop who must try to get the bottom of a series of crimes using his wits, his observational skills and his ability to get information out of people.

This is a story filled to the brim with unique, well-drawn characters stunningly rendered thanks to some amazing motion-capture technology and superb voice acting. In fact, "L.A. Noire" does such a good job weaving an intrigue-filled tale in the gritty film noir style that, earlier this year, it became the first video game ever screened at the Tribeca Film Festival.

If you know someone who loves the film noir detective movies of the 1940s and 50s or the old hardboiled crime novels, then this game is a must for them. 

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception — PlayStation 3, Rated T, $60

Naughty Dog

For those looking for a big, cinematic storytelling and gaming experience, the latest in the "Uncharted" franchise is sure to fit the bill.

This swashbuckling tale sweeps players up into the globe-trotting, treasure-hunting adventures of Nathan Drake — a modern-day Indiana Jones if ever there was one. This time around, players find Drake heading into the Arabian Desert on the hunt for the fabled city of Ubar — also known as the "Atlantis of the Sands."

Of course, there are plenty of twists, turns, narrow misses, intrigue and even a little romance along the way ... making it so this game is nothing but pure adventure-filled fun.

Legend of Zelda:  Skyward Sword — Wii, Rated E10+, $50

Nintendo

Speaking of adventure-filled fun ... there's nothing like experiencing a story that sweeps you up and takes you along on an epic voyage. And that's exactly what "Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword" does ... while tossing in some top-notch Wii Motion Plus sword fighting to boot.

What's especially cool about this tale is that it's an origin story that not only takes us along on an enthralling journey with childhood friends (and Nintendo favorites) Link and Zelda but reveals the land of Hyrule's past.

The game's film-like cinematics do much to help deliver a narrative that's full of magical, family-friendly adventures and lively characters as well as some truly heartfelt moments.

Of course, this is just a short list of games that feature top-notch stories. What do you think: Which games would you recommend for someone who likes a well-told tale?

For more holiday shopping recommendations, be sure to check out:

• Geeky gifts for the gamer in your life
• 5 great games for the art lover
• 5 great games to play with the whole family
• Black Friday games you've got to grab

Winda Benedetti writes about games for msnbc.com. You can follow her tweets about games and other things here on Twitter or join her in the stream here on Google+.  And be sure to check out the In-Game Facebook page here.

Nintendo

Talk about 3-D. The racing karts from "Mario Kart 7" are more real than they might appear.

Nintendo's beloved, madcap "Mario Kart" racing franchise is known for its zany race cars, even zanier power-ups and for delivering nothing but high-speed, high-octane fun.

With the new "Mario Kart 7" game about to launch for the Nintendo 3DS, the game company has launched a new TV advertisement imagining what it might be like if we could really jump into the game's wacky cartoon karts and race them against our friends on colorful courses that seem almost real.

The ad itself is a pretty nifty blend of the real world and the animated one. Check out the below video for yourself.

But what's really cool, is catching a glimpse of how the ad was made ... and realizing that they used real, fully operational karts plucked from the game design when they shot the video. California-based stunt driving company Drivers Inc. posted the following behind-the-scenes footage from the shoot:

If only Mario's real-world kart also came with a real-world pop-out hang glider. I'd run right out and buy myself one. Alas, it looks like we'll have to stick to flying cars in "Mario Kart 7" which officially launches Dec. 4.

(Thanks to GameSetWatch for the heads up.)

For more game news, check out:

• 5 reasons to leap into 'Super Mario 3D Land'
• 5 great games for people who love a good story
• PETA attacks Nintendo over fur-wearing Mario

Winda Benedetti writes about games for msnbc.com. You can follow her tweets about games and other things here on Twitter or join her in the stream here on Google+.  And be sure to check out the In-Game Facebook page here. 

Supergiant Games

Some of this year's best video games are interactive works of art.

With all the big shooting and action games that have launched in recent weeks, it can start to seem like this holiday's video game offerings are all about big explosions and even bigger body counts.

But this holiday, if you're looking for the perfect gift to give the gamer in your life who appreciates something a little more ... let's say cerebral ... there are plenty of excellent options out there to choose from.

Here are five great games for those who appreciate the arts ... not to mention, those who appreciate video games as an art form.

El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron — PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Rated T, $30

Ignition Entertainment

This shape-shifting, eye-popping action/platforming game is one that dares to take risks. And while it occasionally trips and stumbles while bravely marching to its own beat, it certainly offers up a genuinely unique gaming experience so full of artistry that it will leave players entranced.

How unique is this game? Well, to start with, "El Shaddai" is inspired by the ancient Jewish work called the Book of Enoch (hardly your standard video game foundation). And as it weaves a dreamy, otherworldly story about heaven, hell, angels and mankind it moves between 2-D and 3-D gaming styles. You've got side-scrolling areas mixed with more free-roaming spaces. Meanwhile, its highly stylized visuals — which change in tone throughout the course of the game — are absolutely magnificent to behold.

Yes, the story — a decidedly modern and abstract interpretation of an ancient work — can be difficult to follow at times, and the combat can be repetitive. Still, "El Shaddai" earns high marks for daring to be different.

LittleBigPlanet 2: Special Edition — PlayStation 3, Rated E, $60

Media Molecule

It's been three years since the first "LittleBigPlanet" game debuted, making everyone who saw it gasp in wonder at a hand-crafted world that it seemed you could reach out and touch. When "LittleBigPlanet 2" launched earlier this year, the crafty, whimsical art style dazzled everyone yet again while the 2-D platforming and puzzle-solving proved to be even more inventive and thrilling than ever.

Adorable Sackboy returns to "LittleBigPlanet 2" to traverse worlds that seem stitched together from real fabrics, yarns and cardboard cutouts. Meanwhile, as with the original game, the sequel gives players the tools to create their very own video game levels. But more importantly, "LBP 2" greatly expands on the kind of games players can create. That's right, here's your chance to play game developer by building racing games, role-playing games, arcade games, etc. ... all within the game of "LittleBigPlanet 2." (Check out In-Game editor Todd Kenreck's video review at right.)

Meanwhile, the newly released "LittleBigPlanet 2: Special Edition" adds the option of using Sony's Move motion controls with the game and bundles in loads of bonus content including lots of new levels.

All in all, "LittleBigPlanet 2" is an excellent game for the player who not only appreciates the artistry of others ... but likes to get creative themselves.

Bastion — PC, Xbox 360, Rated E10+, $15

Supergiant Games

This bright, imaginative game from the small team at Supergiant Games will absolutely delight both your eyes and your ears while digging its addictive action/role-playing talons right into your gamer heart.

A wonderfully original game full of intriguing characters, "Bastion" tasks players with traversing a world that has been shattered into a series of floating islands. You'll have to search for survivors and fight strange beasts, customizing weapons and building your powers along the way.

But what really makes this game pop are the gorgeous hand-painted environments that literally rise and fall into place at the feet of your character as you explore, not to mention the gripping, distinctive narration that tells you the story of your game step-by-step as you play it.

From narrative, to art style, to gameplay, "Bastion" is a joy to behold on every level. (Check out In-Game editor Todd Kenreck's video review at right.)

Meanwhile, because this is a downloadable game, you'll want to gift the Xbox version to your favorite gamer using Xbox Live or an Xbox Live points card (available at many retail outlets). And you can gift the PC version through one of these online game services:  Steam, GamersGate, Origin, Green Man Gaming, Direct2Drive, and OnLive.

Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet – Xbox 360, Rated E, $15

Shadow Planet Productions

Created by Fuelcell Games in collaboration with artist/animator Michel Gagne ("The Iron Giant," "Horton Hears a Who"), "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet" acts as both a 2-D side-scrolling game filled with brainy puzzles as well as an eye-grabbing piece of interactive art.

Here players navigate a tiny ship as they traverse this bizarre, wondrous world drawn from Gagne's mind — a world at once full of vibrant colors and yet veined with deep, eerie blacks. With various tools at your disposal, you'll find yourself exploring, shooting and puzzle-solving — that is, if you can tear your eyes away from simply watching the thing unfold.

"Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet" was inspired by a set of creepy-cool animated interstitials that Gagne created for Nickelodeon. You can check them out here. And you can check out more of Gagne's work at his website here. Meanwhile, check out Todd Kenreck's video review above.

If you want to give an insanely twisted gift this holiday, head over to Xbox Live or pick up an Xbox Live points card for the gamer on your list. (They make great stocking stuffers, by the way).

Child of Eden — PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Rated E10+, $40

Q Entertainment

Speaking of interactive art ... the trippy "Child of Eden" is a sensory sensation, not to mention a game to show people who have yet to understand the artistry and creativity found within the video gaming medium.

"Child of Eden" is a lush blend of electronic music, trance-inducing visuals and target-shooting gameplay. The game sends players on a journey to revive the persona of the first human born in space in an online archive of human memories known as Eden. But you'll have to rid the archives where these memories live of a virus that has invaded.

Created by Tetsuya Mizuguchi — the man behind the similarly trippy cult hit "Rez" — "Child of Eden" is a gorgeous explosion of sound and color. You can play it either with a standard controller, the Kinect motion controller on the Xbox 360 or the Move motion controls for the PlayStation 3. I highly recommend using the motion controls to those who want to fall right into this moving piece of game art.

For more holiday shopping and video game news, check out:

• 5 great games for people who love a good story
• 5 great games to play with the whole family
• Kinect will read lips, join with Sony TVs?
• Kinect gets a makeover for PCs
• Five tips for getting the most out of 'Skyrim'

Winda Benedetti writes about games for msnbc.com. You can follow her tweets about games and other things here on Twitter or join her in the stream here on Google+.  And be sure to check out the In-Game Facebook page right here.

Microsoft

According to the (very busy) rumor mill, the next version of the Kinect controller will be able to read and interpret even the smallest of your body's movements.

It seems that in recent days, some folks who claim to know a little something about the future of Kinect have had a lot to say about what’s in store for the device that reads the movements of your body and the sound of your voice.

For starters, according to unnamed sources who spoke to Eurogamer, the next generation of Kinect will be able to read the movement of your body (specifically your mouth) with such precision that it'll be able to lip-read.

Not only will Microsoft's device be able to understand the flapping of your lips, the source says Kinect 2 will be so powerful that I'll be able to detect your emotional state by tracking the pitch and volume of your voice as well as your facial characteristics.

Eurogamer's source says the next Kinect will come bundled with the next Xbox — which the rumor mill most recently pegged at launching in 2012.

While a recent report from the Digital Foundry/Gamesindustry.biz found the likelihood of a 2012 new Xbox launch unlikely, its own sources confirmed a new Kinect was in the works and would be "a significant upgrade" from the current device. Their sources also suggest there is "a very strong likelihood" that Kinect would come bundled with the next Xbox machine ... or rather, machines.

The Gamesindustry's sources suggest that Microsoft will launch two significantly different new Xbox models — a cheaper, pared-down machine "positioned more along the lines of a set-top box ... and perhaps as a Kinect-themed gaming portal," as well as a more expensive "fully-featured machine with optical drive, hard disk and backward compatibility aimed at the hardcore."

As if that wasn't enough rumor grist to chew on, in other Kinect-related scuttlebutt, The Daily says it has spoken to "sources familiar with the subject" who tell them that Microsoft is planning to integrate Kinect into the next generation of TV sets.

According to their sources, Microsoft is in the early stages of licensing Kinect technology to television hardware manufacturers like Vizio and Sony. Yes, Sony. As in the Microsoft rival responsible for the PlayStation 3 game machine. (Msnbc.com is a joint venture of Microsoft and NBCUniversal.)

The sources say that Kinect-enabled TVs would likely network with PCs running the next version of Windows so that viewers could control their TV programming with gestures (much like Kinect already allows Xbox 360 owners to do with their Netflix and Zune programming.)

But really. Sony? In some ways this rumor seems a bit ... off. Yes, Sony is a giant, sprawling entity and Sony Electronics is separate from the gaming-related Sony Computer Entertainment. But it wasn't that long ago that the rumor mill claimed Sony was working on its own Kinect-like controller — which makes far more sense.

But there is a lot that rings true about this Kinect/TV rumor. For starters, Microsoft clearly wants to see Kinect technology spread far and wide and well beyond Xbox gaming (note their soon-to-launch Kinect for Windows program). And integrating Kinect with TV sets would certainly help better position Microsoft to spar with Google TV and the rumored plans for Apple TV.

For more tech and game news, check out:

• Kinect gets a makeover for PCs
• Five great games to play with the whole family
• Steve Jobs' vision for Apple TV set lingers
• Apple TV may add online gaming

Winda Benedetti writes about games for msnbc.com. You can follow her tweets about games and other things here on Twitter or join her in the stream here on Google+.  And be sure to check out the In-Game Facebook page here.

Sony/Insomniac Games

The family that games together, stays together. This holiday, Ratchet & Clank and crew can help show you how.

It's official. The holidays are upon us. And you know what that means: In the coming weeks you and your kinfolk will have ample time to sit cooped up together in one house for way too long.

It’s during these desperate times that you will search for something to keep the people related to you amused (and from strangling each other). And in these moments, a video game can be the perfect rescue.

Much like the board and card games of yore, video games can be a great way to pass the time with the entire family. They can offer everyone a chance to connect, a chance to laugh and, most importantly, a chance to totally crush one another in bit of friendly competition.

The members of your extended family don't play games, you say? Pshaw! They simply need a gentle and amusing introduction. Here are five video games to play with the whole fam damily.

Microsoft

1. Kinect Sports: Season Two — Xbox 360 (Kinect required) $50
Here's a good way to burn off all the calories from the turkey or figgy pudding that you and your fam just packed away ... and all without actually having to brave the freezing weather outside.

With this follow-up to last year's "Kinect Sports" game, Microsoft delivers another solid package of sporty mini-games that the whole gang can jump into using the motion-and-voice-sensing powers of Kinect.

This time around you'll play mini-games based around the real-world sports of golf, darts, tennis, baseball, skiing and football. With Kinect watching your every move, you'll pantomime the actions you'd really use when playing these games — swing your arms to swing a bat in the baseball game, lean side-to-side to ski your way down a digital snow hill, etc.

It's nothing but good fun for everyone ... and you might even break a sweat.

Extra! Extra! Sports mini-games for the family have been a staple of motion-controlled gaming for years now. If you don't have an Xbox 360, grab "Wii Sports Resort" for the Wii or "Sports Champions" for the PlayStation 3. Since both games are a year or more old, you'll find them at some nicely discounted prices.

Harmonix

2. Dance Central 2 — Xbox 360 (Kinect required) $50
You know what they say: The family that dances together stays together. That, or maybe it's the family that laughs together stays together. I dunno, but either way, both apply when it comes to this game.

The great thing about "Dance Central 2" is that you can have two left feet and still enjoy this game in which you pit your dance skills (or lack thereof) against those of friends and family. Like the original "Dance Central," this sequel uses the Kinect motion controller to read the movements of your entire body as you try to follow choreographed dance routines performed by a colorful array of characters on the screen.

You'll perform some sweet moves with names like "Say What," "Hot Feet" and "Mad Dash" to songs from Daft Punk, Lady Gaga, Sir Mix-A-Lot and yes ... even Justin Bieber. And, believe it or not, you may actually improve your dance skillz along the way.

The game's developer has made numerous improvements to this sequel — the most important one being that two players can dance at the same time. Also, the game now features a beefed-up "break it down" mode for teaching players each move. You can now select specific dance moves to work on, view each move in slow motion, and even record yourself dancing and see how you do compared to your on-screen instructor.

Leave your ego at the door, toss back some eggnog (spiked for the grown-ups) and put this game into your Xbox 360. The whole family will soon be doing the "Board Walk" and the "Beauty Step" ... and having a blast the entire time.

Extra! Extra! If dance games are up your family's alley but you don't own an Xbox, check out "Everybody Dance" for the PlayStation 3 and "Just Dance 3" for the Wii, PS3 and Xbox 360.

Magic Pixel Games

3. Carnival Island — PlayStation 3 (Move controls required) $40
If the members of your family aren't big video game players — or if they're simply not the dancing kind — then try easing them into things with this collection of motion-controlled, carnival-themed mini-games.

Everyone's been to a circus or a fair, and this PS3 game simply brings the midway to your living room. Using Sony's Move motion controls, you can compete against each other at games based on familiar real-world midway games such as skee-ball, ring toss and basketball shoot. Up to four people can play "Carnival Island" at one time and it features more than 35 games and attractions in total.

Yes, seasoned gamers will note that this is not the deepest or most impressive video game you'll find out there. But it does a really great job showing off the accuracy of Sony's Move controls and it's an easy one for everyone from junior to Gramps to jump right into.

Extra! Extra! If motion-controlled mini-games are up your family's alley but you don't own a PS3, consider the similarly carnival-themed "Carnival Games: Monkey See, Monkey Do!"  for the Xbox 360 or "Wii Play: Motion" for the Wii. 

Hasbro/EA

4. "Family Game Night 4: The Game Show" — Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii, $40
Speaking of easing your family members into the world of video gaming with something familiar, "Family Game Night 4: The Game Show" takes traditional gaming, crosses it with motion-controlled video gaming and tosses in some easy-to-pickup game show action to boot.

Here traditional games like Connect 4, Yahtzee and Scrabble are given the motion-control twist. For example, Connect 4 becomes a motion-controlled basketball game in which you must toss your colored-pieces into vertical and horizontal lines of four as fast as you can, trying to beat your opponent both with throwing accuracy and strategy.

Again, this is the kind of video gaming that shouldn't seem too intimidating to the non-gamers joining you for the holiday.

Insomniac Games

5. "Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One" — PlayStation 3, $60
If your extended family does have some game experience — enough to handle your basic game controller — then "Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One" is the perfect game for some quality holiday bonding.

Games starring Ratchet, the big-eared Lombax, and Clank, the tiny robot, have been PlayStation staples for years, but this is the first R&C title to include cooperative multiplayer gameplay. That means up to four players can jump in at one time and work together as they take these colorful characters on yet another sci-fi adventure.

Young kids will love the bright world and the zany sense of humor, casual players will love having friends in the game to help them out and more seasoned players will love the high quality of the platforming and puzzle-solving found here.

As Galactic President Qwark says in the game, "We must set aside our petty squabbles and act as a singular unit!" If that doesn't sound like family bonding ... I don't know what does.

Extra, extra! If this kind of mad-cap, four-player adventure is up your fam's alley, then other good options include "Disney Universe" (for the Xbox 360, Wii and PS3) and "Kirby's Return to Dream Land" for the Wii.

For more game news, check out:

• Kinect gets a makeover for PCs
• Five reasons to leap into 'Super Mario 3D Land'
• Five tips for getting the most out of 'Skyrim'

Winda Benedetti writes about games for msnbc.com. You can follow her tweets about games and other things here on Twitter or join her in the stream here on Google+. And be sure to check out the In-Game Facebook page here.

Microsoft

Kinect is getting a few adjustments for its new partnership with PCs and Windows.

Microsoft has announced that it's giving its best-selling Kinect device a little make-over so that it will play nice with PCs.

Earlier this month, as Microsoft celebrated the one year anniversary of the Kinect game controller for the Xbox 360, the company announced that it was expanding its motion control vision and launching a Kinect for Windows commercial program in 2012.

The project is putting the Kinect for Windows software development kit in the hands of companies so they can use it to "transform their products, their processes, their brands, and their businesses." But to make Kinect work well with PCs, Microsoft is making some adjustments to the device itself.

Craig Eisler, General Manager at Kinect for Windows, explained on the team's blog:

Simple changes include shortening the USB cable to ensure reliability across a broad range of computers and the inclusion of a small dongle to improve coexistence with other USB peripherals. Of particular interest to developers will be the new firmware which enables the depth camera to see objects as close as 50 centimeters in front of the device without losing accuracy or precision, with graceful degradation down to 40 centimeters.

The new "near mode" he just described is meant to enable "a whole new class of 'close up' applications," he said and was one of the most requested features from the 200 or so developers and companies already participating in the pilot program.

David Dennis, group program manager of Microsoft's Xbox team, recently told game blog Kotaku that companies like Toyota, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Razorfish are among those already signed up for the program, which is expected to bring Kinect devices out of the home and into public places like retail stores, car dealerships and banks.

Jonathan Hull, vice president of emerging technology at Razorfish, told Kotaku that his company is looking at creating kiosks that would scan a customer's body and then let them try on digital clothes in real time.

Almost immediately after Microsoft launched Kinect last year, tinkerers of all stripes began tweaking the motion-and-voice-sensing device to make it do all manner of nifty things — help robots swing swords, help guide the blind, and empower small helicopters to fly themselves among other things.  

Microsoft certainly seems keen to keep the creative Kinect ball rolling. Eisler also announced Wednesday that Microsoft has just launched the new Kinect Accelerator incubation project. The project will give 10 tech companies making use of Kinect (on either Windows or Xbox360) $20,000 each to help see their vision realized. Applications are being accepted through January 25.

For more tech and game news, check out:

• Windows Phones will bring cats, control to Xbox 360
• Kinect-like device makes everything a touchscreen
• 1 million gamers pay for Call of Duty Elite despite issues
• Chuck Norris lends his face, fists to 'World of Warcraft'

Winda Benedetti writes about games for msnbc.com. You can follow her tweets about games and other things here on Twitter or join her in the stream here on Google+.  And be sure to check out the In-Game Facebook page here.

Bethesda

Bethesda's newest game- "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim" - seems to be flying off shelves. And for good reason.

Bethesda's newest open-world role-playing game — "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim" — has come screaming out of the starting gate.

According to "Skyrim" publisher — ZeniMax Media — they have shipped 7 million units of the epic, medieval-themed game of exploring and dragon slaying. And they expect those copies of the game to generate more than $450 million in global retail sales.

ZeniMax also reports that more than 3.5 million of those launch units were sold in the first 48 hours the game was available.

It's worth noting that shipped numbers are different than sales numbers. By way of comparison, the new "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3" game — which launched last week along with "Skyrim" — sold 6.5 million copies in its first 24 hours ... and that's just in the U.S. and U.K. That makes "Modern Warfare 3" the biggest entertainment launch in history.

Still, it's clear that Bethesda and ZeniMax have a huge hit on their hands. "Skyrim" — which is the follow-up to Bethesda's "Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion" — can be played on Xbox 360s, PlayStation 3s and PCs. And ZeniMax says the game has set a record on Steam — Valve's online gaming and download service.

That is, Steam reported that in the first 24 hours of "Skyrim's" release, it drew in more than 280,000 concurrent players, far outdistancing all other titles.

And really, it's no wonder people are snapping up and downloading copies as fast as they can. According to critic aggregation site MetaCritic.com — "Skyrim" currently holds a score of 96 out 100 with a whopping 24 reviewers giving it a perfect 100.

Our own In-Game editor Todd Kenreck called it "breathtaking" and "enthralling." In fact, check out his full video review right here:

And if you're one of those people who hasn't yet jumped into "Skyrim," by all means do. But first, check out our interview with game director Todd Howard and his five tips for getting the most out of "Skyrim."

For more game news, check out:

• Five tips for getting the most out of 'Skyrim'
• Want to get fit? Play the game 'Skyrim'
• Beleaguered Call of Duty Elite service continues to struggle
• Steam game service hacked, credit card theft investigated

Winda Benedetti writes about games for msnbc.com. You can follow her tweets about games and other things here on Twitter or join her in the stream here on Google+.  And be sure to check out the In-Game Facebook page here.

Zynga/Best Buy

Dear "FarmVille" addicts, you know you want one of these toys ... or better yet, all eight.

Watch out "FarmVille" addicts. As if you haven't spent enough of your time and money in the land of virtual agriculture, Zynga is launching a line of real-world collectible "FarmVille" plush toys to tempt you into opening your wallet this holiday.

The Facebook gaming king has also launched another new "Ville" game to suck you in.

Zynga has announced that it is partnering with Best Buy, which will sell the toys exclusively starting Nov. 25. There will be eight different farm animals in all — each one dressed up in jaunty winter wear!

Rabbit, cow, duck, goat, pig, horse, sheep and chicken — if you buy them all, you will be rewarded with a Super Orchard in your game ... or so says the Best Buy website, which is now taking pre-orders. Individual animals will run you $10 (though you get 10 free Farm Cash to use in your game as well). Or you can pay 99 cents for one of the fuzzy critters if you buy a $25 Zynga Game Card.

Of course, Zynga is simply following in the footsteps of Rovio — the company behind the mega-popular mobile game "Angry Birds." Rovio recently revealed that it is selling some 1 million "Angry Birds" plush toys and T-shirts per month.

And what game company wouldn't want in on that kind of action?

"FarmVille" took Facebook by storm ... er, plow ... when it launched on the social network in 2009. And with more than 30 million monthly users today, the game is still the fourth most popular app on Facebook, according to AppData.com.

Zynga

Zynga gets its Ville on again with "CastleVille" -- a game in which you create your own "happy ending."

Meanwhile, Zynga has created a string of hit "Ville" games — "CityVille," "FrontierVille" — that have both mimicked and expanded upon the "FarmVille" gameplay formula. And on Monday, Zynga launched its latest addition to the Ville line-up: "CastleVille."

This time around, players aren't tasked with creating the farm of their dreams, they're tasked with creating a castle and a kingdom of their dreams and with finding their own "happy ending."

According to the Zynga blog, "CastleVille" players will be able to do the following:

• Explore the World: Choose your path to discover mysterious locations, rare finds and even reveal hidden characters.
• Collaborative Crafting: Collaborate with friends to craft art, armor and portions to help each other on your epic journey, and even beg, borrow and steal goods to strike up the best deal.
• Love Thy Neighbor: A brand new reputation system gives you more reasons to be friendly. Reputation points unlock new actions such as trading, new items you can find in the bazaar, and new expansions. The more social you are, the more reputation points you earn and the faster you can progress in the game.

When "CastleVille" was originally revealed, Bill Jackson, the game's creative director, said he saw it as a step toward a deep online game like "World of Warcraft."

"Zynga is bringing massively multiplayer role-playing games to the mass market," he explained.

For more game news, check out:

• Zynga reveals 9 new games, new game network
• Five reasons to leap into 'Super Mario 3D Land'
• PETA attacks Nintendo over fur-wearing Mario
• Five tips for getting the most out of 'Skyrim'

Winda Benedetti writes about games for msnbc.com. You can follow her tweets about games and other things here on Twitter or join her in the stream here on Google+.  And be sure to check out the In-Game Facebook page here.