I’ve told my kids I won’t buy any more electronics because I am tired of picking up controllers left on the floor and turning off game consoles that are not being used. So my youngest son told me he is going to ask Santa Claus for a new Wii Motion Plus. He’s been pretty good this year, but I wonder if it’s time to come clean about the jolly old man.

If you are the Santa in your family, video games make great gifts. Many of them can be played by the whole family. Nintendo, in particular, offers many family-friendly options. And this year, the recommended retail price of Nintendo’s Wii game console has dropped by $50 to $199.99.

Wii games are popular across many demographics, with fans ranging from the youngest of children to middle-aged women who play in Wii bowling leagues and nursing home residents who use them for recreation.

The Wii Motion Plus ($24.99) is a small device that attaches to the end of a Wii controller. It allows for more precise tracking of motion through three-dimensional space. The result? A more realistic experience for gamers. With Wii Motion Plus, “Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2010,” for example, simulates a real golf game. I am not a golfer, but people tell me playing this game will save them a lot of time on the driving range because they can now practice at home.

A new “Super Mario Bros. Wii” video game ($49.99) came out last month. The Mario Bros. games are very popular and this one promises to live up to expectations. Parents can relax because the fighting kids see in Mario Bros. games is tamer than Saturday morning cartoons. And the multiplayer game will foster friendly competition among family members.

Also from Nintendo, the DSi handheld gaming system ($169.99) includes two 3.5-inch touch screens, a microphone and a camera. Many effects can be applied to the pictures; gamers can change the color of the image or the expression on a face. With the built-in microphone, players can record their voices and play along with music. The DSi can connect to a wireless network for communicating with others.  

Popular games for the Nintendo DSi include “Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days” ($34.99), an adventure game that includes classic Disney characters and an engaging storyline about friendship. The “Nintendogs” games ($29.99) continue to be popular for Nintendo DSi. A unique input device allows players to blow into the front of the console to make bubbles appear on the screen.

“Scribblenauts” ($29.99), another game for Nintendo DSi, has received a lot of attention in the gaming community. It is a groundbreaking achievement that allows players to use a stylus to draw something that becomes part of the gameplay. My friends in the gaming industry who tried it at game shows this past summer couldn’t stop talking about it.

For older kids, Activision’s “DJ Hero with Turntable” is the new take on the company’s “Guitar Hero” franchise, which allows players to develop good hand-eye coordination while acting like rock stars. The music isn’t to my liking, so in our house, we are looking at “The Beatles Rock Band” game ($59.99), which lets you be a part of the Beatles’ history.

Finally, “Tony Hawk: RIDE with Skateboard” ($119.99), which came out last month, uses a motion-sensing skateboard controller that makes players feel like they are really performing all of real-life skateboarder Tony Hawk’s daring moves. The controller looks like a skateboard with no wheels, so you get all the advantages of developing balance and getting exercise without having to go outdoors. We’ll be using this one on hot July days in Phoenix!
Don’t get overwhelmed by all the terminology and options. You don’t need several different game consoles; most of these and other popular games are available for a Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation or Microsoft Xbox360. Just be sure you buy the right game version for the console you have. And whatever games you choose this holiday season, don’t forget to look at the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) rating to ensure that you are getting a game that is appropriate for your child’s age.