What does your family do together during those holiday get-togethers? Besides eat? My family might take a walk around the neighborhood, put a puzzle together, or play a board game. But in recent years we’ve added video games to pre- and post-dinner rituals. There’s usually a little Mario Kart or Mario Party, and sometimes we try other games. This year, I hope to get everyone up off the couch with some of these motion games. Here are our Top 5. And thanks to fitness expert Marilyn McKenna for helping us test three of these.
1. Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved—Xbox Exclusive
Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox 360 (Kinect required)
ESRB Rating: E10+
Content Descriptor(s): Lyrics
Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved lets you be a musical conductor. You must reproduce various gestures in time to the music in order to earn points and unlock even more music. When you really get into it, it definitely gets your heart rate up. Lots of different kinds of music are included, from classical hits like “Eine Kleine Nacht Musik” to classical rock like Queens’ “Bohemian Rhapsody” to modern hits, like Lorde’s “Royals.”
2. Dance Central Spotlight—Xbox Exclusive
Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox 360 (Kinect required)
ESRB Rating: E10+
Content Descriptor(s): Lyrics
Dance Central Spotlight has 10 songs included in its base price, and you can get additional songs for $1.99 each. This lets you pay only for the songs you like. There are different routines for each song that you can unlock. Some focus on cardio and strength; others focus on different dance styles. You can also create your own fitness routines by length.
3. Just Dance 2015—PlayStation, Xbox, Wii
Platforms: PlayStation 3 & 4 (Move required), Xbox One, Xbox 360 (Kinect required), Wii and Wii U
ESRB Rating: E10+
Content Descriptor(s): Lyrics
Just Dance is upbeat and happy and it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Up to five players can play at once, so it’s great for big family groups. Workout mode sets a number of minutes or number of songs.
4. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14—PlayStation, Xbox 360
Platforms: Playstation 3 (Move required), Xbox 360 (Kinect required)
ESRB Rating: E
Content Descriptors: None
My dad loves to play golf with his grandson, both outside on their local course and inside on the Kinect-equipped Xbox. In Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14, you can go back in time and play as—or against—golf legends like Arnold Palmer. You can also try playing on legendary courses and in legendary tournaments.
5. Wii Sports Club—Nintendo Wii U Exclusive
Platforms: Wii U
ESRB Rating: E
Content Descriptors: None
Like PGA Tour games, Wii Sports Club is just terrific for multi-generational play. Older folks will enjoy familiar games and movements in the virtual bowling, golf, baseball, boxing, and tennis games.
