Through their comprehensive ratings system, the Entertainment Software Ratings Board has been regulating the sales of video games to children for fifteen years. With their newest rating, "E10+," the ESRB recognizes a distinct group between the 6-and-up crowd of E and the 13-plus set covered by T for Teen. Before that, though, E was the catch-all rating for games with little-to-no blood, only the mildest language, and minimal sexually-suggestive content. Then and now, things like how accessible a game's design or controls are, or what reading level is required, have contributed much less to a game's age classification. But as PSP games cater towards an older market overall, these factors are crucial to consider even when picking a game labeled "E for Everyone."
Here are some pointers to choosing a great PSP game for children 10 and under, with some exemplary titles--and others you'll want to avoid.
Beware the Movie License
It may be tempting to snag a game based on your little one's most-anticipated movie, particularly since such games come out a couple weeks ahead of the film. But before you do, have a look at its average media score, culled from reviews around the Internet. Chances are the game is largely panned, and you would do best to avoid it in favor of just about anything else.
Why do licensed games tend to stink? Well, they are normally rushed cash-ins, timed to reap the ultimate rewards for the least development time and effort. The practice is especially rampant on PSP, since portable games most often have a lower budget and shorter development cycle to begin with. And it's not just movies, either: TV shows and toy franchises are notorious for spawning forgettable, if not glitchy and frustrating, games. There are exceptions to this rule, but on the PSP, they seem to be few.
If a review tosses around phrases like "poorly-designed going on unplayable" or "more bug-filled than a roach motel" about any game, you may want to think twice about handing it to junior.
Games to avoid: Anything from Avatar to Pirates of the Caribbean to Transformers. A child's love can transcend many barriers, so be sure to weigh their potential enjoyment of a flawed game against the more exacting critiques of reviewers.
Games to get: You don't have to look far down this list of PSP games to find Daxter, Manic Monkey Mayhem, Pipe Mania, and other E-rated gems to suit a child's taste.
Music is Universal
While it may not boast a guitar-shaped controller or dance mats, the PSP's superior sound hardware and graphics have made it home to some high-quality rhythm games. The simple mechanics and musicality of these games make them highly playable and appealing for this age group.
Games to avoid: PaRappa the Rapper, average score 66%. While it is a classic, at only a couple hours long, it's too short to recommend when there are newer, similar games available (read: Patapon). If you can get it cheaply, though, there's still nothing else quite like it.
You can't go too wrong with any other PSP music title.
Games to get: Patapon and Patapon 2, which have both earned average press scores above 85%. Wee ones will delight in the antics of the diminutive Patapons as they battle foul beasties many times their size, their success dependent on tapping the buttons in time with the tribal drum-beats. A colorful, storybook presentation is sure to capture the imagination, and a long quest ensures you'll get your money's worth. Recommended for ages 6 and older.
Gitaroo Man Lives! (average press score 81%) is another surefire winner, starring a boy whose magical guitar can save the world from alien invasion. Its wild visuals, bizarre story, and off-the-wall characterizations may seem confusing, but that raging imagination is precisely what makes it appealing to kids. It demands a higher degree of hand-eye coordination than its fellows, though, so it is best suited to kids 8 and up.
Edutainment: Friend or Foe?
As a parent of a child who owns a PSP, you may have looked to the Nintendo DS, home of the renowned mind-sharpening software Brain Age, with envious eyes. What you should know is that for every cerebrum-ripening title out there, there are at least five rotten ones. The rush to capitalize on the self-improvement trend has produced a cavalcade of games that don't make the grade, several of which have landed on the PSP. The good news is that little kids really don't need brain-training games designed to turn back their mental clocks 20 years!
All games foster some aspect of a child's development, be it reflexes and hand-eye coordination, problem-solving abilities, vocabulary and literacy, or even music appreciation. What's important is that the game be imaginative, as these tend to be of higher quality -- and not a game that, say, tries to prepare a tot for a future career. Playing games shouldn't be like work for your child.
Games to avoid: Anything with "Brain" or "Puzzle" in the title is pretty iffy (not including Puzzle Quest, but that's for an older crowd). In particular, the Buzz! series seems to have grated on the last neuron of most reviewers. Other quasi-educational games with a star on the Walk of Shame include Diner Dash, Smart Bomb, and Online Chess Kingdoms.
Game to get: Something that fosters creative thinking, like Little Big Planet (87% rating). Not only is the standard 1-player mode terribly fun and kid-friendly, but it's where you collect all the articles needed to build your own levels. That's where the fun truly begins. Whether you'd prefer to make your own personal playground or a masterwork to share with the world, you can do just about anything with LBP. In the guise of fun, it secretly introduces kids to the basic cause-and-effect structures of computer programming.
PSP games are becoming not only increasingly mature, but also complex, so determining what makes a child-friendly game isn't just a question of violent or sexual content. By seeking out quality games that coincide with your child's developmental stage, in conjunction with the ESRB ratings, you'll give yourself the best chance of delivering a game they'll love you for.