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Families are made up of all ages. So our Best Family Game Awards are organised by age groups - infants, juniors, students, workers, parents and seniors. Whether you have XBox 360, PS3, Wii, DS lite and PSP, we have a game to suite you and your family.

The Association of Family Gamers is proud to sponsor the Family Gamer Age awards - the only game awards for specific age groups. Out of the hundreds of games that come through our door each month, these few games stood head and shoulders above the rest.

We gather the best family games each season - Spring (May), Summer (August), Autumn (November) and Winter (February). Then we pick our tips for the season's ideal games for each age-group and let our readers vote on to decide which is the overall winner for the year.

Games for Toddlers (2 to 4 yrs)

The best games for toddlers, very-young children and pre-school kids from 2 to 4 years old. These games work with the basics of play and should engage the super young players in our families. Simple controls and bright colours engage young players in some educational and informative games.

2009

Spring: Go Go Diego: Dinosaur Adventure Wii - The sensible design combined with the engaging levels and children's voice work all combine to make this another excellent game for infant gamers from the Dora and Diego team.

Summer: Story Hour Adventures Wii - Fairy tales with optional minigames make this the ideal compromise between a video game and a bedtime story. Low impact gaming at its best..

Autumn: Pass the Pigs DS - The simplicity of swiping the screen to roll the pigs, combined with the funny sound effects and positions make this ideal for infant gamers.

Winter: EyePet PS3 - The sheer magic of a little living creature appearing in your lounge on you TV connects with very young players. Add in the simple mini-games, grooming and dress-up aspects and this is a lot of entertainment, with a little help from mum and dad. Voted 2009 Age Group Winner

2008 Click to view

Spring: Family Ski Wii - The simple controls and cartoon visuals make this easy enough to use by players as young as three. The split screen simultaneous multiplayer makes it great for young siblings to play along side each other.

Summer: Quickspot DS - The age old favourite spot the difference game brought to the DS. Whilst some modes are too time restricted for the very young, there is enough here to entertain and develop their hand eye co-ordination.

Autumn: Pac 'n Roll DS - The super simple controls make this 3D version of Pac Man playable by anyone. Simply push the stylus in the direction you want to go.

Winter: Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves the Snow Princess Wii - The cartoon tie in along with well judged tilt controls make this easy enough for anyone to play. Add in the characters all being voice by children and you have a real winner.

2007 Click to view

Spring: Go Go Diego: Safari Rescue Wii - The simple platform controls and the children's voice work are ideally placed for infant players. Add a second player to assist with the hard sections and you have the perfect recipe.

Summer: Electroplankton - Although not really a game, this electronic sound toy will keep infants amused by the various fish based minigames. Voice recording and distortion is also a boon for super young players.

Autumn: Mario Hoops 3 on 3 DS - Although some of the game's complexity will be above some infants, the stylus passing and shooting means that they can play a basic game of basket ball without too much trouble.

Winter: Mario Kart Wii - The tilt controlled steering along with the exciting cartoon visuals and split screen multiplayer modes make this great for very young players.

Games for Juniors (5 to 10 yrs)

The best games for primary school, junior and young children aged from 5 to 10 years old. These games provide experiences that connect with a basic joy of discovery and play. Although still simplistic they engage with a wide range of basic principles.

2009

Spring: World of Goo Wii - The ingeniously simple premise of building with living blobs of goo, combine with the fiendish level design and excellent story telling to make this a truly magical experience for Junior gamers in particular.

Summer: Rolando 2 iPhone - The combination of the portable device, tilt and touch controls make for a great game. This stands out though for more traditional reasons. Bright clean visuals and fiendish levels design. Perfect for tiny fingers.

Autumn: Shaun White's Snowboarding World Stage Wii - The simple controls and sense of speed make this accessible and fun. A strong cartoon feel and animated sequences take this into the realms of well rounded entertainment than just a video game.

Winter: High School Musical 3: Dance! Wii/PS3/360 - Simply the best rhythm dance game released to date. A strong combination of music from the films and a range of gesture, jumps, poses and swings to get the blood pumping. Voted 2009 Age Group Winner

2008 Click to view

Spring: Boom Blox Wii - The simple idea of throwing, pulling and shooting blocks has instant appeal. The family friendly Jenga style levels combine with the deft Wii-mote control and varied levels to create a great game for families with junior gamers.

Summer: Soul Bubbles DS - This game's simple bubble blowing controls and platforming puzzles make it ideally placed for junior players.

Autumn: Mario and Sonic at the Olympics Wii - The sheer exuberance and variety here are great for juniors wanted to exercise their 'massive' motor skills. That you can play with four players together also makes it ideal for the whole family.

Winter: Guinness World Records Wii - Being able to get your name on a score board for your county increases the appeal for juniors here. Like the now defunct children's TV show, Guinness World Records provides some great entertaining activities and simple controls.

2007 Click to view

Spring: Wario Ware: Twisted GBA - Although still hard to get in the UK, this minigame collection offers some of the most entertaining (and frustrating) challenges around. All of them are controlled with a simple built in tilt sensor that makes them ideal for juniors.

Summer: Elite Beat Agents DS - The cartoon art style and direct tap along play mechanic make this ideal for junior gamers. This rhythm action has more then enough content to engage youngsters in what it is that makes a song great.

Autumn: Mario Kart DS - The return to the simplicity of earlier Mario Kart games suits the junior player. Combine this with the local and online multiplayer for some great racing fun.

Winter: FIFA 08 Wii - The combination of the football theme and the low barrier to entry Family Play controls make this great for juniors. Up to four players of mixed ability can compete together for some great family wide fun.

Games for Students (11 to 17 yrs)

The best games for secondary, high-school, teenagers, adolescent kids and young-adults aged from 11 to 17 years old. These games provide thrilling experiences that major on brash, loud (sometimes busty) protagonists and aim to connect with the students in our families.

2009

Spring: Peggle Dual Shot DS - Peggle manages to escape from being a simple random affair of firing balls at pegs and creates a game that is as skilful and in depth as any puzzle game on the DS. Once you are hooked this will keep to locked in of hours. Ideal to entertain between (or during) lectures.

Summer: Wii-Sports Resort Wii - The simplicity and fidelity of control make this simply the best sports game on the Wii. Golf here gives even Tiger Woods a run for its money. Table Tennis is the most direct racket game to grace a console. Archery creates a nail biting fine tuned challenge to rival any adrenalin sport. Voted 2009 Age Group and Family Gamer of the Year Winner

Autumn: Disaster: Day of Crisis Wii - An unusually adrenaline led shooting game on the Wii. A combination of third person exploring, stop-action events and on-rails shooting make this varied and compelling. The production values and staging in the end mark this out as a winning formula.

Winter: DJ Hero PS3/360/Wii - Surprising us all with quality and fun - and by trumping the established Guitar based games. The quality and attention to detail in both the record deck controller and soundtrack show the pedigree of all involved.

2008 Click to view

Spring: Super Smash Brothers Brawl Wii - The initial simplicity and button mashing soon gives way to obsessively learning different characters and power ups as this game proves itself again in a new generation.

Summer: Little Big Planet PS3 - The rag-doll physics and kids TV visuals make this the ideal place to hang out with student friends. Add in some mischievous intent from up to three other players and it becomes a hysterical prank filled festival of fun.

Autumn: Castle Crashers 360 - The sheer inventiveness of this four player romp through olden times makes it great to play with friends. Brawling action gives way to levelling up and item collection as is befitting of any student friendly title.

Winter: Motor Storm: Pacific Rift PS3 - The biggest brashest off road racing game makes this high on most student lists. Add in the four player split screen mode that still manages to include nine computer controlled cars and you have an unequalled experience.

2007 Click to view

Spring: Sing Star PS3 - Carefree Student types will love singing their hearts out. Well built microphones, great play lists and the pitch based scoring make this ideal for parties.

Summer: Guitar Hero 360/PS3/PS2/Wii - The happiness created from strapping on a fake plastic guitar and strumming along to your favourite band is more than you would expect. Although Rockband provides the most streamlined experience Guitar Hero's peripherals are more highly thought of as they are better made.

Autumn: Mario Galaxy Wii - Mario returns in his ingenious form. Every one of the levels provides a unique experience as rich and dense as those Mario games of old.

Winter: Halo 3 360 - Nothing recreates the moment of two players combat encounter like Halo. Halo 3 then fleshes this out into the full experience. Student friendly co-op or more open online play, Halo 3 has it all.

Games for Workers (18 and over)

The best games for those with full time jobs, workers, 9-to-5-ers, employed hard-core gamers 18 years and over. These games provide more of a challenge in both dexterity and problem solving. They are often more about strong single player experiences that hard working hard core gamers. Although these are often longer experiences that are also ideal to switch off and chill out after a long day at the office.

2009

Spring: Street Fighter IV PS3/360 - Street Fighter is the game that started the fighting genre. And here in a return to old style game play married with state of the art hand drawn visuals we find a game so engaging and beautiful we played until our hands hurt. Perfect for easing those aches and pains after a long day at work.

Summer: Shadow Complex 360 - A brash Gears of War styles platform game that follows the lines of Metroid and Castlevania. It's the joy in the delivery that turns this into an experience players return to again and again.

Summer: Dead Space: Extraction Wii - Not only managing to get close to the horror of the 360/PS3 version, but intelligently innovating with the Wii controllers. Rattling the Wii-mote to charge the glow stick is ingenious and speaks of a game with real moments of connection, fear and delight.

Winter: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves PS3 - Many missed the excellent first game, but Naughty Dog come back with a truly worthy sequel. A combination of highly tuned controls, compelling characters and great gunplay make this a ride worth seeing to the end - and back again. Voted 2009 Age Group Winner

2008 Click to view

Spring: Resident Evil 4 Wii - For fright friendly student play there is no equally the intensity and streamlined experience of this game. Widely received as the best Gamecube game, the Wii version improves the aiming controls and reduces the price.

Summer: Gears of War 360 - Big, scary, harsh and bloody this is the cream of the violent 360 shooting games. The sheer intensity of the ride is just what those work-a-day blues ordered.

Autumn: Far Cry 2 360/PS3 - The sense of place generated by the acting, scenery and action make this a memorable experience. The game soon opens out into a goliath of a masterpiece lasting a good 40 hours.

Winter: Grand Theft Auto IV PS3/360 - Although maligned for juvenile violence and cheap sexuality there is more to this than meets the eye. Played with an enquiring mind and you will find as many questions raised here as by other heavyweight inner city experiences like the TV show The Wire.

2007 Click to view

Spring: Crackdown 360 - The open world of futuristic gangsters was compelling on its own terms. However, the introduction of two player co-op was the stroke of genius that made this the perfect playground.

Summer: Twighlight Princess: The Legend of Zelda Wii - Those looking for a sizable adventure on the Wii will find this truly satisfying. Not only hitting the classic Zelda notes, but creating some new ones of its own. Hyrule is ideal for weary workers looking for some evening escape.

Autumn: God of War 2 PS2 - Loud brash brawling action. Although only single player, a great game to watch or play. The visual pinnacle of the PS2 game library.

Winter: Call of Duty 4 360/PS3 - The single player game's staging and sense of pace outdoes most other first person shooting games. Those looking for a peak of what wartime simulation will love spending time in this modern setting.

Games for Parents

The best games for parents, mums, dads, carers, aunties and uncles. These games connect with the gamer on a more mature level. Story driven and often open ended, the experiences here provide space to play with complex issues and engage in moral dilemmas. Either that or to escape the grind of the work/home balance.

2009

Spring: Fable 2 360 - We may be a little late to the Fable party but with Know Hole Island and See the Future expending the experience we have been captivated by just how meaningful a game this is. Never before has a video game created such a sense of consequence to each and every choice. Proper ethically engaged gaming fun.

Summer: Red Faction PS3/360 - Because every fence, building and vehicle can be destroyed and brought crumbling down, players have many more ways to complete what would otherwise be an average shooter. The attention to architectural destruction makes this into the thinking man's shooting game.

Autumn: Dragon Age: Origins PS3/360 - The depth and length of Dragon Age Origins is reason alone to acquire this game and delve into its impressive story. But the mature nature of the content and the way its presented really show how far video games have come in recent years.

Winter: Assassin's Creed 2 PS3/360 - A return to the free-running assassination of the original proves to be exciting and fresh. Enough has been reworked to make this a great game in it's own right. Intrigue and ethics combine with the nuanced fighting and climbing to create a compelling experience. Voted 2009 Age Group Winner

2008 Click to view

Spring: Animal Crossing: Let's go to the City Wii

Summer: Uncharted: Drake's Fortune PS3 - This is the unusual and stunning collision of good story, great voice work and enjoyable game play. Although not too much for the grey matter to contend with the experience is as emotional as any blockbuster movie.

Autumn: Assassin's Creed 360/PS3 - The fluid climbing of the main character and tactile nature of the environments first impress here. But play a little longer and you find a game with an interesting relationship to death and revenge.

Winter: Mirror's Edge PS3/360 - This game takes a familiar platforming genre and introduces a first person perspective. What results is a brilliant and unique experience that is as much about how we interact with our environment as it is about shooting the bad guys.

2007 Click to view

Spring: Endless Ocean / Forever Blue Wii - The slower pace of simple diving exploration belies an expansive and enthralling world to discover. Intrigue and mystery develop alongside stomach tingling underwater vistas and impressive sea bound fish and mammals.

Summer: Shadow of the Colossus PS2 - The simple David and Goliath experience of a small man facing a massive monster here becomes something special. Pushing the PS2 to its limits, and create a real sense of sadness over each noble Colossus slain, this stands head and shoulders above other adventure games.

Autumn: Portal 360/PS3 - In the short three hours or so it takes to play there is more characterisation and puzzling fun here than in many fully fledged experiences. First person shooting, physics and logic combine to pose some of the most head scratching levels you can find in a game.

Winter: Bioshock 360 - Rapture, the underwater location for Bioshock, create a real sense of place in which to play. This combines with the moral conundrums of how to deal with the children inhabitants that the game can leave the player genuinely challenged and disturbed.

Games for Grandparents

The best games for grandparents, older, senior, grown-up, mature, retired and wiser people. These games provide a slightly slower, although no less challenging experience. Time and consideration are of the essence as our most senior gamers enjoy interacting with other players and perfecting their approach.

2009

Spring: Flower PS3 - The marvelous premise of controlling a game just by tilting sets the laid back tone for Flower. What's more of a surprise is how ephemeral and spine tingling it is to float on the wind through gorgeous landscapes, and on through the game's pictorially told story. Voted 2009 Age Group Winner

Summer: Fuel 360/PS3 - This takes the usually constrained driving game and let's you race anywhere you want in a massively open world. More experienced gamers will appreciate the realistic feel this gives proceedings accentuated by the superb real time weather and day/night cycles - something that even Forza 3 doesn't offer..

Autumn: Real Racing iPhone - Firemint have managed to take enough time out from shaving with Ockham's razor to make an amazing game. Find, beg, borrow or make GBP6 any way you can, and give it to them as a reward.

Winter: Gardening Guide DS - Spending time researching different plants that would work with your soil type, and you can take the DS with you to the garden centre to help you get the right thing. You will also know when the best time to plant them is and when they will flower. Genius.

2008 Click to view

Spring: Gran Turismo 5 Prologue PS3 - The level of physical modelling here is simply breathtaking. The perfectly modelled interiors complement the physics to convince drivers they are sat in the real thing.

Summer: Tiger Woods 09 Wii - As close to real life golfing as you can get on a console. The game is played using the Wii-mote as the golf club. The 2009 version provided an accurate one-to-one swing alongside simplified putting. Once time is spent acclimatising to the controls there is no going back to other golf games.

Autumn: Picross DS - This perfectly pitched puzzle game combines mathematics and crossword mechanics to create something as beguiling as it is addictive. Once players have mastered the single player puzzles they can go head-to-head online for a real nail biting show down.

Winter: Pinball FX 360 - The perfect antidote to a busy dusty day at work. Just like playing in the dingy arcades of old, this 360 game recreates the physicality and touch of the real game.

2007 Click to view

Spring: Forza Motorsport 2 360 - The level of detail here enables the sort of clinical race execution previously only possible in real world racing. Along with the extensive customisation and career modes, Forza 2 is the most comprehensive of driving games.

Summer: Planet Puzzle League DS - Combining Tetris and Bejeweled, this game appears very simple but has a lot of depth. Add to this the daily brain training style exercises and you have the perfect experience for players old and young alike.

Autumn: Brain Training DS - Although a little over marketed, there are actually very interesting experiences. The low barrier to entry combined with the varied play and Soduku levels makes this great for anyone wanting to refresh their grey matter.

Winter: GRiD PS3/360 - The shear breadth of coverage here never fails to impress. From upstart Formula 3000 cars, through touring models to the top end Formula 1, GRID takes the player on a tour de force of racing. The range of events and tracks equals the choice of motors. Adding in real time day/night cycles to 24 hours events creates a real sense of occasion to longer races.

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