Holiday Video Game Picks from Activision

Disclosure: We received these games to facilitate our post. All opinions are our own.

We know that many of our children this holiday season ask for video games on their holiday wish lists. With so many options available when looking for great titles, we feel caught between wanting our children to enjoy what they play, while also not evoking themes that we don’t feel comfortable with them enjoying as entertainment.

Activision’s Skylanders Superchargers and The Peanuts Movie: Snoopy’s Grand Adventure prove great fun for kids of all ages.

Skylands, in peril in this new game as Emperor Kaos has unleashed his most evil weapon yet – the Doomstation of Ultimate Doomstruction, can only be saved by the SuperChargers who combat Kaos by using an unstoppable fleet of vehicles across land, sea, and sky. The Skylanders Superchargers Starter Pack comes with one video game, a new portal of power, two Skylanders figures, one Skylanders vehicle, and one collection poster.

We love that this game allows you to play in four modes, starting from the easiest for children who just enjoy the beautiful graphics and great storytelling associated with Skylanders, up to more advanced players who may even want to play against others competitively, in online and local co-operative Adventure Mode. If your child truly loves this game, consider stuffing stockings with additional figures as there exist several points throughout the game in which a different type of vehicle (ideal for sea, for example) might prove better-suited to get through the level. You could even buy the special limited-edition holiday figurine.

Parents will love that actors such as Brittany Snow, Neal McDonough and Josh Duhamel voice the characters this year. The Skylanders SuperChargers Starter Pack can be purchased at retailers such as Best Buy and ToysRUs for $74.99, or on sale at GameStop this holiday season for $49.99.

The visually beautiful The Peanuts Movie: Snoopy’s Grand Adventure proves well-suited to younger children, who love playing this game. Having just celebrated its 65^th anniversary, this classic comic inspired a feature film released in November as well as this game. The Peanuts are having quite a year!

In the game, Snoopy makes his way through imaginative environments via his classic doghouse portal. With Woodstock and Beagle Scouts by his side, Snoopy unlocks new abilities, costumes, and special moves as he takes this magical journey. This side-scrolling exploration platformer features simple, pick-up-and-play controls and the classic characters and humor of Peanuts, delivering a great experience for fans of all ages.

We love that this game proves easy enough for children who could potentially struggle through a level in other games. It’s stimulating with the opportunity to collect jelly beans and uncover hidden pools and rewards. Even if it takes children a while to get through the level, they won’t be stuck with a “Game Over” situation or feel frustrated because it is so visually stimulating as you go through each magical land. The varied worlds of Snoopy’s daydreams are painted in gorgeously colorful 3D detail, and the film’s vocal cast is showcased throughout the game.

The Peanuts Movie: Snoopy’s Grand Adventure is available on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Xbox One for $49.99 MSRP, Xbox 360 and Nintendo’s Wii U™ system for $39.99 MSRP, and the Nintendo 3DS™ hand-held system for $29.99 MSRP. It is rated E (Everyone) by the ESRB.

Photo Credits: Activision & Getty Images

Lorianne Lacey