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Top Kids' Video Games For The 2016 Holidays

Top Kids' Video Games for the 2016 Holidays

Video games are always among the most popular holiday gifts. Here are some of the best games of the season, with selections for younger kids, tweens, and teens.

by Colleen Hughes

Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens video game

Dragon Quest Builders

Only you can rebuild the world of Alefgard after it has been destroyed by the evil Dragonlord. Gather materials from all over the world to rebuild the land from the ground up.

Rated: Everyone 10+

Platforms: PlayStation 3, 4, and Vita

Buy on Amazon

LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens

All your favorite characters from the first installment of the new Star Wars trilogy are back in one of the best-selling video games of 2016. The game's "Multi-Builds" system lets you choose — and re-choose — from multiple build options that will advance the game in different ways. Fly in epic space battles and play as over 200 characters as you relive all the adventure from that galaxy far, far away.

Rated: Everyone 10+

Platforms: Android; Windows; iOS and OS X; PlayStation 3, 4, and Vita; Wii U and Nintendo 3DS; Xbox One and 360

Buy on Amazon

NBA 2K17

Experience all the tension and excitement of the NBA season right from your own home. NBA 2K17 lets you play as a current NBA team or as one of a number of classic teams, including the 1985-86 Boston Celtics, 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, and the 1992 men's U.S. Olympic basketball "Dream Team." You can also build your own team and design their logo and jerseys.

Rated: E for Everyone

Platforms: Android; Windows; iOS; PlayStation 3 and 4; Xbox One and 360

Buy on Amazon

Disney Art Academy

Unleash your inner artist! Learn how to draw your favorite Disney and Pixar characters, including Elsa from Frozen, the Genie from Aladdin, and, of course, Mickey Mouse, with step-by-step tutorials and a variety of tools and brushes.

Rated: E for Everyone

Platform: Nintendo 3DS

Buy on Amazon

Overcooked!

Chaos in the kitchen! You and your team of up to four chefs work together to prepare, cook, and serve meals under a strict time limit, all while navigating the obstacles of each crazy kitchen.

Rated: E for Everyone

Platforms: Windows; PlayStation 4; Xbox One

Buy on Amazon

Just Dance 2017

Have a dance party with the latest installment of the popular Just Dance franchise. You and your friends can dance to hits including "Into You" by Ariana Grande, "Can't Feel My Face" by The Weeknd, and "Wherever I Go" by OneRepublic. New to this version is the ability to use either a game controller or your smartphone to play, so no need to worry about not having enough controllers to go around.

Rated: Everyone 10+

Platforms: PlayStation 3 and 4; Wii, Wii U, and Nintendo Switch; Xbox One and 360

Buy on Amazon

FIFA 17

An updated intelligence system, physical play, and attacking techniques let you immerse yourself in the world of pro soccer like never before in FIFA 17. Also new this year is a story mode called The Journey, where you play as young Premier League prospect Alex Hunter. Hunter's career and his interactions with other players are affected by both your performance on the pitch and the decisions you make off it. Will you make him a star?

Rated: E for Everyone

Platforms: Windows; PlayStation 3 and 4; Xbox One and 360

Buy on Amazon

Pokémon Sun and Moon

This new duo of Pokémon games promises to be among the best-selling video games of this holiday season. As a young Pokémon trainer in the Alola region, you'll catch and train Pokémon while trying to defeat the evil organization Team Skull. The game features new Pokémon, returning favorites, and even new "Alolan forms" of some classic Pokémon.

Rated: Rated: E for Everyone

Platform: Nintendo 3DS

Buy on Amazon

Skylanders: Imaginators

The newest Skylanders game once again includes toys that you bring to life through the game. You are part of an epic battle to save Skylands with the help of Senseis and Imaginators. New to this game are the Imaginators, characters that you create and customize by choosing their fighting style, names, voices, powers, and sizes.

Rated: Everyone 10+

Platforms: PlayStation 3 and 4; Wii U; Xbox One and 360

Buy on Amazon

Paper Mario: Color Splash

Prism Island is being drained of all its color! Use Paper Mario's magic hammer to splash paint onto everything it hits before the color is gone for good!

Rated: E for Everyone

Platform: Wii U

Buy on Amazon