The best family games for the Xbox 360

It’s winter time and that means more time indoors and more chances for family game nights. And when it comes to playing video games with the kids, the Xbox 360 is the #1 choice. Not only does the Xbox 360 have the best parental controls of any of the big three gaming consoles but it also has Kinect, the revolutionary voice and motion controller that puts you and your family right in the middle of the video game action.

There are dozens of great Xbox 360 family games to choose from  – everything from sports games to dance games to games involving Cookie Monster and his Sesame Street pals. Here are just a few of our favorites. (Check prices, as many of these games are being sold at discount prices.)

Kinect Sports: Ultimate Collection

Ultimate Collection combines the two best-selling Kinect Sports into one complete package. Compete in 13 different sports, including baseball, basketball, soccer, football, bowling, beach volleyball, track and field, table tennis, boxing, golf, tennis, skiing and darts. The Kinect sensor faithfully mimics your every move, whether you on the slopes or nailing that 30 yard field goal.

The in-game voice activation tool means you can quickly skip through the menus and call your own shots during the game action. Challenge your friends and family, whether they are with you in the living room or joining in the action via Xbox LIVE.

Price: $49.99
ESRB Rating: “E” for Everyone

Dance Central 3

No game better illustrates the amazing potential of Kinect for Xbox 360 than Dance Central 3. If your family loves to get up and dance, then this is the perfect party game for you. And even if you have two left feet – yes, dad, that’s you we’re talking to! – then the wide range of difficulty levels and the catalog of great dance hits will make it impossible for you not to join in. On-screen instructors take you through the various moves and offer encouragement along the way.

Price: $49.99
ESRB Rating: “T” for Teen

Kinectimals Now with BEARS!

Kinectimals Now with BEARS! expands on the first Kinectimals game, so you’re now playing among cuddly bear cubs as well as young lions and tigers. Kids can solve mysteries on an undiscovered island and share exciting adventures, all the while using their voices and bodies to interact with their new furry friends. A helpful fairly-like assistant shows kids how to get the animals to roll over and make other cute moves, and the patient and forgiving gameplay makes sure no-one gets left behind.

Price: $36.00 at Amazon.com
ESRB Rating: “E” for Everyone

Kinect Rush: A Disney-Pixar Adventure

Kinect Rush transports you to the Pixar Theme Park where you get to meet the characters from five Pixar blockbuster movies: Ratatouille, Toy Story, Up, Cars and The Incredibles. While some of these movie titles have made previous appearances as video games, this is the first time the characters and story lines have been given the Kinect treatment. Kids – and parents too – will be captivated by being immersed into the enchanting worlds of Remy, Woody, Lightning McQueen, Elastigirl and the rest of the Pixar gang. This is your chance to be a rat, a toy, a car, or even an Incredibles-style superhero!

Price: $29.99 at the Microsoft Store
ESRB Rating: “E" for Everyone

Kinect Sesame Street TV

Join Big Bird, Grover, Oscar and more as Kinect Sesame Street TV transforms passive viewing into active participation, encouraging kids to use gestures, voices and their bodies to interact with the familiar characters on the screen. This new 2-way TV experience utilizes content from actual TV episodes of Sesame Street and brings to life activities such as jumping like a frog with Elmo, learning letters with Cookie Monster or counting with Grover. Learning has never been more fun!

Price: $29.99
ESRB Rating: “E” for Everyone

Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012

Want to make sure your family is getting a good workout? Your Shape 2012 is a fun and sociable series of fitness exercises that deliver serious results. There are over 90 hours of customizable routines that target every conceivable muscle group. Activities such as cardio boxing, jump rope, yoga, and various dance classes offer huge variety and guarantee that there’s something for everyone. The Kinect sensor tracks every move you make and provides feedback on each workout.

Price: $29.99 at the Microsoft Store
ESRB Rating: “E” for Everyone

Fruit Ninja Kinect

The popular smartphone game is brought to the Xbox 360 through an Xbox LIVE download. Instead of using a swipe of your finger to slice up the flying fruit, the Kinect opens up the fruit demolition to your entire body. You can slice a variety of apples, pears, watermelon and other fruit by chopping at them with your arms or kicking at them with your legs. The result is often a crazed and hilarious scene, with arms and legs flying in all directions. Fruit Ninja Kinect is a game best played with family and friends, just in case someone peeks through the window and decides you need serious help!

Price: 800 Microsoft Points
ESRB Rating: “E” for Everyone

Scene It? Movie Night

A great trivia game for movie buffs, Scene It? Movie Night offers a series of questions through 14 different puzzle categories. Your goal is to answer them as quickly as possible, as your score counts down. The multi-player mode can be played with up to four people, and buzzers and strict time limits add to the competitive fun. Movie Night includes clips from favorite movies and box-office classics, and additional downloadable content will always keep the experience fresh and up-to-date.

Price: 800 Microsoft Points
ESRB Rating: “T” for Teen