Games for Sony Playstation and Play Station Portable tend to be designed for a teenage and adult market, there are few games for younger children available in the PlayStation 2 format. For PSP there is nothing which is ideal or targeted towards a very young player; however, there are a few games which are highly recommended and enjoyed by children from age 5 and upwards.
Sony PSP Children's Games Based on TV Characters
The following games are most suited to children aged between 7 and 9.
- Ben 10
- Ben 10 Alien Force
- Spongebob SquarePants The Yellow Avenger
In Europe the Ben 10 games have a 7+ age rating, which would coincide with the age at which children are likely to start watching the TV series. The games are reported to be very engaging but older children may find them too easy.
The Yellow Avenger is enjoyable for younger children from about age 5 but they may require some help with the small amount of reading.
More Recommended Sony PSP Games for Children
Loco Roco and Loco Roco 2 are "love them or hate them" games because of the surreal imagery. Fans of the games are as likely to be adults as well as children.
- Loco Roco
- Loco Roco 2
Lego Video Games for Sony PSP
The Lego video games are incredibly successful and popular for the simple reason that they are very good, easy to play but challenging and funny. Enjoyable for adults, fans of the films and young children.
The Lego Star Wars games are ideal for children aged 5+ with minimal reading required. Lego Batman has a 7+ rating in Europe. The two Lego Indiana Jones games are also available for PSP but these may be better appreciated after either Star Wars or Batman has been mastered. A Lego Harry Potter game is due to be released in June 2010,
- Lego Star Wars
- Lego Batman
PSP Games for Kids Based on Films
Two games for the Play Station Portable which are successful movie spin offs and enjoyed by young children are:
- Cars
- Up
The Best Young Children's Games for Sony PSP
The best game will depend on the age, interests and abilities of the child. There are no PSP games for toddlers and preschoolers and far fewer games for younger kids available in the Sony PSP format than for Nintendo DS. All the games listed in this article are enjoyed and recommended by children in the age group of 5 to 9.
An investment in a DS or alternative console for younger children, such as those by Vteck, should be considered if younger children are to join in with a family who enjoys playing video games because of the greater range of age appropriate games that are available.
Deborah Percy - BSc. MA. Managing Director of a heating & plumbing business. Interest in maths, science & research. Mother of 3, including twins.
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