Best video games for the 2009 holidays

Though not cheap, video games are one of the few gifts that your kids are sure to use a lot (and for which they’ll undoubtedly thank you). Here are some of the year’s top titles.

The Beatles: Rock Band
At last, a version of the popular game that’s guaranteed to make the whole family "come together." Use the plastic instruments you already have from Rock Band and Guitar Hero (or buy new Beatles-branded ones), and groove to 45 Fab Four songs like "A Hard Day’s Night," "Octopus’s Garden" and "Yellow Submarine." The game spans the band’s entire career and features some of their most famous settings, including the late Shea Stadium. Rated T. MTV Games; Nintendo Wii, PS3, Xbox 360. $60–$250.

LittleBigPlanet PSP
This portable spin-off of last year’s PlayStation 3 hit allows players to control and customize adorable, doll-like Sackboys and -girls and put them through the paces in various puzzles and adventures. A handful of new mini-games has been added to the mix (Sackboy surfing, anyone?), and players can create and share levels with others around the world thanks to the Internet tool. Rated E. Sony Computer Entertainment; PSP. $40.

Where’s Waldo? The Fantastic Journey!
Kids look for Waldo and his pals in 12 different interactive maps; along the way, they’re also challenged to find hard-to-spot objects. A split-screen multiplayer mode allows family and friends to compete or join in the search. Rated E. Ubisoft; Nintendo Wii, PC, Mac. $20–$30.

Spore Hero
From the creators of The Sims comes this story-driven Wii-specific spin-off of last year’s computer game Spore. Using Wii-motes, players battle monsters and solve puzzles to save their planet from dark forces. They can also earn up to 250 new body parts to customize their heroic beast. Rated E10+. Electronic Arts; Nintendo Wii. $50.

The Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road
This virtual retelling of the time-honored tale takes more inspiration from L. Frank Baum’s book than from the Judy Garland flick. Still, youngsters will recognize the main characters and the setting. Dorothy and crew are challenged to help the Wizard destroy four witches and restore peace to his land; a search for magical objects and battles with evildoers ensue. Role-playing and strategizing help kids develop brains that Scarecrow could only dream of. Rated E. XSEED Games; Nintendo DS. $30.

Mini Ninjas
While most ninja games are violent, this one is decidedly cute. Players take on the role of Hiro, a magic-wielding fighter out to defeat a samurai warlord who has turned all of the land’s fuzzy animals into his minions. The game’s charming visual style and humorous details (like an enemy whose flatulence proves deadly) make playing a laugh-out-loud experience rather than a scary one. Rated E10+. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment; Nintendo Wii, PS3, Xbox 360, PC. $30–$50.

Band Hero
The creators of Guitar Hero have finally realized that the younger generation prefers pop music to rock. Here, would-be band members use their instruments to play some 65 tunes by the likes of Hilary Duff, Janet Jackson and the Village People. Taylor Swift, Maroon 5’s Adam Levine and the members of No Doubt are all playable characters. Rated E10+. Red Octane; Nintendo Wii, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360. $40–$200.

Scribblenauts
This word and puzzle game challenges kids’ vocabulary, spelling and make-believe skills simultaneously. Players type out words to conjure objects and solve logic problems. Each dilemma has multiple solutions; for instance, if a child is tasked with cooling someone off, he can type anything from "fan" to "rain" to "popsicle." The possibilities are endless; parents of little ones should keep in mind that even cartoony versions of weapons can be summoned. Rated E10+. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment; Nintendo DS. $30.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games
In anticipation of Vancouver 2010, tykes try out skiing, snowboarding, bobsledding and figure skating in the guise of Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog or their personalized Mii. In certain mini-games, you can use your Wii Fit balance board. Rated E. Sega; Nintendo Wii. $50.