I know. I know. It's counter intuitive to recommend video games for students, but let's consider the lighter side of gaming. Casual games are here to stay and that's great news for parents and loved ones alike. And let's not forget that students are on a budget, so they've got to entertain themselves somehow. My back to school game list includes games that are easy to fit in during a quick break from studying and will flex your brain powers to boot.
The Beatles: Rock Band
Almost everyone goes through their artistic phase. And everyone from Robert Pattinson to Kim Kardashian has played Rock Back. Well, now gamers can get in on the musical genius action with The Beatles: Rock Band. Live out your Fab Four fantasies with this iteration of the hit rhythm game. Let's be honest, it's also going to attract mom, dad, grandma, and grandpa, too!
Wii Fit Plus
If you've enrolled in archery instead of track and field, you might want to round out your exercise routine with Wii Fit Plus. The follow-up to Wii Fit, you can look forward to an added calorie tracker and games like juggling or skateboarding. Wiiii!
Tetris Splash
Every student needs a quick Tetris break to relieve stress. There are even studies that show positive impacts of Tetris on the brain. I'm not saying you'll play your way to a PhD, but here's to hoping, right? The game is fast, challenging, and downloadable from Xbox Live.
Trivial Pursuit
How about reviving game night with Trivial Pursuit? This game is fun for a cheap evening in with friends. The game is just like the board game, but with cute animation and you don't have to lean across the board to move your piece. And who doesn't love trivia questions?
7 Wonders II
Take your puzzle game on the go with 7 Wonders II on the Nintendo DS. This game is easy to start up and drop any time. For those of us with little patience for bookstore lines, this is a nice distraction.
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Chenda Ngak has contributed to GamePro magazine, Star Wars Insider, OMGlists.com, Nerve.com, Flixster.com, Yahoo! Shine, and OrbitzInsider.com. Read her brilliantly illogical tweets at: Twitter.com/ChendaNgak. For more information, visit GamePro.com for the latest reviews, previews, screen shots, and videos of your favorite games.
