The Top 10 Video Games To Improve Senior Health

If you think that video games are for lazy teenagers or adult couch potatoes only, think again. Once you start reaching your ‘golden’ age or if you are way past your 60s and 70s, your heart, body and mind can use the adrenaline rush brought about by the modern gaming devices which are available today.

Why Video Games Aren’t Just For Kids Anymore?

So what exactly are the benefits that grandma and grandpa can get from playing Wii, online games, PlayStation 2 or similar gaming devices? There’s actually a lot more to video gaming than you may actually think.

A good number of studies in the past have shown that playing video games has many positive benefits to senior health. For young people, one of the benefits of playing video games is to sharpen their problem-solving abilities. Video games are even known to improve the skills of a surgeon in the operating table.

Now, to give you an idea about the health benefits that older people will enjoy, take a look at the following list:

1. According to the Psychology and Aging magazine, playing complex video games after receiving training may improve the cognitive functions of seniors. This is one the functions which typically decline with age.

2. Aside from improving their cognitive functions, video games which require seniors to juggle multiple tasks may also improve their ability to perform some other everyday tasks in the ‘real world’.

3. Researches done in the past also indicated that video games such as the ones provided by Nintendo and Wii can be successfully used to doctor seniors with Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and other illnesses of a psychological or psychosocial nature.

4. Preliminary studies have shown that strategy video games may help older adults in keeping their brains razor sharp.

Since you will be playing with the aid of a joystick, video games can help improve your eye-hand coordination.
To sum it all up, what video games do is keep an aging brain young – which is why they bring forth a multitude of benefits for a senior’s overall health. And with the introduction of Wii fitness-themed games, who says that they can’t enjoy the physical benefits of video games as well?

Top 10 Video Games to Improve Senior Health

After learning about the benefits of using video games to improve senior health, which games should you borrow from your grand kids? Here are the top 10 video games which help improve senior health:

1. Brain Age and Brain Age2

This is a video game developed by Nintendo DS, which has already spawned a sequel: Brain Age2. Both the original and the sequel video games are inspired by the work of Japanese neuroscientist Dr. Ryuta Kawashima.

Basically, what the Brain Age video game will assist you with is stimulating your brain by giving it the workout that it needs with activities like solving simple math problems, currency counting, drawing pictures or unscrambling letters.

As indicated in their website, the activities in the Brain Age2 video game will increase the blood flow to your prefrontal cortex. [

Video Games are Man’s Greatest Invention

Throughout time man has invented, innovated, and dreamt big to lead us to our present day world. Is the wheel the greatest invention, or the cell phone, or perhaps modern medicine? No. Video Games are man’s greatest invention…easily.

Why can something so trivial be as of importance and even greater than the wheel or even the smallpox vaccine? The answer is a simple one but you must open your mind; video games are responsible for creating more imaginative minds than any wheel or cell phone have ever created. Modern technologies have allowed dreamers to create their own 3d worlds, universes if you will, that are beginning to rival the size of our own Planet. If God is thought to have the biggest imagination of all, clearly he gave us the ability to think big, but we lacked the tools until recently.

Early man showed signs of artistic thought and thinking outside the box with pictures telling great stories on the sides of ancient cave walls; would we have known about their artistic side if the cave or material they wrote with didn’t exist? Of course not, just like we wouldn’t know Mozart was a great piano player, or Michael Jordan was the greatest basketball player ever if the piano or basketball were not created. It is the inventions that allow people the most freedom to express themselves; who they are, what they think, and what they dream about. Never in the history of man has a tool allowed one to express themselves so emphatically other than Video games.

In a world where we are limited to 100 years or less, video games allow people to explore vast universes, join hunting parties, make friendships, establish enemies, engage in combat, lose battles, gain great victories, and still live to fight another day. It is the greatest teacher of all that encourages trial and error, and thinking outside the box. Has a wheel ever inspired a kid to dream of another universe, or find out if he/she is a relentless explorer, an achiever, a socialite, or perhaps even a great guild leader?

It is easy to look at a game and judge it at face value, as just a fun toy to play with, while looking at the wheel as the greatest architectural advancement in the modern world. I simply ask what’s more important: To understand architecture and the intricacies of the wheel and shapes or to be able to question the very thing discovered and simulate your own virtual empire with all different shapes and sizes.

Imagine if our ancestors had the ability to play Eve Online two-thousand years ago. They would be so excited about space travel and the virtual space they played in, they would probably have dreamt up a better space shuttle than we currently use. Only a handful of people dream about actually entering space, and this is why Nasa isn’t advancing as fast as it could. What if every child in America was exposed to mock simulations of space travel, space exploration, in a 3d environment that would rival real life? The outcome would be a society hell-bent on traveling outside our solar system. Those children would grow into adults, adult explorers, leading the way to exploration all because of a spark, a seed, of imagination implanted in their psyche since they discovered their virtual space.

Is it any wonder why our society craves violence and misery as we are exposed to it constantly as children? We seek out in our adult life what we know to be true as children. Thankfully video games are here to save our minds from “reality” and allow us once again to think of possibilities and a world where boundaries become laughable and society becomes free willed.

So log onto World Of Warcraft, City of Heroes, Ultima Online, Shadowbane, DAoC, Tabula Rasa, or perhaps Eve Online, without feeling guilty for expressing your inner self. The wheel’s time to shine has come and passed…it is now merely a tool under my chair to wheel me closer to my magical box that lets me think ever so freely.


Video Games – Buying Video Games for a Gaming Tot A Quick How To Guide

Visit any video game outlet and you are bound to get overwhelmed by the hundreds of choices available especially if you’re new to gaming. Interestingly, children and teens seem to know their way around these places as if they were their second home. But for the adult, the typical video store looks like some sort of color paint explosion and sooner or later, all the games start to look the same. This guide is for the adult who’s buying a game for a younger person perhaps as a birthday gift or as a bribe. Whatever the reason, you’re going to appreciate the following tips.


1. Research this strange phenomenon before setting foot inside a video store. There’s plenty of information available about video games online, so to reduce frustration offline, fire up your web browser and do a little homework. Visit the website of the gaming outlet nearest you and then look for a link to the games section of the system that your youngster plays. Here’s a helpful chart to explain what all those strange letters mean.


Wii = Nintendo’s Wii System

EA Sports = Entertainment Arts System

PS3 = Playstation 3 System

XBOX 360 = Microsoft’s XBOX 360 System

PC = Personal Computer

PS2 = Playstation 2 System

PSP = Playstation Portable System

DS = Nintendo’s DS System


The key is to locate the system on the store’s website first. The system, it’s accessories, and all of the games that work on that system will follow. If not, you may need to use the website’s internal search engine.


2. After locating the appropriate games section for your youngster’s machine, check out the ratings of each game and create a temporary shopping list of age appropriate material. The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) gives each game a rating in an effort to inform parents what their children are playing. Here’s a handy reference to what the ratings mean:


C = Appropriate for Early childhood

E = Appropriate for Everyone

E 10+ = Appropriate for Everyone aged 10 and older

T = Appropriate for Teens

M = Appropriate for Mature Adults


3. Within your temporary shopping list, try find a game that’s built from the latest movie release. Little people love the new animated movies put out by Disney and Pixar, and they really enjoy re-living precious moments in the movie in a video game. That’s why when these movies come out on DVD, their producers put a few games in the “Special Features section” of the CDs.


4. If you can’t find a game that’s built from a movie that the child likes, try to find a game that centers around a popular cartoon character or one that attempts to educate.


5. If you still can’t find one that resembles something that you’ve heard this particular person rambling on about, first give yourself a slight slap on the hand. You should pay better attention. Then point your browser to the nearest Blockbuster or Hollywood Video website. Follow the same procedure outlined in steps 1 – 3 only this time, elect to rent 5 or 6 games that look appealing. This will give your tot a chance to play some games and select one to keep forever while you return the others.


6. If on the other hand, you did find a game in step 3 or 4, you can either check out online, or drive up to the store and buy it there.


They say you can’t judge a book by its cover, but the illustrations on the both video and pc game cases do a pretty good job of representing the game’s content. So if you see an illustration of fighting warriors, chances are the game will be more violent than you prefer. If on the other hand, you see an illustration that resembles what you’d see on the cover of an interesting children’s book, the game should be age appropriate.


How to Buy Video Games for Kids Online

A guide to buying video games for kids, online.

This guide is for an adult purchasing video games online for a younger person.  If you are not already a gamer, in your initial visit to any video game retailer online you would be overwhelmed – especially if you’re new to gaming. Teens and kids with gaming addictions know their way around as it is. For the adult, the online video game store is an animated explosion.  Much like the action figure section of your local Toys R Us.

First you must do your research before shopping for games online. There’s plenty of information available about video games on the web, so to reduce frustration google ‘video game information’. Alternatively you can visit the website you plan to purchase video games from, and search for games according to what system your kid(s) have. Video games systems are usually denoted by abbreviations.  Here’s a helpful chart to explain what all those abbreviations mean:

Wii = Nintendo’s Wii System
PS3 = Playstation 3 System
XBOX 360 = Microsoft’s XBOX 360 System
PC = Personal Computer
PS2 = Playstation 2 System
PSP = Playstation Portable System
DS = Nintendo’s DS System

The key is to locate the system first. After locating the system it should be clear what games the store has available that work with that system.  After locating the appropriate games section for the game system you are purchasing for, take a look at the rating indicated on the game’s cover (if the site offers a detailed enough picture) or in the information box.  Alternatively you can go look up the ratings on the games official site.  Find the official site by googling the title of the game. The ESRB gives each game a rating in an effort to allow parents to control what their children are exposed to when playing video games. Here’s a reference for the abbreviations:

C = Appropriate for Early childhood
E = Appropriate for Everyone
E 10+ = Appropriate for Everyone aged 10 and older
T = Appropriate for Teens
M = Appropriate for Mature Adults

The majority of the time, illustrations on the covers and ads of the games you are purchasing do a wonderful job of exposing what the game is about.  So if you see an illustration of a man holding a gun, chances are, there is gore and violence in that game–you might not want that for your child.  I’d recommend making a selection based on the latest childrens and action/adventure movie releases. Kids love the new animated movies definitely enjoy re-living the best scenes from the movie, in the video game.  If you can’t find a game that’s built from a movie that the child likes, try to find a game that centers around a popular animated or action program, or one that can be considered educational.  If you still can’t find one, point your browser to the nearest Blockbuster or Hollywood Video website. Usually they have a list of the latest releases.  Use that list to compile your own list of games you would purchase for your kid(s).  Then go back to the website that you intended to buy from and enter the games on your list into their search bar.  If, on the other hand, you did find a game, you can purchase it at the given website.  I recommend http://www.whatsshopping.com. 


Video Games For Underage Children

A common assumption today is that the majority of people who either buy or play computer games and video games are children or young teenagers. In fact, well over sixty percent of all those who do play or buy such video games are over the age of eighteen. It is largely the older brothers and sisters, or even parents of the children who are the majority of gamers. When you look at the type and range of video games and computer games on the market, there is a large variety, some of which are suitable for children and families, but many of which are not, and in the case of video games which do feature more mature or adult content, this is clearly displayed on the cover label. Shops and retailers have a duty to ensure that games labelled for those only over the age of sixteen or eighteen are not sold to underage children, with proofs of age required in the case of any uncertainty. In reality, this actually happens quite rarely – even more rare than those retailers who check the ages of people buying videos and movies that have similar age restrictions or advice labels on them.


In fact, over eighty three percent of all those adults who buy computer games or video games for children against the publisher’s age recommendations are the parents themselves. There are perhaps three main reasons why this tends to be the case. The first reason is that many parents don’t even realise that computer games and video games have age limitations or restrictions at all. Unless they have carefully looked at the covers and read the labels, there is no other way of them knowing or realising. The second possible reason is that the parents know that there are age guidelines, but through simple child pester power, they give in. The age old excuse that all the child’s friends have it, and they’ve played it before many times, some parents imply give in for a quiet life.


A third possible reason is simply ignorance – that parents don’t realise just how much computer graphical capabilities have developed in the last few years. Many parents may be thinking back to the eighties when computer graphics were very pixelated and bland – no more than cartoons at best. They may well not realise that the graphical capabilities of a good video game and computer system today means that the level of detail is scarcely less that would be seen in a movie. Unless parents play an active role in looking carefully at the labels on video games, and even seeing the game itself, then this ignorance may well persist.


Perhaps it is the responsibility of the video games industry itself to increase the awareness of the importance of age guidelines on computer games, to help get the message across. If the eighty three percent of parents who buy underage goods for their children stopped doing this, then the problem of children playing these games would be seriously addressed. Clearly, since the majority of video gamers are adults, a change on the type of game available is not likely, or even appropriate, and so it is down to making sure that inappropriate items don’t fall into the wrong hands, as with anything such as alcohol, videos and car keys.


Who Plays Video Games?

With the great number of video games for sale and the huge variety of video games that are downloadable through the internet, it probably will not surprise you to learn that 60 percent of the American population has played some kind of video game. They are rivalling baseball as the great American pastime. Indeed, there are versions of baseball and NFL available as video games. Video games grew out of our fascination with computers and they are played by young and old alike. Video game playing is not limited to kids and teenagers, although children are starting to play video games at younger and more tender ages.

Nearly half of all American children aged 4 to 6 are estimated to have played video games, and a new market has sprung up to develop video games to involve toddlers and make computers more attractive for them to use. More attractive to children! Kids take to computers better than ducks to water, and stay connected for life. As of 2005, a quarter of the children in the aged four to six age group who have played computer games say it is a regular habit. The toddler, of course, cannot yet talk about their video game habits. But their parents report that children, especially boys have lost interest in playing with their traditional toys like action figures, Legos, and puzzles and prefer video games. However, kids are not the primary users of video games. Their parents played video games as children and teenagers.

We are now experiencing the phenomenon of second-generation video game players. Video games have been around since the 1970′s, clearly enough time for some third generation players to come upon the scene. Side to side, mouse to mouse with the kids are the adults who have never stopped playing or who began playing as adults. Adults represent the largest group of video game players and the average age of video gamers is 29. Certainly, the older generation has the good sense to avoid this costly, time consuming habit, you may think. Think again – 17 percent of gamers are 50 years of age and older. If this keeps up, retirement communities are no longer able to offer Bingo and Cribbage as recreational bonuses. The baby boom generation will head into its twilight years amid Dungeons and Dragons competitions.

The joy of mindlessly zoning out in virtual reality instead of actually doing something or speaking to someone is so compelling that video games are now a multibillion-dollar business. The video game companies often rival the stock exchange earnings of energy corporations and pharmaceutical companies. Nintendo often beats the earnings of major Hollywood studios. In 2004, 9.9 billion dollars was spent on video games, on consoles like PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube, and on hand-held systems like Game Boy and Nintendo DS in the U.S. alone. Of course, America is the leader in video game retail but the rest of the world is far behind, making video game stocks a hot commodity. But no one is interested in “playing ” the stock market anymore; they’re all to busy playing video games.


Best Xbox 360 Video Games

Video gaming has changed into one of the all-time biggest forms of recreation for folk of every age. Kids play Nintendo games, and adults do, too. The XBox 360 is one of the favourite games systems for folks who like to have a big range of games available to them, and who like to play live with others all around the world. For christmas 2009, there are a grouping of XBox 360 video games that people are waiting anxiously for.

For youngsters, a favorite XBox 360 video game is Cars, which is aptly named and modeled after the hit film of the same name. This story-based journey lets youngsters play through key movie moments, and have some fun in over thirty different races and games. There are over ten characters that kids can play and multi-player mode makes automobiles even more fun!

Kids and adults will adore playing DJ Hero for XBox 360. Have a battle of the DJs in your own home or online with turntables and a Guitar Hero controller. You get a turntable and mixer controller with your DJ Hero game – these let you scratch and mix to a variety of music content – you can choose the genre that suits you most perfectly. Multi-player modes include DJ vs. DJ, DJ and guitar, or DJ and DJ.

Call of Duty : Modern Warfare is high on the inventories of XBox 360 gamers everywhere. This game for mature players brings warfare to the present day with updated automobiles and weaponry, and new locations. Several multi-player modes add to the excitement where method and talent are utterly vital for survival.

DragonAge : Origins is a new and high in demand single-player role playing fantasy game letting players travel the lands of Ferelden to decide the fate of countries and ultimately the player him or herself. Players have plenty of character customization options including appearance, abilities, race, class, and appliances.

For XBox players that like dealing with the challenge of zombies, Left4Dead two is the most recent XBox 360 video game that may be a must-have. The player’s performance decides the level of customization for enemies, effects and even music. Levels, weather and lighting can even be customised to add to the excitement. Require some cool zombie fighting weapons? Try the new melee weapons – chainsaw, baseball bat, frying pan and axe. These let you get close and private with the undead that are on your trail.

If you have an XBox 360 gamer on your xmas gift list, try any of these great games – each offering thrills, fun and maybe even the occasional chill! Check out Amazon for the best prices and reviews.

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How Video Games Can Contribute To Violence In Real Life

Video games serve many purposes. They can be used as a form of entertainment. They can be used as a stress reducer or as a safer outlet for underlying aggression. Also, they can be used to increase hand and eye coordination. Video games are good for the brain. They are much better than sitting in front of a TV watching a sitcom.

Video games are good for young people because it gives them a sense of significance in the world. In the real world they have peer pressure, adult authority figures telling them what to do, and parents dictating their lives at home. Video games give kids a chance to take on the world, to solve a seeming serious problem, or to create something that would be unfeasible in real life.

Video games does not affect the rate of violence in the real world. Video games, television shows, books, radio programs, movies, and magazines are a reflection of society. Video game companies are in the money making business. If people did not buy their violent games the video game companies would produce more family friendly titles.

Video games serve as a pressure release on pent up frustration. This is not only the case for teens but for adult video game players as well. Perhaps if a disgruntled employee takes out his angst on characters on the TV screen instead of his real life colleagues then things could be improved. If instead of a teen joining a gang for a feeling of self respect, that teen could instead join in on a role player game where he can feel a sense of significance without having to resort to violence outside his house.

When I play games it is more so for entertainment and exercising my cognitive realm. Most of the day I work in front of a computer, I have pictures on the wall and interaction with people but sometimes I want to get my senses really going through highly intense gaming experiences. With the new systems it is akin to being involved in a movie you are watching, with realism increasing in games each year.

Recent video game systems are allowing people to exercise more often. The Nintendo Wii has a motion sensor controller which allows people to swing their arms as they are swinging a golf club or to punch and jab as in the Wii sports game. Exercise is a stress reducer. Video games are largely a stress reducer. Not adding violent games to the pack may only make the violence situation worse in the real world.

Violence is a human issue, not a technological issue. Before there were video games there were comic books. Would a rational person say that comic books were a great contributer to violence in society? I would think not.

Consider that if a disgruntled adult played a shooter game at home instead of taking a real gun out into the workforce. Imagine elderly adults playing video games, maintaining or enhancing their cognitive skills. Video games aren’t just for kids any more. They are a universal form of entertainment.


Online Adult Video games Can be Enjoyable

If you are the sort of person who enjoys having a good time in the privacy of your own home, then playing some online adult games may be right up your alley. The internet puts a plethora of information right at our fingertips. Set aside a few moments to unwind at the end of a long work day and partake in a couple of these themed activities. There are so numerous to choose from. There are action adventure varieties along with your basic puzzles. There are even dress up and role playing kinds!

For a fast paced good time, try an action adventure. You’ll guide your character via numerous levels throughout the game. Face off with bad guys and win the heart of the sexy bombshell so that you can win the game. Compete for the high score. Most of them have a roster that keeps track of the highest earning players, making it a fun competition.

Should you appreciate the thinking video games, erotic puzzles may be much better suited for you. Played much like classic puzzle games, they are based on your ability to make the pieces fit together logically. You are rewarded with a sexy adult image if you finish it correctly.

For the fantasy oriented, consider trying one of the dress up or doll maker games. You start by selecting the gender of the doll you want to create. Select the features you would like them to possess for example lengthy hair, open mouth, thin hips, long legs. You can choose the color of their features and choose a hair style. Then when you are finished and select their outfit, or be daring and dress them in just a smile!

Gamblers may want to try some thing a little more reserved such as a round of poker or canasta but with a twist. Pick the deck of cards to your liking. Not just your normal run of the mill playing cards either! Go wild and choose the deck with your fantasy girl or guy on it for some extra fun. Compete for real or fake money based on which website you go to.

There are also role playing video games for the more adventurous. Simulate actual life by developing your personal avatar. You are able to make it resemble your true self or produce the fantasy individual that you always dreamed of being. Take your avatar on real-time adventures. You can choose from a variety of locations and settings.

Begin by developing your character. This cartoon can look just like you or you can create something totally from your imagination. Send your character out in the virtual globe to meet others and have conversations and even go on virtual dates. How far you want to go is up to you.

With so many different types of online adult games available on the net, it’s going to be hard to choose a favorite. From classic cards to the more fantastical role playing types, there is something for everyone. Many of the websites offer totally free memberships or allow you play for totally free without even signing up. Some websites that are more advanced may need membership or a small fee. You choose which one will work best for you personally, but remember, it is all just fun and games!


Video Games For Kids Bring Joy And Fun

Kids of this era are quite intelligent, sharp and active. Their learning skills have been polished. And there is an important part played by video games for kids. With the help of video games, your kids do not waste time, but if you keep a close check on your kids and get them interesting and learning games, then they would certainly learn a lot, while playing games. There are lots and lots of options available these days. The world of video games has become so vast that your kids have ample opportunities and they can select the games of their own choice. The availability of techno gaming consoles have changed the way, kids can spend their leisure time. Gaming has never been so much fun, as it has become at this point of time.

Video games for kids have changed the way; your kids can have fun, while sitting at their homes. You can buy the gaming console of your own choice. Make sure that the console, you are going to purchase is easy to000000000 operate for your kids or you can also help your children playing and operating games. If your child is too small to play complicated and difficult games, then you can buy him games from preschoolers. He will easily play those games and will also learn a lot while playing. It is good for the learning skills that you encourage your kids to spend some time on playing video games.

If you want to get one of the best consoled for your kids, then you can buy Xbox360 for your child. There is a wide range of Xbox games available in the market. Take your kids along with you and buy Xbox Kids of this era are quite intelligent, sharp and active. Their learning skills have been polished. And there is an important part played by video games for kids. With the help of video games, your kids do not waste time, but if you keep a close check on your kids and get them interesting and learning games,. Do not let your children buy the games of their own choice. Adult video games should never be purchased. See the rating at the aback of the video game cover and then let your child purchase it. It is important to buy the games, which your kids like to play, but the only thing is that you must keep a close eye. There are various other game consoles available, which have also become very popular.