So I'm trying to decide on one (and one only) game to get my 5-year-old kid for Christmas and I've whittled it down to three in the included poll. All three meet the criteria I'm looking for in an "age-appropriate" game:

Not too difficult/frustrating for young children
Non-violent (blood-n-guts-wise)
Multiplayer with cooperative play option
High replay value

I've read tons of reviews and am still torn as to which one would offer the best bang for the buck.

Of the three, which would you recommend I buy?

Oh and not to worry, he's getting Transformers as well.

 

Super Mario Galaxy 2 is the best game for the Wii. Period.

 

debatable.

at least with mario kart you can join in.

 

Kirby's Epic Yarn is epic.

It's easy, two plays can play at the same time, and there is a lot to collect if you wish, but you can just try and got through levels at your own pace. Get it.

 

I have not played Kirby yet, but it looks really good.

I say Super Mario Galaxy 2, it is a really fun game.

 

I don't own it yet, and I am going to say KIRBY. That was my E3 Megaton.... I haven't bought it because I got a Tron Controller   But I'll get it for Xmas.

 

sorry, i didn't read the original post before voting. I originally voted for mario galaxy 2 but would change it to mario kart b/c of multiplayer and replay value. Once you beat the game in galaxy 2, I imagine there's little replay value, and I don't recall any significant multiplayer. On the other hand, super mario bros. wii would top all of those choices.

take what I've said with a large grain of salt though since I never played through any of those games. it's just based on review knowledge and videos i've seen online.  

 

Kirby is good, but Mario Galaxy is the better of the two. However if you want a game that can be played by two players, go for Kirby.

 

This is a tough one: all three of them are awesome. And all three of them fit into the criteria you mentioned. But I think Mario Kart fits into it the best.

 

Super Mario Galaxy 2 hands-down.
I've been playing Kirby's Epic Yarn and it's OK but very easy to put down. And Mario Kart's good too but Galaxy, I'd say, is definitely better.

EDIT: Oh, on the note of multiplayer though, the best for co-op play out of those actually would be Kirby. Galaxy's multiplayer is barely even there and there's not much to playing co-op Mario Kart.

 

I think Mario Galaxy 2 is the best game overall, but the multiplayer consists of a second player's being a pointer.