We all know that buying video games for youngsters can be a bit of a minefield - particularly if they want to be like their older siblings, yet lack the motor skills for some of the more complex games. Too many titles aimed at little ones have too much text, too complicated controls or require too high a skill level, leading to some rather frustrated children. Occasionally though, one comes along that gets the balance right - whether it's Hello Kitty's a globe-trotting cute 'em up, a Timmy-tastic mini-game collection or the simplistic platformer Frozen: Olaf's Quest. And, just in time for Christmas, come two new contenders for the kid-friendly crown.
Thomas & Friends: Steaming Around Sodor, to give it it's full title, is a steam-train-themed collection of puzzles and games, perfect for the engine's pint-sized fans. With a story mode narrated by the same voice from the Thomas & Friends TV show (though sadly not Ringo Starr), the game follows Thomas and co as they go all out to get the island of Sodor ready for some very important visitors - the Duke and Duchess of Boxford, under the watchful eye of the Fat Controller. With three difficulty levels letting the game adapt to cater to all ages, it's up to you to lend the engines a hand across nine different mini-games, designed to test your logic, memory and problem-solving skills. While there's little information as of yet about what these will involve, we do know the names of a few of the mini-games, and have a few screens that show off the game's colourful graphics. While we can't really guess what Ready to Roll and Cargo Shunt, involve, Troublesome Tracks appears to be a kind of Pipe Mania-esque track placing puzzle, while Harold's Medal Mission seems to involve flying the red and white helicopter through the skies, picking up gold medals. As for Hide and Peep, we're guessing that'll be a hide and seek mini-game of sorts, based on the title alone - but regardless of what the final collection involves, we're sure it'll be another winning compilation of kid-friendly games to keep the little ones entertained this Christmas.
Here's Troublesome Tracks - can you get Thomas to the finish?
In a similar vein to Thomas comes another themed mini-game collection, this time starring the hero next door himself, Fireman Sam. Called Fireman Sam: To The Rescue, it looks to be another set of nine quick-fire puzzles, with a narrated story following Sam and the crew as they attend to three different emergency call-outs in and around Pontypandy, complete with multiple difficulty levels so that even the youngest of Sam's fans can give it a go. Once more, there's relatively little information on the types of mini-games you'll be playing, but we do have a few names, with Action Stations, Careless Campers, Naughty Norman and Cat Capers making up just a few of the mini-games awaiting. Based on GSP's similar titles from years gone by, we're expecting some simple spot the differences games, jigsaws and simon-says or pairs style memory games that kids are likely to play over and over and over again.
When he hears the firebell chime, Fireman Sam is there on time [doo doo de doo doo de]
Both games will be hitting stores over the next month or two, just in time for Christmas, with Thomas & Friends launching on the 2nd October, and Fireman Sam following a bit later, on the 20th November. Both will hit the 3DS at a budget-friendly £24.99, bringing with them some bargain-priced mini-game fun for the youngest of games fans everywhere.
