Best and worst holiday 2011 video games for kids (photos)

[Note: This list of the 10 best-selling video games on Amazon.com is from the week of November 7, and may not exactly match the current top 10 list.]

Rated M

Good for kids?
Not really, but could be worse. Plenty of shooting, but little blood or gore.

Biggest problem:
The game's Wild West online community, in large part underage kids already, is prone to offensive language of all stripes.

Good for kids?
Probably too slow-paced and complex for most children.

Biggest problem:
You can choose to be good or evil, or nearly any shade of gray morality in between, and negative behavior is often rewarded.

Good for kids?
Sci-fi shooting, but no blood or sex--it's a bit surprising this game even received an M rating.

Biggest problem:
Like other multiplayer games, you can run into a lot of questionable online chatter from people you're playing with.

Good for kids?
Definitely, and it’s reasonably mentally stimulating, with puzzle-solving and exploration.

Biggest problem:
There's a bit of a Jobsian Reality Distortion Field about Zelda games. They’re good, but they’re not *that* good.

Good for kids?
No worse than an Indiana Jones movie, but can be scary in places, especially if you're not into spiders...

Biggest problem
A handful of double-entendres from one of the characters as a running joke.

Good for kids?
Yes, but it can get frustratingly difficult later on.

Biggest problem:
Are younger kids even aware of Mario these days?

Good for kids?
Sure--and no soccer moms!

Biggest problem:
Potential future football hooliganism…

Good for kids?
You’re playing as a member of historical league of assassins, so probably not…

Biggest problem:
Lots of, well, assassinations.

Good for kids?
Definitely not. Gang wars, shootouts with the cops, and plenty of urban sex and violence.

Biggest problem:
It lacks any of the redeeming storytelling qualities of the Grand Theft Auto games (and that's not intended sarcastically).

Good for kids?
More realistic and grimmer than Call of Duty.

Biggest problem:
Plenty of ripped-from-the-headlines global hot-spot violence. Multiplayer matches can get heated.

• Disney Universe [Wii and Xbox 360 (via Kinect)]
• Ratchet and Clank All 4 One [PS3]
• LEGO Harry Potter, Years 5-7 [all platforms]
• Kinect Sports: Season Two [Xbox 360/Kinect]