I will forever be a defender of video games.

Being a girl who spent too much time in her parent’s basement playing games like Chrono Trigger and Yoshi’s Island, I feel like an outsider when I bring up my days of fighting evil and time traveling to anyone out of the loop.

I won’t even mention the looks my roommates gave me when I told them what I plan to be for Halloween this year.

But, I’ve decided to take a stand and stop all of this anti-video game sentiment from girls my age once and for all!

Video games aren’t nerdy. They aren’t difficult. And no, you don’t have to master Halo 3 to get enjoyment out of a gaming system.

If you take the time to look into what’s available for the most novice player, I guarantee that you will find something that you will love, especially on the Nintendo Wii!

That’s why I’ve come up with some games that will surely prove that not all video games require a joystick:

Boogie

Like most Wii games, Boogie gets you off the couch and moving. Like getting inappropriately drunk and making a fool of yourself at Karaoke Night? Save your dignity and do it at home! Boogie comes with it’s own microphone so you can sing along to some old-school classics. Invite your friends from down the hall and make it a group thing.

You’ll be forced to get up and dance…which is so not what you think of when you think “video game”, right?

Perfect!

Big Brain Academy

Big Brain Academy is a perfect for those days (or nights) where you don’t feel like hitting the bars or when you need an excuse to put off your History paper. Designed to assess your “brain weight” over time, BBA has tons of mini-games that will improve your logic, math, reading, and memory skills. It’s totally entertaining to play with a friend or alone.

Bonus: it’s perfect to use to settle bets. For example: “Who ever gets the worst score in the logic game has to go for a beer run!”

Who says video games are useless?

Mario Party 8

Mario Party 8 tells it like it is. For 1-4 players, this game is made for a crowd. Perfect for Friday night pre-gaming, MP8 will entertain you with a plethora of mini-games that are so ridiculous you’ll never think you’re even playing a video game.

One of my favorites? The water skiing…if only because I find a little too much enjoyment in watching Mario wipe out.

The bottom line is that games CAN be accessible. It’s not all shoot-’em-up, blood and guts type stuff. And even though it might bring to mind loners, sitting in their dark room never to return…they can be social activites too!

Try them out! I promise you’ll love it!