The Bite:
Get to the next level, and save the world. Eco-minded video games teach kids (and youthful adults) about real issues like climate change without skimping on fun. Kidnapped princess not included.
Already saved Princess Toadstool...about a million times?
12.17.2007
Submitted by tmeronek on Mon, 12/17/2007 - 1:19am.
The Benefits:
- Red fireballs of fun. Games about deforestation might not sound so great at first, but neither did a certain best-selling game that features two Italian plumbers.
- Honing eco-reflexes. While we're sure there must be a lesson to learn from defeating King Koopa, solving energy-conservation puzzles has a tiny bit more real-life relevance.
Personally Speaking:
Jen has challenged the Biter team to a Ms. Pacman showdown, but we have yet to put her dot-chomping skills to the test...frankly, we're a little chicken.
Wanna Try:
- SimCity Societies - build and manage green societies to combat global warming; for PC ($44).
- Chibi-Robo: Park Patrol - water flowers, clean up trash, and help creatures in need; for Nintendo DS ($30).
- NoteNiks: Respect Our Earth - eight games for kids under 10 that challenge them to protect endangered species, save energy, and recycle; for Mac and PC ($20).
- Adventure Ecology - free, online game for kids, where they take on climate change, deforestation, and other eco-problems.
- FreeRice - free, online vocab game that donates 20 grains of real rice to the UN World Food Program for each word you get right.
Lisa Evans
Cocktail Fact
Before going out of business, Atari steamrolled, buried, and poured concrete over millions of unsold ET cartridges in the NM desert.
Bang For The Bite
Playing these games won't actually save the world, but they'll develop strong, positive environmental reflexes for use in real life.
Tips Like This
07.09.2007
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