GamerPops Game of the Year – Family Games

The Family Games category in our Games of the Year series is a big one, and there are a large number of titles to choose from. When looking at family games vs more child-based fare, we examine how well families can play together. Games that stand out provide different levels of difficulty or the ability to help out younger gamers. These games also do a great job of providing something for every age and experience of gamer, allowing you to get out of the game whatever you want to put in. Drop-in, drop-out co-op play is also a big plus. Games in this category are why we started GamerPops in the first place.

The Nominees

Kirby's Return to Dream Land (Wii) - Developed by HAL Laboratory, published by Nintendo

LEGO: Pirates of the Caribbean (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS, PSP)- Developed by Traveller's Tales, published by Disney Interactive Studios

Just Dance 3 (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii) - Developed by Ubisoft Paris, published by Ubisoft

Skylanders Spyro's Adventure (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, 3DS) - Developed by Toys For Bob, published by Activision

And the Game of the Year is

Kirby’s Return to Dream Land started as a bit of a dark horse, as much as a Nintendo game with a recognizable character can be. We’d seen the game at E3, and while it did make our top 10 from the show, it hadn’t received the attention that other games did. Once we got extended time with the game, though, its true genius was on full display.