Angry Birds Star Wars combines two universes that are incredibly popular with kids, making it a great video game for exercising thinking skills
Star Wars: The Force Awakens hit theaters across the country yesterday, setting international records. The Force Awakens has fully lived up to every bit of its hype, managing to awaken the force in even the oldest, most jaded fans and prompting kids everywhere to make light sabers out of anything remotely cylindrical. Likewise, the newest Star Wars game, Star Wars Battlefront, has given publisher Electronic Arts its best digital launch ever, breaking download records and surpassing other Star Wars games in initial sales. It seems everyone wants to be part of the Star Wars universe, but you don’t need a fancy new game console or a superfast computer to help save the galaxy.
We’ve rounded up our favorite Star Wars games for a variety of platforms, from the newest consoles to Xbox 360 to Android and iOS. Your kids will loves these games because they allow them be part of the most popular thing in pop culture right now, and you’ll love them because they are games that improve thinking skills like planning, focus, organization, self-awareness, time management, and working memory.
[cjphs_content_placeholder id=”73597″ random=”no” ]Without further ado, here’s our list of 5 Star Wars games that improve thinking skills.
Star Wars Battlefront – As mentioned above, Star Wars Battlefront is the record-breaking Star Wars game every fan wants to play. The game is not just beautiful and immersive, it also exercise key executive functions like time management, planning, focus, and self-awareness. The survival mode pits players against waves of Stormtroopers, making it vital that they think ahead and pay attention. The online multiplayer is cooperative, allowing players to build teams up to 20 strong in order to complete missions and objectives, giving kids a chance to practice social and communication skills in a fun setting.
Kids will practice organization and focus, among other skills, as they manage the “bitizens” in Tiny Death Star
Star Wars Kinect – For the Xbox 360 Kinect, this game is an exciting and fun way to relive (or introduce kids to) the most memorable scenes from the original Star Wars films. Star Wars Kinect will get your kids moving and practicing self-control and working memory as they duel with light sabers, ride speeders, participate in a pod race, and even dance with Princess Leia.
Angry Birds Star Wars – It doesn’t seem like there’s a kid out there who doesn’t love Angry Birds or Star Wars, making the combination of the two a dream come true. Kids will find their flexibility and planning skills challenged as they fling birds across Tatooine, topple AT-ATs, and smash their way through the Death Star. What’s even cooler about Angry Birds Star Wars is that it’s available on iPhone, iPod, iPad, Android (including Kindle), Windows Phone, PS3, PS Vita, Wii U, Wii, 3DS, PC and Mac.
Star Wars: The Old Republic – Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR) is an MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role playing game) that has been out for a while now but continues to amass new content and new players. The game is free to play, allowing users to sidestep the rather costly subscription price for an only slightly altered gaming experience. Players choose a character from a variety of races and cultures in the Star Wars universe and work alongside players from all over, challenging self-awareness skills in addition to the organization and working memory skills that are commonly called on by MMORPGs.
Tiny Death Star – From the makers of Tiny Tower, a surprisingly popular and “addictive” iPad game, comes an adventure of epic (and tiny) proportions. Tiny Death Star will have your kids practicing focus and organization as they manage a Death Star full of Star Wars themed “Bitizens” who work and live in businesses and residences–and even (hidden) Imperial levels. This economic management sim will give kids reading comprehension and math practice, too.
Featured image: mmorpgwall.com
