To an increasing extent, Disney is ensuring a multi-faceted release schedule for all of its largest properties, all of which revolves around the theatrical or DVD release of major films in its stable. As a perfect example, Disney’s “Brother Bear” hit the DVD streets in March, at almost the exact time that Disney Interactive released both GBA and PC versions of “Brother Bear,” the interactive editions.

Fittingly for a video game studio that caters exclusively to children, Disney Interactive has kept its price points appealingly low for all platforms. With retail prices on even the newest releases rarely exceeding $20, Disney is proving exceptional value as compared with the inflated prices of more “serious” games, which remain in the $40-50 range.

Moreover, the game releases that tie to Disney’s cinema franchises are fittingly resonant releases to capitalize on the popularity of big names like “The Lion King” and “Lizzie McGuire.” While certainly lacking the complexity and largess of its serious brethren, there is something to be said for simple, two-dimensional adventures that are still able to capture the imaginations of children.

Disney has ensured that most of its releases are appropriate for young children, with specific titles tailored more precisely to the very young. For example, Disney’s “Princess” films have proved very successful to young girls, and the accompanying games are ideally suited to the five or six year old age range. Both “Cinderella’s Castle Designer” and the “Royal Horse Show” feature similar magic and wonder to that which features strongly in the Cinderella and Princess tales.

Moving one notch down the scale, Disney’s “Learning” titles are educational games that promise to keep children entertained at the very same time that they teach basic concepts of learning. The “Learning” releases range from those tailored to pre-Preschool (!) kids, through Preschool, into Kindergarten, and finally into Grades 1 and 2. Each release is chock-full of games, stuffed onto multi-CD-ROM sets that practically guarantee that your kids will be occupied throughout these important formative years.

Finally, one need not purchase an expensive console system for most of the Disney titles, as they are almost universally available only for PC users and Game Boy Advance owners. Just like the consoles in question, the games are simple, captivating, and even educational at the same time.

Spy Kids Adventure Collection 2004

The Spy Kids Collection has two great CD-ROM games plus FREE spy glasses that let you see behind you! Spy Kids: Mega Mission Zone allows kids to travel through the action-packed locations from BOTH Spy Kids I and II films collecting gadgets and doing everything that makes spying fun. Infiltrate enemy strongholds, evade bad guys in spy vehicles, diffuse booby traps, hack into computers, elude security systems, solve puzzles, and track enemy spies with high-tech gadgets to earn full clearance as a Level One Spy Kid. So grab a disguise and prepare to become a Spy Kid! Spy Kids 3D: Game Over: Juni has returned from retirement to save the world from an evil inventor who has created an online game that traps players into the world of video games. Time to suit up for your next adventure in the third dimension. Enter the world of a 3-D video game, where the exciting world of spies comes to life and where kids must play their best spy skills.