Games for Seniors

New Trend in Games for Seniors

Games are fun to play and seniors love to have fun. Naturally, card games, bingo and Mahjong are still very popular among the senior set, along with other standards such as bridge, Scrabble and Uno. Nevertheless, along with the old traditional standbys, there is a great amount of interest in other types of games as more Baby Boomers reach senior status each day.

Nostalgic Board Games

Many seniors have fond memories of playing a favorite board game in their younger years. The Internet gives these seniors and their families the opportunity to find these classic games through websites such as eBay and others dedicated to games from years ago. Several game companies have produced updated versions of popular classic board games from earlier generations. Seniors enjoy playing these games with family members, at community senior centers and at informal game nights with friends.

Several of the more popular games seniors love to play include:

• Trivial Pursuit
• Monopoly
• Life
• Operation
• Scrabble
• Sorry
• Battleship
• Dominoes
• Stratego
• Risk
• Yahtzee
• Clue

More Board Games Seniors Love to Play

The growing interest that seniors show in playing board games has led many game manufacturers to introduce fun and interesting games geared toward seniors.

• I Love Lucy Trivia Board Game
• Seniors Moments - a fun and challenging memory game
• The Senior Game
• Reminiscing - A memory challenging game of past events, music, television, radio, fads, clothing and more
• Sudoko Board Game
• Senior Sez
• Scene It With many editions Scene It is fun for everyone. Editions seniors particularly enjoy are theTurner Classic Movie Edition,Turner Classic Movies Super Game Pack, and the Deluxe Movie Edition.

Where to Find Board Games

• Senior Super Store
• EBay
• Nostalgia Central
• Nostalgic Collectibles
• Retro toys R Fun
• Nostalgia Games
• TAC Games

Computer and Hand Held Games

When many people think of the Internet world of gamers they generally think of teenagers playing computer games. Surprisingly, over 25 percent of all gamers today are over the age of 50, according to Entertainment Software Association. Many seniors say that playing games like Final Fantasy, Guild Wars or The Elder Scrolls keep them connected with others in their virtual worlds.

Playing computer games helps to sharpen the mind and reflexes. Besides role-playing games, many seniors enjoy playing online games including:

• Free cell
• Flip words
• Text twist
• Bookworm
• Texas Hold-Em

A very popular game enjoyed by the senior set is Brain Age which is played on the hand held Nintendo DS System. Brain Age is a workout for your brain, as it stimulates and challenges your memory and skills.

Virtual Sports on the Wii Nintendo Gaming System

Introduced in November 2006, Nintendo’s Wii is quickly becoming a senior favorite as virtual sports game playing spreads throughout the country. Although seniors enjoy many of the different games including baseball, tennis and golf, bowling is the most popular.

Virtual bowling tournaments are being held at community senior centers and nursing homes as seniors can once again experience the joy of the game. Family bowling nights include all family members from kids to grandparents, as games are played in front of their television sets.

As the Wii is played, each movement of the player is simulated on the television screen. Even those seniors that have difficulty walking or standing are able to participate in virtual sports that make them feel like they are actually playing the game. Seniors are embracing the Wii as a form of exercise and enjoyment.

Conclusion

Whether you prefer board games, virtual sports or action-packed computer games, there is a wide variety of games for seniors that will provide years of pleasure.