Gamers come in all shapes, sizes, and ages now. You no longer have to wait until you are old enough to hold a controller before mom and dad sink money into a console. Kids can game as soon as they can swipe their fingers on a screen. Mac games may be slightly more complex, but there is still lots of kid-friendly content that even the youngest gamers can enjoy. Here's our list of favorites. • • • • • • • Frozen Free Fall Anything with a Frozen theme is bound to excite most kids these days. Frozen Free Fall is a match-three style game that lets you clear away frosty gems.

It provides enough complexity that grown-ups can get carried away with it, but can also be played very simply. If your little one just wants to match colors without keeping score, they will still have fun. Plus, with the likes of Elsa and Olaf hanging around, it's almost like they are right there playing along with you. In addition to the icy Winter mode, you can unlock Summer mode by completing enough levels. For a bit of match-three fun that the whole family can enjoy, play this Frozen themed version for hours of warm hugs. This game does offer in-app purchases, so be sure your are set up.

In the old days, you’d have to look elsewhere for Mac games. When the rare game was ported to Mac, you’d have to purchase the Mac-only version to run it on your Mac. These days, many of the games you already own probably have Mac versions available. Some game developers are more cross-platform than others — for example, all of Valve’s. Also another site has old applications: As things go, hopefully the files you find interesting haven't been modified.

• Free - Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse Castle of Illusion is a great platform game that originally came out on Sega Genesis and has since been updated and released on new devices, including Mac. It's a perfect entry-level game for kids that have mastered simple games and are ready for something a bit more complex. It is a typical platform style game. Players must time jumps so they don't fall into the abyss. There are puzzles that need solving. But none of it is so complicated or complex that a young gamer couldn't get the hang of it eventually.

It uses the arrow and space keys on your keyboard, with a couple of additional keys for special moves. It was originally built for console gaming, so using a compatible game pad is recommended. I've played it with the keyboard and it is somewhat awkward. If your little one is ready to graduate to some more skill-based gaming, Castle of Illusion is a great gateway game into the platformer genre. • $14.99 Cars 2: The Video Game What could be more fun than combining one of Disney's most popular animated films with a good old-fashioned racing game? Adding weapons, that's what.

You can take control of Lightning McQueen or one of the other iconic Cars 2 characters and race to catch the bad guys as a secret agent for C.H.R.O.M.E. You'll learn all of the tricks to racing, drifting, and pulling off sweet tricks in the air. It's not all fun and games, though. You'll have to take down enemy Lemons with machine guns, lasers, missiles, and more. You can choose from about a half dozen iconic characters right from the start. Plus, you will unlock new racers as you play missions.

Missions also unlock new courses and types of races that you can have fun with. Cars 2: The Video Game is definitely designed for older kids between ages eight to 13. Players use the arrow keys to drive, but they must also use many different key combinations to activate stunts and weapons. It has somewhat high system requirements. Don't download the game until you've made sure your Mac meets the minimum. If your preteen loves racing games and has fond memories of Cars 2, The Video Game will satisfy their need for speed.

• $9.99 - Amelia and the Terror of the Night - Story Book for Kids Even grown-ups can be scared of the dark sometimes. It always helps when you have friends to help guide you through the night. That's what Amelia and her adventurous friends find out as they head out on a dangerous journey to stop an evil creature from stealing souls. This is mostly an interactive storybook with some mini games peppered throughout.

On each page, you can look out for three hidden stars. When you click on a circle, you'll reveal a surprise character, and possible a star. There are also a couple of mini games to keep young minds engaged, like Hide & Seek, or a Simon Says style pattern copy game. Amelia and the Terror of the Night is best suited for smaller children, between the ages of four and six. Though I should point out that it deals with some dark themes and may trigger some questions from your little one. Paragon ntfs 9.0 for mac.