*FamilyFriendlyVideoGames.com Favorite* - This was one of our favorite family-friendly video games we saw at the E3 video game trade show in Los Angeles in June.

**Many thanks to GamingEvolution.info, one of our partners, for their help in compiling information for this Report Card.  To read their full impressions of PlayStation Move, please visit http://gamingevolution.info/?id=11246.**
PlayStation Move is Sony’s entry into the motion control gaming market in which Nintendo has been the only player since 2006.  For families interested in this type of gaming, they’ll likely have a big decision to make this year as to whether or not to pick up Sony’s PlayStation Move, or Microsoft’s new Kinect system.

The PlayStation Move makes use of a "wand" controller, which is similar to a Wii-mote, but with a ball on the end.  Also, instead of the Wii's sensor bar, the PlayStation Move makes extensive use of a camera system that not only detects the precise placement and orientation of the Move "wand," but also often places your image right in the game.

Sony has designed PlayStation Move to provide extremely accurate measures of movement and velocity. Additionally, the EyeToy camera has a microphone, so players can use their voices as well as their images for gameplay.

There are many different pricing options for the Move, but the easiest pricing option is the PlayStation Move Starter Bundle, which costs $99.  This bundle includes the PlayStation Eye and one Move controller, as well as the game Sports Champions, which retails as a standalone product for $39.99.  You could also buy the Eye camera separately for $30 and a PlayStation Move controller for $50 if you’re not interested in Sports Champions.  If you already have a few PS3 games, this might be a good option because many developers are releasing “updates” to provide support for the Move functionality now that it has been released.

The Move controller is charged the same way as PlayStation 3’s DualShock3/SIXAXIS controllers via a mini-usb port on the bottom of the controller. Therefore, there is no need to purchase any more cables as you can use the ones that come with your other controllers to charge the Move.  A wrist strap is also included and pre-attached to protect the user from throwing the Move controller while you are swinging it around.  The top of the Move controller has a mounted rubber ball with a LED light inside. This light changes colors from red, blue, yellow, pink and green.  Unfortunately, you don’t have a choice in which color your wand will turn outside of switching Move controllers with someone else while playing a multiplayer game.

The Move controller includes the Square, Triangle, X, and circle buttons and sitting in the middle is the new MOVE button, which will usually be used as an OK/Accept button. In addition, underneath the controller is the new T button, which is a trigger button. In addition, there is the PS button below the MOVE button, which allows you to bring up the PS3 Menu system, as well as turn the system or controller off. Turning off the system works the same way with the PlayStation Move as it does the regular PS3 DualShock3/SIXAXIS controllers. In our experience, it was nice and much quicker to navigate the XMB bar with the motion controller.

We found the PlayStation Move’s onscreen precision to be more accurate then the Wii.  The downside, however, is that you have to calibrate it every time you play a game, getting the camera in the optimal spot, and standing at the appropriate distance.

The MOVE bundle comes with a demo disc that will help you setup your MOVE so it will tell you where to place the camera for optimal performance.

What we like the most about PlayStation Move, and why we think it is worth buying if you're a family who enjoys playing video games, is the fact that by combining the "wand" controller with an Eyetoy camera, the PlayStation Move places you and your family directly into the game in a number of fun and entertaining ways.  At a pricepoint that's less expensive than Microsoft's Kinect, the PlayStation Move looks to be a must-purchase option that represents the next evolution in gaming.  At the very least, Sony has ensured that families will need to consider all their options this holiday season before deciding on which motion-control gaming system to focus on.

(Thanks to Matthew Prunty and the staff of GamingEvolution.info for their help in contributing information this Report Card.)

Here are some recommended PlayStation Move games for your family:
• Move Party — A collection of mini-games that features you and your family, using the EyeToy camera to place you in the action.
• Sports Champions — A collection of sports mini-games, including archery, gladiator dueling and table tennis.
• TV Superstars — Offers your family a chance to compete in a “game show” to become a TV superstar.
• The Shoot — Set on a movie set, The Shoot is really a series of different light-gun style games (if you are familiar with old Nintendo games, think Hogan’s Alley or Duck Hunt).
• EyePet – The game’s promise is that you get all the fun of owning a pet (and more) without the mess.  The game uses the EyeToy camera to put you on the screen interacting with your pet.