The best games of 2022

Computer games often only make it into the media with negative headlines. This not only stigmatises millions of gamers, but also children and young people in particular. After all, gaming is one of their favourite passions. After all, according to the latest JAMES study, 71 per cent of young people are involved in gaming. Many parents complain that there is a lot of rubbish on the market or that there are offers that are unsuitable for adolescents. Although this is true, it is not proportionally more true than for other types of media.

I have been organising the German Children's Software Award TOMMI for over 20 years to give parents guidance and to raise awareness of the topic. In 2022, 4170 girls and boys from Germany, Austria and Switzerland took part.

TOMMI is a participatory media project that takes children and young people between the ages of 8 and 16 seriously in their favourite leisure activity. At the same time, it sensitises them to possible risks. First, a renowned jury of experts nominates the games submitted, then it is the turn of a jury of children and young people in public libraries.

The Biblioplay association is playing a leading role in implementing the programme in Switzerland and is the local point of contact for the GGG Stadtbibliothek Basel, the Kornhausbibliotheken Bern and the Pestalozzi-Bibliothek Zürich. The association is supported by the Swiss library association Bibliosuisse.

According to the latest JAMES study, 71 per cent of young people are involved in gaming.

Gaming in public libraries is nothing unusual, as these ultra-modern educational centres are the most important providers of media skills today. They have the technical infrastructure, the rooms and the well-trained staff.

Libraries also stand for equal opportunities, as children and young people from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds who cannot afford the necessary equipment and games also take part in TOMMI. But there is more to it than that:

Media literacy: Before the tests, children are trained in the libraries on what in-app purchases, gambling elements and other challenges are all about.

Media criticism: Children and young people need to take a critical look at games and weigh up their advantages and disadvantages. It is a different matter whether they are playing for pure enjoyment or whether they are making a personal, critical judgement.

Participation: At TOMMI, children and young people have the last word. No adult has any influence on their decisions.

Writing and reading skills: Gaming motivates children and young people to write. They collect arguments for their assessments, formulate their decision and write it down.

The idea of democracy: The children's and youth jury knows that they will decide on the winners together with others. However, as with all democratic votes, the games that they themselves voted for may not win in the end.

The children's and youth jury is mercilessly honest. In the categories of apps, education, electronic toys, PC, console and youth games, it only honours games and learning opportunities that they really like.

Below are the first places with the statements of the children's jury.

These games made it to 1st place

Apps

Urban Riders
What the children's jury says: «Urban Riders» wins 1st place at the TOMMI because we want to ride to infinity as bike couriers and pick up or drop off parcels. We overcome obstacles, traffic jams and roadworks. If we have an accident, the round is over. We collect points or time and move on to the next level.

There are many surprises and dangers. Just like in real life, you have to be careful where you ride. «Urban Riders» awakens ambition. It's great fun jumping over water and collecting parcels. The music is powerful. Villa Hirschberg Online, iOS and Android, ages 8 and up, free (full version approx. 3 francs)

Education

Countercolour. Intervening for democracy
What the children's jury says: «Konterbunt. Intervene for Democracy» wins 1st place at the TOMMI because it is interesting, exciting and highly topical. It's about discrimination and hate speech and what you can do about it. When someone says something annoying to us, we choose a clever response that doesn't make them angry.

We have learnt really good arguments that are not provocative. These counter-answers also help us in private discussions. We are surprised that we learnt something about politics after playing the game. Lower Saxony State Centre for Political Education, iOS and Android, ages 10 and up, free.

Youth Award

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
What the youth jury says: «Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga» wins 1st place at the TOMMI because it is an exciting adventure for us to replay the Star Wars episodes. The Lego graphics are stunning. Although everything is made of Lego, it looks very real.

There are so many characters from films, series and comics - there's something for everyone. We have to jump, press switches and shoot down enemies to defeat the Empire. The combat system is simple to understand, yet complex. Long hours of fun! Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Playstation, Xbox, Switch, approx. 60 francs.

Console

Kirby and the forgotten land
What the children's jury says: «Kirby and the Forgotten Land» wins 1st place at the TOMMI because Kirby is so incredibly cute, the game feels like it has no end and because even as professionals we still have so much to do. The mood of the game is cheerful, bright, light-hearted and simply good.

It's great fun to explore the area in search of the bouncy creatures. Kirby runs, flies and sucks in his opponents. He can then use their superpowers and special abilities. Sucking up a car is really cool, because Kirby then becomes a car himself. Simply epic! Nintendo, Switch, from 8 years, approx. 60 francs.

PC

Zombie Rollerz: Pinball Heroes
What the children's jury says: «Zombie Rollerz: Pinball Heroes» wins 1st place at the TOMMI because we defeat whole hordes of zombies with a giant pinball machine. Above all, it works well in pairs. We have to aim very precisely at the undead with a stone ball, otherwise they will conquer our tower.

It is a very fast and, in a positive sense, exhausting and hectic game. We think it's super well designed and very varied. Despite the zombies, the whole game feels cheerful and not at all scary. We know it's not real. Daedalic Entertainment, Steam, ages 10 and up, approx. 15 francs.

Electronic toys

Exost Rhino Wave (Silverlit)

What the children's jury says: «Exost Rhino Wave» wins 1st place at the TOMMI because it is not only an incredibly great toy, but also because it looks so cool with its huge wheels and suspension. «Exost Rhino Wave» is a remote-controlled vehicle that drives around in all directions. It also has propellers at the back, can drive incredibly fast and can change speeds just as quickly. We also think it's very creative because we've come up with various obstacles that we have to react to quickly, around 70 francs.

Special price kindergarten & preschool

Info box on the 2022 TOMMI winners