Move Over Kids, Parents Can Have Computer Fun, Too!

Home computers are becoming as common as the television and radio. It seems that most houses today contain at least one computer and internet access from homes is at an all time high. Computers are great tools for finance, business and storage, but they can also be a source of entertainment for young and old alike.

There are several websites that might seem to be geared toward the younger crowd, but can be enjoyed just as well by the post-Pokemon population.

Neopets.com is the first example of such a website. Yes, it has adorable graphics and cute names for the creatures at large. And, yes, it was also the source of a Happy Meal prize. But the site has more meat in between the endearing characters. Many typical adult games are there on the site, but they have revamped names. Classics such as Mahjong and Tetris are on site, only with various titles and graphics. Games come in many different categories from cards to slots, sports and stragety, to word and puzzles. There truly is something for everything.

Neopets also offers the benefit of a point system where you can track your progress and build your "wealth" on the website. You earn Neopoints which can be spent on various virtual prizes or just left in the bank where they will gather interest.

Another appealing factor for Neopets is that it is free to join. Also, there are adult guilds out there in the world of Neopia for the more serious gamer.

Microsoft's search engine, Live Search, has launched a game site as well. Club.live.com has games that appear to be childlike through graphics such as the cute and corny Chicktionary, but the prizes and challenges that the games present display the definite adult appeal and target audience. Gamers play various puzzle games to earn tickets which can then be exchanged for real world gifts that range from Crabtree and Evelyn assortments, Xbox games and Microsoft electronics.