Tic-Tac-Toe
Tic-tac-toe is a simple game (usually played with pencil and paper) that can be enjoyed by kids as young as three. What I find most fascinating about these online tic-tac-toe games, is their variety. The many creative twists that can be put on such a simple game are amazing.
This Shockwave game is my pick of the day. Three-dimensional tic-tac-toe can be hard to visualize, but these terrific graphics make it easy. Instead of Xs and Os, you play with vibrating green and orange balls (you have to see it to appreciate it). Choose the one-player game to play against the computer, or the two-player option to play against a family member. The Game button toggles between game modes. In game mode one, the first player to get three-in-a-row wins. In game mode two, the game is played until all the squares are filled. The player with the most three-in-a-rows wins. When you tire of losing to your computer opponent, there are other online games: sliding tile puzzles for the younger set, and Tri-State Hexout for die-hard puzzle players.
This simple tic-tac-toe offers no elaborate choices, but can be enjoyed by all ages and all browsers (no extra plug-ins needed). Other games, only a click away, include hangman, sliding tile puzzles, Connect 4 (a favorite at our house), Othello and Ataxx.
This game is unique because it lets you customize the dimensions of your board. You can choose from the traditional three-by-three, or any size up to seven-by-seven. Of course, increasing the size of the board, increases the difficulty of the game. Other choices include who goes first, and whether you want to be X or O. And for those interested in programming, the author provides a behind-the-scenes look at the game's decision-making logic.
You know the story: groundhog Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on Groundhog Day, so we got six more weeks of winter. Didn't want six more weeks of winter? Here's your chance to get even. "Match wits with the evil groundhog. The Inner Circle and two good groundhogs are here to help you. The evil groundhog wants a longer winter and must be stopped." Created by the Groundhog Club of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, this Shockwave tic-tac-toe game is played with groundhogs and photos of members of the Inner Circle. Who is the Inner Circle? Find answers to all your Groundhog Day questions at http://www.groundhog.org.
Kids will enjoy playing tic-tac-toe with Mario, but parents will want to turn the volume down after a round or two of listening to Mario's sing-songy voice: "It'sa your turn" followed always by "It'sa my turn now."
The following links are either new discoveries or sites that didn't make it into my newspaper column because of space contraints. Enjoy!
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