There's a Nintendo Wii in The White House, and while this indeed is a great day for the gaming industry, without proper guidance, President Barack Obama could easily find himself under a pile of shovelware.
We at Kotaku cannot let the leader of the free world be caught on television playing the likes of Ninjabread Man or Pet Pals Animal Doctor, so we've compiled a list of games that are not only going to keep the President entertained, but could also help bolster his image in the eyes of the citizens of this great nation that really matter: The gamers.
Puzzles and Brain-Training
Nintendo had the right idea when they gifted President George W. Bush with a Nintendo DS and a copy of Brain Age. The key here is to actually use it. What better way to come as an intellectual, problem solving sort of world leader than to spend your free time exercising your thinking abilities.
Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? - This childish take on the quiz show provides two opportunities for the President to excel. If he wins, he's got a good head on his shoulders. If he loses, he's a bit easier for us to relate to.
My Word Coach - Every President should have their own personal Word Coach. Everyone is watching, and one slip of the tongue and you've got a quote you'll never live down.
Rubik's World - In the world of international politics, one needs a sharp mind that can take all of the twists and turns and change them into something a bit more familiar. That's what Rubik's World is all about.
Health and Fitness
The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports was formed in 1956, with a goal to "promote, encourage and motivate Americans of all ages to become physically active and participate in sports". With a growing number of Americans turning to video games for their entertainment, President Obama is in an excellent position to encourage gamers to use their Nintendo Wii and DS to stay physically fit.
Wii Fit - Even if the President doesn't like the games included with Nintendo's take on the fitness genre, it comes packed with the Wii balance board, which is nearly a requirement for any health-conscious world leader.
Wii Sports - The original sports game for the Nintendo Wii, packaged inside the console conveniently so the President didn't even have to buy an additional game to enjoy a little bowling.
EA Sports Active - Due out in May, just in time for all of this inauguration excitement to die down, EA Sports Active is a complete workout trainer, with a packed-in resistance band that's bound to enhance any gaming photo ops that might arise.
Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2009 - The President can bring celebrity trainer Jillian Michaels into his home without the need for all of those intensive security checks with this balance board-centric workout program.
Staying Hip
Sure, mental and physical fitness are important, but the President doesn't just want to lump himself in with the rest of the casual gaming public. Here are a few titles that would earn him just a bit more gamer cred without hurting his repuation as the leader of the free world. Don't be afraid to let them know you've got games.
Rock Band 2 - The President has a family of four, giving him built-in bandmates for Harmonix's rhythm-action game, and the wide variety of available music means there's bound to be songs that even a commander-in-chief could love.
Boom Blox - Innocent fun for the whole family and an excellent way to work off a little stress after a long day of running one of the most prominent countries in the world.
Civilization Revolution - President Obama's run might not last eons, but it never hurts to get a little practice in. Once you manage an entire civilization for several centuries, running a country for four to eight years is a piece of cake.
The Secretary of Interactive Entertainment
My final suggestion? While the President picked a fine, family-friendly system to be the nation's first console, it is a system with a great deal of games that just aren't worth playing. The President should immediately appoint a Secretary of Interactive Entertainment in order to help him determine which games are good enough to grace White House television sets.
After all, we can't all sit around reading gaming blogs all day.