With the realities of economic recession permeating the home and touching every family member, the search for finance-friendly fun and bonding has parents brainstorming. Whether the desire is to bridge widening generation gaps or tighten the entertainment budget, more families are not only playing, but buying video games together—and benefiting specifically from those that challenge their minds.

That video play is the pastime of choice among adolescents is a no-brainer. Less commonly known is that despite original parental concerns about the possible harm these games do, recent studies show that playing certain video games might actually benefit children—and that frequently, parents are actually joining them.

Last summer, Sony Online Entertainment commissioned a survey of parents with children ages 2 to 17 who play video games. The results indicate that parents saw improvements in hand-eye coordination, problem-solving, typing skills and even the ability to think strategically. And they're playing in the company of others (a concern for years since it was believed that die-hard players become reclusive and socially challenged).

The Sony study found that 87 percent of the parents surveyed are playing video games with their children. “;The good news is that parents are involved with and aware of what their kids are playing,”; said John Smedley, Sony Entertainment president and father of four. “;The even better news is that parents and kids are playing together.”;

Another study, led by University of Texas-Austin psychologist Elizabeth A. Vandewater, supports that finding, based on surveys of 1,491 kids: Adolescents spent as much time with family and friends whether they played video games or not. And, significantly, gamers played often with friends and considered it bonding.

“;Family video game nights are becoming incredibly popular with the variety of games out there,”; echoes Linda Fears, editor-in-chief, Family Circle magazine, which published the Sony survey. “;Parents and children of all ages are finding games to play together, no matter what each person's experience level.”;

That family togetherness is often paired with the physical and mental challenges posed by games such as “;Wii Fit”; and “;Family Party: 30 Great Games,”; with mentally challenging obstacle courses, spinning plates and wit-testing memory games. In the DS format, “;Brain Age,”; “;Brain Age 2”; and the series “;My Fun Fact Coach,”; “;My Spanish Coach”; and “;My SAT Coach”; are also popular.

The whole family bonding while boosting brainpower, burning collective mental fitness calories and saving a bunch of money on expensive entertainment outings sounds like a good way to begin the new year. Could be time to pile the ohana into the hybrid for a brain-game run.