Games your Dad will like

He's been playing those computer games since before you were even born, or you baffle him with your tales of gaming heroism. It's Father's Day on the 21st June in any case, so we've rounded up some of the best software that the old man refuses to buy for himself.

Just for fun we've invented a few categories of UK fathers that we think could be pretty accurate. Feel free to mix and match - i.e. Travelling Salesman Recently Divorced, or Losing His Marbles Rock Dad.

Got a pen? Here we go...

The Travelling Salesman
He's always on trains or in planes with hours to kill. We reckon Dad's made sure to acquire an iPhone for bragging rights in Starbucks, or at least a swanky mobile.

'The Sims 3' - mobile, iPhone / iPod touch
Only just released, this latest version lets you create real personalities and set Lifetime Wishes for your little computer people. Dad can practice a bit of DIY too by creating his own furniture and even shoes to share with fellow online Sim fans.

'Terminator Salvation' - mobile, iPhone / iPod touch
Your Dad will remember Terminator from his days of listening to Guns 'n' Roses. This surprisingly decent game lets you play as John Connor, tell him. Never mind that the new film is a bit rubbish, there are T600s and T800s just waiting to eat lead.

'Metal Gear Solid Touch' - iPhone / iPod touch
Only available for iPhone or iPod Touch, but this is a proper console game with cool touch-screen features that require more than just tapping to survive. It's a big game too with 20 puzzle-theme stages across five chapters.

Family Dad
If the wife and kids are happy, he's happy. He won't mind you splashing out a little bit if everyone can take part in the fun. Dad definitely bought you folks a Wii.

'It's My Birthday' - Nintendo Wii
From the team that created the best-selling Carnival Games for Wii. It's a party-in-a-box aimed at kids aged 5-11, using the Wii remote to play the likes of Musical Chairs, and Pin the Tail on the Donkey. It even plays Happy Birthday.

'Boom Blox Bash Party' - Nintendo Wii
A Steven Spielberg game, no less, and bearing the hallmarks of the Hollywood producer's playful genius. It's a simple premise - strategically collapsing piles of magical blocks - but the 400 stages feature mind-boggling puzzles too.

'Punch-Out!!' - Nintendo Wii
Let's see how strong Dad is, eh? Let's see if he can figure out how to daze the huge King Hippo or the fleet footed Disco Kid. Alternatively challenge him to a tussle, swinging punches side by side on the sofa. Brilliant fun!

Rock Dad
Occasionally Dad reminisces on his first gig, then the loudest, and one where he got thrown out for crowd surfing. This is Dad clinging to the last vestiges of his youth.

'Guitar Hero: Metallica' - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Wii
You'll probably end up on drumming duty because no way is Dad going to survive Lars Ulrich's greatest licks... unless he's a triathlete. Best to let him chug away at James Hetfield's riffs. Kirk Hammet could be possible while drunk.

'AC/DC Rock Band' - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Wii
He probably attended this famous Donnington concert, or knows somebody who was there. But even if your old Dad was more into thrashier stuff in the late 1980s, by now he'll have accepted AD/DC as his new saviours of rock and roll.

'Guitar Hero: On Tour' - Nintendo DS
This is probably taking things too far, but hopefully Dad has a sense of humour - and will secretly love this! "On Tour" transforms his Brain Training console into a portable riffing machine, strumming along to KISS, ZZ Top, Nirvana, Ozzy and plenty more.

Losing his Marbles
With folks at home to do the thinking for him Dad doesn't need a brain anymore. He has a healthy new brain called his stomach. Father's Day is your chance to fix this!

'Brain Exercises with Dr. Kawashima' - Windows PC
You think this is going to be boring, until you discover that one of your brain training assistants is a panda in a lab coat. Your Dad's first words might be "Haw, haw, very funny. Take it back", but you'll find him plugging away at this long after dinner.

'Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training: How Old Is Your Brain' - Nintendo DS
If you still haven't bought your parents a DS with Brain Training, use Father's Day as an excuse. It's a pricey gift - a DS and game combo - but if your budget will stretch to it and Dad has been especially jolly this year, it's still a winner.

'100 Classic Book Collection' - Nintendo DS
Admittedly your Dad could read 100 regular books, but it would work out more expensive, take up too much room (driving Mum crazy) and anyway when was the last time you remember Dad reading a book? Reading is easier on DS, apparently.

Recently Divorced Dad
If your Dad is going to be fit for the social world of 2009 he needs to shed that beer belly and lose the moobs. Tell him the game you bought is the latest craze.

'EA Sports Active: Personal Trainer' - Nintendo Wii
Forget Wii Fit, this ‘game' is all about breaking into a sweat and sticking to a proper exercise routine. It's so potent that the mere act of owning EA Active makes you feel much fitter, even though that probably can't be proven scientifically.

'My Fitness Coach' - Nintendo Wii
Dad might not enjoy getting kitted out in embarrassing gear for the sake of a bit of exercise, so My Fitness Coach could be more suitable for him. It asks for all kinds of measurements before you get started though - tell him ‘no cheating'!

'Walk With Me! Do You Know Your Walking Routine?' - Nintendo DS
Mum already told him to take a hike, so this will allow him to monitor the results in fascinating detail. Walk With Me is one of the pricier DS titles because it comes with two pedometers, but this means you can be a good sport and take a hike alongside.

That wraps things up for this Father's Day on Yahoo! UK Games. If you have some helpful suggestions of your own feel free to share in the comments below. Hope it's a good one. Don't let him near the washing up (wrinkly fingers = bad for gaming).