I don't necessarily mean games of licensed products, though neither am I ruling them out. Basically I am just wondering what everyone's thoughts are for games to teach three year olds how games work.

Right now my son has had the most luck with PacMan (on the VC), Mario Kart, and some WiiFit games. In those games he seems to have mostly figured out the controls, but the objectives still elude him.

(I don't see anything wrong with him being a goof in these games, and I am certainly not trying to pressure him to do otherwise; I am just looking for some insight into game that have objectives a three year old can understand)

Super Mario Bros. (1985)

When I was 2, I liked Super C, but that was just me. I could've sworn it was Sylvester Stallone & Arnold Swerchezneggar in there...

I was playing mortal kombat and mario when i was 3 years old

Though i started with sonic at age 2

Locoroco on psp. One of the most simplistic games ever. And it's amazingly fun.

My nephews were 3 and 4 when I got the Wii, and the game they seemed to understand the most and be able to play the best was Wii Sports Boxing ... As they get a little older (roughly 5 years old) they will be able to handle games that have simple objectives, like most 2D arcade games.

Get the kid a V-Tech VSmile. Learning and 16 bit graphics. My baby loved it!

Surely any game on the wii would be okay for a minor

@colonelstubbs: Manhunt 2 is appropriate I think. If that's too bad, RE4 or something would be a good choice, huh? ;)

On-topic, maybe something like Boom Blox, or that little bubble-game on WiiWare.
I quess some of the more simplistic waggle-games could be fun for him too. Mario Party 8, Mario & Sonic, etc. Maybe even WarioWare.

Need somethign with easy objectives. Try a racer. I'm sure he could get the hang of those pretty quick. If not then a party game or whatnot. I'd suggest a shooter but its hard to find a shooter that has appropriate materials for kids.

None! if he gets into gaming at this young age he will be playing Gears of War when he is 4! Go outside with him!! play with a ball! Don't let him be a fat nerdy kid like all of us!!!!!! Save him!!!