Santa's coming and chances are good that little (or big) Timmy and Jen hope their stocking will pack some gaming punch.
With dozens of titles released in the last few months — not to mention the hundreds you haven't gotten to yet — it's not easy to narrow the field to a few choices. Even so, we've put on our pointy shoes and elves' caps to tackle the job, trying some and culling suggestions from all over the place to put together a list of video game suggestions to make shopping just a little easier.
A quick look at the store shelves shows it doesn't matter what your gamer is into, from racing games to dark adventures. There's something for everyone.
It's a big season for games based on children's movies and TV shows, especially for Nintendo Game Boy Advance. "Elf," "Spider-Man," "Winnie the Pooh," "Dora the Explorer," "Clifford," "Barbie," "SpongeBob SquarePants," "Lizzie McGuire" and "Raven" are just a few that have made the move to video gaming pleasure. And for the older movie lover, there's always "The Lord of the Rings."
Pick a sport and there's a video game or five that combines real sports hero characters with fantasy.
And for a little exercise with your game, don't forget that EyeToy has a whole line of video games where you (your head, your hands, etc.) are the controllers.
The only limitation is personal taste and how deep your pockets are. Most of the games are between $30 and $50 each, though there are some less spendy, genuine bargains out there.
And be prepared, because all of the platforms have big titles coming out right after the new year.
Here are some holiday offerings that we like:
Rated E for Everyone
"Polar Express" (GameCube, Game Boy Advance, PC), $29.99, $29.99, $19.99, respectively
Just one of a number of video games based on popular movies and books, "Polar Express" takes players on a crazy train ride to meet Santa at the North Pole. Solve puzzles, zip through ice tubes and search for lost gifts.
"The Incredibles" (GameCube, Game Boy Advance, PS2), $39.99, $29.99, $39.99, respectively
Combines graphics, humor and superhero adventures, playing as the film's characters in locales as diverse as jungles and gigantic cities. There are 18 levels, including bonuses and hidden features.
"Gran Turismo 4" (PS2), $49.99
The latest in the popular "Gran Turismo" racing series, "Gran Turismo 4" features dozens of cars to race in and race courses to cruise on. Each car handles differently and can be customized. The only problem with this game is that it is slated to be released after Christmas in the first part of 2005.
"Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door" (GameCube), $49.99
Peach has been kidnapped and Mario must venture behind the Thousand-Year Door into a fabled city that once was. Action includes battles where the audience decides whether you power up or get hurt. You can transform into oddities like a paper airplane or bounce to safety as a tube. You also have some new buddies, who each do something special. Not to mention all those mini games!
"AntiGrav" (PS2 EyeToy), $29.99
Hoverboard through strange and colorful worlds and get your exercise, too. Position yourself in front of the USB camera and flap your hands and move your head to activate buttons, steer and more. Once you get your body working in sync, you can ride the rail and hit targets. You can also do cool tricks like back flips (and, no, you don't have to perfect your own back flip). It's a riot.
"Backyard Basketball" (Game Boy Advance), $29.95
Features San Antonio Spurs star Tim Duncan, lets kids play with kid-sized versions of pro players. Three-on-three action, a trio of modes (quick game, single or season play), different courts and lots of power-ups. Play your friends with a Game Link cable.
There are other favorite players as well, from Miami Heat's Shaquille O'Neal to Vince Carter of the Toronto Raptors, along with all 30 NBA teams.
"Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005" (GameCube), $49.95
Golf against the legends and even alter well-established courses. You can choose a player age 8 to 80 and compete with luminaries like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. But you have to beat Tiger Woods to attain legendary status. There are eight new licensed courses, 15 PGA Tour players and 14 fantasy players, along with a great soundtrack.
"ESPN NHL 2k5" (Xbox), $19.99
If you're looking to get the most "bang" out of your buck in a sports game, "ESPN NHL 2k5" deserves a look. With smooth controls and a selection of "dirty moves" to use, this game brings the ice rink into your home. Of course, what hockey game wouldn't come with an opportunity to throw off the gloves and slug it out? A special fight segment lets you trade blows and dodge them. Packed with features that lets you tailor game play to your tastes.
"Katamari Damacy" (PS2), $18.95
This is bound to be one of the strangest yet entertaining games you'll ever play. Where this game lacks in fancy graphics, "Katamari Damacy" makes up with a unique game concept. You play a little green alien — OK, stay with me here — who must collect as many items from his visit to Earth as possible. You start with small items that stick to your ball of junk and soon work your way up to collecting trees, lamps, cows and even buildings. The game's strange concept is harmless enough, however, to make it fun for players of all ages.
Rated T: for teen gamers 13 and older
"Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix 2" (Xbox), $49.99
Pop in the disk, jump on the pad and get ready to groove to the beat with the latest version of the game that made jumping around in public arcades popular. This version includes competition modes for up to four players, as well as online competition via an Xbox Live account. The game includes a new lineup of 65 songs in Dolby Digital, with the use of a headset optional to talk to your competitors. Although most of the game is fit for kids and adults alike, some aspects of animated blood and violence are present during combat mode.
The game also comes with a workout mode and lets you create your own dance patterns. Separate game pad controller required.
"Jak 3" (PS2), $39.99
If you've hung with Jak and his buddy Daxter through the first two adventures, you're probably curious about the Precursors. The mystery is solved in this conclusion to the "epic" adventure. When things go sour back home, Jak's blamed and exiled to the dark Wasteland. Now they must not only battle the terrain and strange creatures, but must fight to save Jak's world. And along the way, some of the mystery from past games is resolved.
The setting is eerie, the action sometimes intense in this enjoyable game, where "dark Jak" finally has a lighter side, too. Be warned, there's light crude humor and some cartoon violence to go with action, which ranges from puzzles and strategy to not-so-simple shoot-'em-up.
"Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal" (PS2), $39.99
The rascally critter and his robotic buddy are back, and to some degree they're up to the same old tricks. But there's a reason the formula works: It's fun. In this adventure, you'll have the chance to collect a different set of weapons, meet some colorful and nasty creatures, use odd transportation (ever tried to jump on a horsey-looking creature in the middle of the lagoon, while you're moving?) and perfect your slingshot skills. The reward is gold bolts, the currency of the day, with which to buy more cool weapons. And if you're lucky, you'll find the platinum bolts, which are, well, priceless.
"X-Men Legends" (GameCube, PS2, Xbox), $49.99
From Wolverine to Cyclops, all the favorite heroes from the popular comic book series go into action in this top-down role-playing game. Play as a team of four X-Men of your choice as the story takes you through levels to battle bad guys and eventually save the world. The game's graphics are tailored to give characters a comic book look. Each character has unique powers and abilities which can be combined with their teammates'.
"The Urbz" (GameCube, PS2, Xbox), $49.99
From the creators of the smash hit "The Sims," "The Urbz" introduces you to big-city life in a way you've never seen before. In a world where image is everything, climbing the social ladder can be an uphill battle in this game. Rather than focusing on building a home and a family, "The Urbz" puts the spotlight on having the right look and getting into the right clubs. A variety of cliques exist in the city, along with wild jobs, from stripping motor bikes in a chop shop to taming mink and putting them into boxes.
"The Sims 2" (PC), $49.99
They're baaaaack! Those lovable, nonsense-talking Sims are back in a sequel that has them bigger and better than ever. One of the most successful PC games ever delves deeper into the psyche of the Sim. New systems dealing with memories, death, marriage, hopes and fears give a new dimension to your Sim. Having children means passing down your Sim's genetic traits. You're even given the option of marrying an alien and seeing what happens. Tons of other wacky fun awaits.
"Everquest II" (PC), $49.99
This new massively multiplayer game promises to take one huge step forward from its predecessor. Welcome to a fantastic world of magic and mystery in which you will meet thousands of other players from all over the world. Conversations can be translated real-time in English, French, German, Japanese and Korean. New characters, quests and weapons are included in this game that sports a new state-of-the-art 3-D engine that is expected to give this fantasy world more reality. Monthly online subscription required.
Rated M, for mature gamers 17 and older
"Halo 2" (Xbox), $49.99
The much-anticipated sequel to the online sci-fi shooting extravaganza is here. Retake the role of Master Chief as he leads the human race in the battle against the alien Covenant forces. Out for only a few weeks, "Halo2" has gained high marks from gamers as one of, if not, the best shooters available. Online matches open up a whole new dimension for the game. Xbox Live subscription required for online gaming.
"Fable" (Xbox), $49.99
Take the role of a young boy, whose choices will shape the man he becomes. Deeds of good, or evil, will shape your appearance in this fantasy role-playing game and how people react to you. Become a hero or the greatest villain. Get married and seek adventure and fortune in a beautifully created world.
"Prince of Persia 2: Warrior Within" (PS2, Xbox), $49.99
The sequel to the critically-acclaimed "Prince of Persia: Sands of Time," this game returns the young, nimble prince to action, but much has changed since his last adventure. While "Sands of Time" was rated T for teen players, "Warrior Within" takes a darker turn with more violent moves and a prince who has been worn down from his battles. Face gangs of sinister monsters and once again the prince will have the ability to warp time in different ways.
"Half-Life 2" (PC), $54.99
Retake the role of physicist turned bad-boy hero, Gordon Freeman. After saving humanity's hide from its own stupidity in the last game fighting back a horde of inter-dimensional monsters, Freeman finds himself in a world much different from when he last saw it. You must now battle a puppet government established by an unknown, sinister group to enslave humanity. Game graphics have been greatly improved and the details of characters are amazing: down to freckles and wrinkles in the skin. Plenty of firepower is provided to battle the bad guys.
"Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater" (PS2), $49.99
Video game survival at its finest. This prequel to the "Metal Gear Solid" series puts Snake in the wilderness, forced to survive with limited weapons and supplies. Gamers should get used to eating snakes, frogs and other critters to survive as Snake tries to infiltrate an enemy military base. The use of stealth and camouflage will be key to your survival. A story line packed with intrigue and mystery is bound to keep the gamer wondering what happens next.
Not yet rated
"Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords" (Xbox), release Dec. 6, $49.99
A sequel to the popular first game, "KOTORII: The Sith Lords" places you back in the role as a Jedi Knight in a role-playing game set in the George Lucas' Star Wars universe.
Much like the original game, your character will change according to the skills and moral choices you make, turning you into a virtuous Jedi or leading you to the dark side. Light saber action and Jedi tricks are expected to make a return.
Think outside the (game system) box
If you're looking for something new, you might want to check out these hardware features:
Nintendo's "Bongo" leaves behind the usual controller, so now you can play bongos to control "Donkey Konga" on GameCube. It combines the new DK Bongos with popular music for a crazy, festive feeling. Players compete by thumping their bongos to the beat of songs like "Whip It." The better you beat, the higher your score. Be warned, though, that laughing can throw you off track.
"Bongo" comes bundled with "Donkey Konga" for $49.95. Additional bongos are sold for $29.99. The game will also play on the standard controller. Up to four can play.
JAKKS Pacific is among companies that have come up with something new that's really something old. "Plug (it in) & Play" ($19.99) brings back arcade classics like "Ms. Pac Man," "World Poker Tour" and more. And like the name says, you just plug the unit into your television jacks and you're ready to go — once you've added batteries, of course. It's simply to use, just a joy stick and a couple of buttons. Extremely portable (think backpack or purse), it's ideal for those days when you're taking the kids along to see Aunt Helen and don't want to haul your gaming system along, since it's a stand-alone unit that promises hours of entertainment.
You can play them alone or with friends. They're not just a blast from the past, but a genuine blast.
Nintendo DS has gotten a lot of press recently. It has two screens (one controlled by touch), wireless communication and voice recognition. Whether it will be worth the $149.99, though, depends on how well you adapt to the odd size, the smallish screens and the stubby stylus, not to mention the games that continue to come out. Right now, there are a number either out or in the works, including "Ping Pals," "Spider-Man 2," "The Urbz: Sims in the City," "Super Mario 64" and "Madden NFL 2005."
E-mail: lois@desnews.com; gfattah@desnews.com