JOY (STICKS) TO THE WORLD LOOKING FOR VIDEO GAMES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON? THESE TITLES REALLY SCORE.Byline: Staff and Wire Services Here are a few suggestions when shopping for the video gamer in the family. Just remember popular titles sell out fast. FOR KIDS ``Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door'' (Nintendo; $49.99, GC) In this two-dimensional role-playing game, our beloved Italian plumber returns to paper form and has the ability to shape-shift into various objects. This is a lighthearted, delightful game with an age-old premise: Save the princess. ``Sly 2: Band of Thieves'' (Sony; $39.99, PS2) Taking the role of a raccoon raccoon, nocturnal New World mammal of the genus Procyon. The common raccoon of North America, Procyon lotor, also called coon, is found from S Canada to South America, except in parts of the Rocky Mts. and in deserts. burglar, you must use your stealth moves and keen wits to recapture the Thievius Raccoonus, an heirloom that taught generations of your family how to be thieves. This caper caper, common name for members of the Capparidaceae, a family of tropical plants found chiefly in the Old World and closely related to the family Cruciferae (mustard family). will also have you at the controls of various vehicles and playing minigames. ``EyeToy: AntiGrav'' (Sony; $49.99, PS2) Using Sony's EyeToy USB USB in full Universal Serial Bus Type of serial bus that allows peripheral devices (disks, modems, printers, digitizers, data gloves, etc.) to be easily connected to a computer. camera, ``AntiGrav'' feels like a futuristic snowboarding game in which the character on the screen mimics the user's movements. Your player will soar through the air on a hover board, performing tricks along the way. Also available: ``SpongeBob SquarePants: The Movie'' (THQ THQ Toy Headquarters THQ Territorial Headquarters THQ Tehsil Headquarters (Pakistan) THQ The Holy Quran THQ Theater Headquarters ; $39.99, multiple platforms); ``Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix Dance Dance Revolution ULTRAMIX, or DDR Ultramix, is the sixth home version of Dance Dance Revolution to be released in the United States, and the first DDR game to be released on the Microsoft Xbox video game console. 2'' (Konami; $39.99, Xbox); ``My Little Pony Play Pack'' (Atari; $19.99). FOR TEENS ``Urbz: Sims in the City'' (Electronic Arts; $49.99, multiple platforms) Fans of the wildly popular ``The Sims'' games should enjoy this latest people-simulation offering. In this one, it's players who create playas, with an emphasis on city life and gaining a good rep. ``Ratchet ratchet Mechanical device that transmits intermittent motion or permits a shaft to rotate in one direction but not in the opposite one. Reversible ratchets are used on socket wrench handles and are convenient for tightening or loosening bolts in positions where a complete & Clank: Up Your Arsenal'' (Sony; $39.99, PS2) This third installment in the series allows online multiplayer modes as you romp through space with high-tech gadgets in an effort to bring peace to the galaxy. This is the kind of stuff buddy games are made of. ``Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords'' (LucasArts; $49.99, Xbox) Set approximately five years after the original, this sequel finds Sith assassins hot on the tail of what they believe to be the last Jedi and the one who controls the fate of the galaxy - you. ``Burnout Burnout Depletion of a tax shelter's benefits. In the context of mortgage backed securities it refers to the percentage of the pool that has prepaid their mortgage. 3'' (Electronic Arts; $44.99, multiple platforms) The racing game for the common gamer. As opposed to being forced to avoid the same air shared by your competition, players are encouraged to wipe out the other cars. It's got all the requisite physics and visuals you want in a high-end driving game, without the somewhat snobby snob n. 1. One who tends to patronize, rebuff, or ignore people regarded as social inferiors and imitate, admire, or seek association with people regarded as social superiors. 2. atmosphere. Also available: ``GoldenEye goldeneye or whistler Either of two species of small, yellow-eyed diving ducks that produce a whistling sound with their rapidly beating wings. The common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) breeds throughout the Northern Hemisphere; Barrow's goldeneye (B. : Rogue Agent'' (Electronic Arts; $49.99, multiple platforms); ``Metroid Prime 2: Echoes'' (Nintendo; $49.99, GC); ``WWE WWE World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (formerly World Wrestling Federation) WWE Witwe (German: Widow) WWE William Webb Ellis (inventor of rugby) WWE World Wide Education WWE Well Woman Exam SmackDown! vs. Raw'' (THQ; $49.99, PS2). FOR ADULTS ``Halo 2'' (Microsoft; $49.99, Xbox) It's up to you as super-cyborg Master Chief to stop the onslaught of Covenant aliens and save the Earth now that they're on your turf. Better all-around game play and the ability to compete online take this sequel to a new level above the original. The special edition ($54.99) includes a making-of disc. ``Half-Life 2'' (Vivendi Universal; $54.99, PC) Stunning graphics and lots of carnage dominate this first-person shooter in which you take the role of a scientist fighting otherworldly invaders and trying to survive on a post-apocalyptic Earth. ``Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas'' (Rockstar; $49.99, PS2) This ultraviolent series has made an art out of digitally re-creating carjackings and the criminal life. The latest installment takes place in three expansive, fictional cities in 1992. ``Metal Gear Solid  This article is about the original Metal Gear Solid released for the PlayStation. For the Game Boy Color spin-off of the same name, see . 3: Snake Eater'' (Konami; $49.99, PS2) This is one of the best games on the PS2 right now. They've really concentrated on the boss confrontations, and you'll almost be sad when the game actually ends. Visually, you'll see the PS2 do things you didn't think were possible. Great stuff. ``Ninja Gaiden'' (Tecmo; $49.99, Xbox) This game's been out since March, but there is no greater test for an action gamer's reflexes. Also available: ``Roller Coaster Tycoon 3'' (Atari; $39.99, PC); ``Dead or Alive Ultimate'' (Tecmo; $49.99, Xbox); ``Law & Order: Justice Is Served'' (Vivendi Universal; $29.99, PC). CAPTION(S): 4 photos Photo: (1 -- 4) no caption (Game covers) |
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