Game Roundup
Top: Star Fox Adventures (Nintendo); Bottom: GALIDOR (Electronic Arts)
#10
Title: SpongeBob SquarePants: Revenge of the Flying Dutchman
Rated: E for Everyone
Platforms: PlayStation2, Nintendo GameCube, Game Boy Advance
Publisher: THQ
Cruising through Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob accidently releases the Flying Dutchman, who isn't too happy that he's been locked up in a treasure chest. Now the Dutchman wants to make SpongeBob part of his ghostly crew! It's up to SpongeBob to find the lost treasures throughout seven different worlds seen in the hit cartoon series to stop the Dutchman's plans. You'll love seeing SpongeBob in his karate gear and treasure-hunting costumes, and Patrick Star, Sandy Cheeks, Squidward, Mr. Krabs, and Plankton are all part of the adventure.
#9
Title: GALIDOR™ Defenders of the Outer Dimension
Rated: E for Everyone—Mild Violence
Platform: Game Boy Advance
Publisher: Electronic Arts
You'll think you've become a part of the hit Fox Kids TV series as you're thrown into an Outer Dimension. As Nick Bluetooth, it's your job to find the portal to GALIDOR and free your friends from the tyrant Gorm by collecting fuel cells and "glinches" (you'll take on qualities of your enemies), including Super Jump and Ballistic Energizer. Purchased separately, the GALIDOR Kek Powerizer responds to in-game action, dropping you hints and unlocking hidden games. Look for the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube versions to come out next year.
#8
Title: Sly Cooper and the Thievius Racoonus
Rated: E for Everyone
Platform: PlayStation2
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Sly Cooper was born into a family of the world's greatest thieves. On his eighth birthday, Sly was given the "Thievius Raccoonus," a family heirloom that revealed the secret techniques of being a thief. Sometimes the thief gets thieved, and that's just what happens when a gang of villains takes the Raccoonus and splits it five ways. Ten years later, Sly sets out to steal it back by hooking up with his tech pal, Bentley, and getaway car driver, Murray. The game play is nothing new—you've got to collect coins and get through mazes before defeating a boss, but Sly has got some eye-popping graphics that make the most of PS2's capabilities. Shadows and lighting give the richly detailed toon environments a slick look. Plus, you'll go back for repeat plays with the option of vehicle races, mini games, and stealth challenges.
#7
Title: Animal Crossing
Rated: E for Everyone
Platform: Nintendo GameCube
Publisher: Nintendo
If you're looking for a Sims-style game but without a lot of the stress, this is for you. Set up a virtual community where you can spend time fishing, gardening, playing tricks on your neighbor, and checking out towns beyond your own creation (using a memory card and a buddy's Cube). The game quickly becomes habit forming as you talk to and complete tasks for other residents of your village. They'll carry on their lives even when the game isn't being played and their responses will change depending how often you play and what you do while you're playing. The coolest part of this game is linking Animal Crossing with your Game Boy (using the GameCube/Game Boy Advance cable) to download classic Nintendo games to your GBA. Go to Animal-Crossing.com to see villages created by other players.
#6
Title: Super Mario Sunshine
Rated: E for Everyone
Platform: Nintendo GameCube
Publisher: Nintendo
What Mario plans as a relaxing vacation on Isle Delfino turns out to be his biggest challenge yet. Someone has polluted the tropical paradise, leaving graffiti everywhere, and Mario is framed as the culprit! Mario must use a hi-tech water cannon called FLUDD (Flash Liquidizer Ultra Dousing Device) to clean up the island and stop the wicked one who's responsible for the mess. Fans will recognize the classic jumping exercises and Mario's trusty friend, Yoshi, but expect new challenges using the FLUDD to clean up sludge pools, attack enemies, and float above ground. You'll earn power-up nozzle attachments as you make progress. While the game is dazzling and addictive, be warned that it will take a quick thumb to battle giant Piranha Plants, cross dangerous platforms, and collect Shine Sprites to unlock new areas of Isle Delfino. Don't get stressed, you're gonna need a few months to conquer Sunshine.
#5
Title: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4
Rated: T for Teen
Platforms: PlayStation, PS2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube, Game Boy Advance, PC-CD
Publisher: Activision
The fourth game in the Pro Skater series is hip enough for new gamers, but there are plenty of retro thrills for those who appreciate classic titles. You'll grind your way through increasingly difficult courses (without a time clock) as you move from amateur level to Pro Challenges. You can interact with other skaters, compete with the pros to beat their best tricks, and get in some annoying frat boys' faces. Extra goodies include being able to create your own dreampark or choosing from one of 14 skaters.
#4
Title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Rated: E for Everyone
Platforms: PlayStationS2, PC-CD, Nintendo GameCube PlayStation, Xbox Game Boy Advance, and Game Boy Color.
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Year two at Hogwart's has Harry Potter up to all new adventures that improve upon the game play of last year's Sorcerer's Stone. On the PS2, Xbox, GameCube, and PC, you'll be able to talk to Moaning Myrtle, shop in Diagon Alley, de-gonme Mrs. Weasley's garden, and challenge classmates in Professor Lockhart's Dueling Club. In the PlayStation version, Harry is required to win the House Cup, while the Game Boy Color version allows for multiple player action. While all of these games are impressive, bonus points go to the PS2 version for allowing you to guide Harry around Hogwarts on his Nimbus 2000.
#3
Title: The Lord of The Rings The Two Towers
Rated: T for Teen—Blood and Violence
Platform: PlayStation 2
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Middle Earth comes to interactive life as you battle against the dark forces of Mordor in this game based on the forthcoming movie. Sharpen your fighting skills as either Aragorn the Ranger, Legolas the Elf, or Gimli the Dwarf, as you move through 13 levels, battling against 10,000 Uruk-Hai, armies of Orcs, and a gigantic Cave Troll in Balin's Tomb. What makes this game even cooler is the exclusive movie content featuring scenes from The Two Towers, interviews with stars, and music from The Fellowship of the Ring soundtrack. Even if you're not a fan of J.R.R. Tolkien's books or the blockbuster movies, this game will have you button-mashing for hours.
#2
Title: Ty the Tasmanian Tiger
Rated: E for Everyone
Platforms: PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, and Xbox
Publisher: Electronic Arts
G'day mate, you've been chosen to go on a very special mission to save the Tasmanian Tigers. As Ty, you'll run, jump, swim, and glide through the Australian Outback, collecting five magical talisman that will free your fellow Tasmanian Tigers from Dreamtime. Armed with eight different boomerangs, including the frostyrang, flamorang, and doomarang, not to mention your big 'ol chompers, you've got the tools to beat Boss Cass, a big, bad bird who needs an attitude adjustment. Sharpen your boomerang, mate, and get ready for an amazing Australian adventure. You'll want to play this game over and over, not only to view the amazing graphics, but to swim around coral reefs, surf down rivers, and get to know more than 50 characters based on real-life animals native to Australia.
#1
Title: Star Fox Adventures
Rated: T for Teen
Platform: Nintendo GameCube
Publisher: Nintendo
Out of all the games we've busted our thumbs playing, we just can't get enough of Fox McCloud! Nineteen ninety-seven's Star Fox 64 had Fox behind the controls of his Arwing fighter jet, but while there's plenty of Arwing action in the new game, Fox comes out of the cockpit to explore the forests, jungles, and icescapes of Dinosaur Planet. The graphics are top-notch, and you'll stare in amazement at Fox's realistic looking fur, the shimmering water, real-time day and night environments, and the rich detail of the dinosaur's faces (you'll be spending a lot of time talking to them). While the game is spiced up with flying challenges and racing competitions, most of the time Fox is busy solving puzzles and exploring richly detailed settings, such as Cape Claw and Snowhorn Wastes, in order to stop General Scales, a tyrannical dinosaur who has stolen the spellstones that keep the planet together. Though it's rated T, the violence is minimal, the battles aren't too difficult, and unlike most games that rely too much on blowing stuff up, Star Fox Adventures will only blow away boredom.
Paul Coco
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