Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat gives players a chance for players to be the mischievous Cat and interact with classic Seuss characters as well as original creatures. By Magenta Software & Digital Eclipse Software for Vivendi Universal Games.
PlayStation2 and Xbox $49.99, PC and Gameboy Advance $29.99.
Family fun for all, in
SpongeBob Square Pants: Battle for Bikini Bottom you save the town of Bikini Bottom from robots that have run amok after being created by the evil Plankton. By THQ.
PlayStation2, Xbox and Game Cube $39.99, PC $19.99, Gameboy Advance $29.99.
Jak II is an action packed sequel where gamers are swept through an energy portal into a strange city under attack by the evil Baron Praxix and his menacing Metal Heads. By Naughty Dog, Inc. for PlayStation2, $39.99.
In The Simpsons: Hit Run, “X-Files” meets Springfield. Homer’s hometown is falling under some sinister mind control, mechanical bees and the sudden appearance of mysterious black cars and vans. Gamers get to set things right. Keep your eyes pealed for the gags sprinkled throughout the game. By Radical Entertainment for Vivendi Universal Games. PlayStation 2, Xbox and Game Cube, $49.95. PC $29.99.
Hoyle’s Majestic Chess offers levels from beginner to grand master with step by step tutorials and innovative in-game strategies. You can also play and chat with opponents online.
By Sierra for Vivendi Universal Games for PC, $29.95
Mount your broomstick for Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup -Return to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizadry. Lead your favorite Hogwart house to victory in the Hogwarts Quidditch Cup. Then take control of an international team. EA Games for PlayStation2 and Game Cube, $39.95. Xbox $49.95. Gameboy Advance and PC $29.95.
Whiplash is an animal adventure starring Spanx and Redmond, two shackled fugitives from an evil animal research facility run by a greedy corporation. Employs a unique chain gameplay where a player’s choices result could result in either combat or slapstick humor. By Crystal Dynamics for Eidos. PlayStation2 and Xbox, $39.99
In Backyard Wrestling: Don’t Try This At Home you can create a wrestler superstar in your own image, and employ all the famous wrestling maneuvers. By Paradox for Eidos. PlayStation 2 and Xbox, $49.95
Enter the ill-fated town of Ashcroft that has become victim to a supernatural evil in the gothic fantasy world of Hunter: The Reckoning Wayward. By White Wolf for Vivendi Universal Games. PlayStation 2 and Xbox, $49.99
In Desert Storm II – Back to Baghdad gamers may get a sense of the intense squad-based action they take command of U.S. Delta Forces or British SAS over the sands of Iraq. By Take-Two Interactive Software for Gotham Games. PlayStation 2and Xbox, $49.99. PC, $39.99
The Sims Makin’ Magic is a supernatural expansion pack to the top selling PC game. Players cast spells to improve their love lives or turn neighbors into frogs. By Maxis for EA Games. PC, $29.95.
Inspired Ideas
The Pyramat PM300 Interactive Gaming Mat turns a videogame into a fully immersive experience – one that is felt in the seat of the pants. It’s a thickly padded folding mat with an integrated backrest that is filled with three speakers and can be connected to a videogame console, a DVD, TV, CD player or electric guitar. The sound system provides a surround-sound effect makes the PM300 a true “rumble seat.” $149.99 from http://www.JandR.com, the JC Penney catalog, http://www.amazon.com and http://www.pyramat.com
The Time-Scout Monitor is an answer to the whining that occurs when you pull the plug on your offspring’s gaming. Plug the Time-Scout Power Box into the gaming device and lock it into place. Assign each child their own unique account card, like a credit card, that they use to swipe into the machine. You give them each a time allowance on the card, which you can add or subtract from. Add time if they sweep the leaves, take it off if they get bad grades! $89.95 from http://www.timescout.com