A Few Rules to Help You Play Santa

The easiest way to avoid making a bad video-game choice this year is to do what we do: ask. Odds are, the video game players on your list know exactly which titles they want and can rank them quickly in order of desire.

If that seems crass, you can brave the aisles and try to figure it out for yourself. But understand the price of failure. Most stores are pretty persnickety about returns on video and computer games. If it’s open, forget it. And many won’t even accept sealed games with a receipt after 30 days.

Know this too: Most of the games on shelves are not that much fun.

You can take the easy way out and skip right to the listings below, where we’ve collected 30 no-brainer titles and organized them by platform. Don’t know what a platform is? Read on, because it’s the most important thing to know about the video-game player in your life.

Platforms are the machine formats on which games are played. Nintendo 64, PlayStation and PlayStation 2, Sega Dreamcast and the PC are all platforms. And games designed for one platform don’t work on others. So if you know nothing else about video games, at least know which platform your loved ones own.

The second most important thing to know is what genre the player is partial to. It’s not true that a video game is a video game is a video game. Genres include racers, real-time strategy and first-person shooters, and each genre has its own devotees. Buying a first-person shooter for a real-time strategy purist is like buying Operation for a Scrabble fan because, hey, they’re both games, right?

Finally, if a salesperson recommends a game, ask whether he or she has actually played it. If not, move on and find someone who has.

But, really, you can save yourself all of this trouble by just asking.

Nintendo 64

“Perfect Dark”

Genre: First-person shooter

Price: $55

ESRB rating: Mature

Nintendo historically has shied away from games designed specifically for older players. When the company does ante up, the results are generally excellent. “Perfect Dark” is Exhibit A. An enthralling shooter that follows the exploits of Joanna Dark, “Perfect Dark” puts new spins on an old genre.

“The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask”

Genre: Role-playing adventure

Price: $55

ESRB rating: Everyone

Although competing systems deliver better graphics and stronger storytelling, “The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask” proves that Nintendo 64 can still hold its own. The game follows Link, a hero who never seems to get old, as he tries to save the world of Termina from a moon that’s about to fall from the sky.

“The World Is Not Enough”

Genre: First-person shooter

Price: $45

ESRB rating: Teen

Slip into the role of Bond, James Bond, and act out many of the scenes from the film “The World Is Not Enough.” This virtual Bond comes equipped with as many gadgets and guns as the one in the movie. But he also can die, so players have to think as fast as they move to get very far.

“Hey You, Pikachu”

Genre: Pokemon

Price: $75

ESRB rating: Everyone

Baffling to most adults, “Hey You, Pikachu” allows kids to talk to the most famous Pokemon as it hangs out with its Poke-pals. Pikachu responds to a wide range of commands and follows orders fairly well. Older kids might get bored quickly with the range of activities, but younger kids will get a kick out of seeing Pikachu respond.

“Banjo-Tooie”

Genre: 3-D kiddie adventure

Price: $55

ESRB rating: Everyone

You’d have to have a heart of stone not to fall in love with Banjo, a big lug of a honey bear, and Kazooie, his cackling sidekick bird. This sequel to “Banjo-Kazooie” offers colorful worlds that kids can spend hours exploring as they hunt for pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. It’s good clean fun for all ages.

Nintendo Game Boy

“Tetris DX”

Genre: Puzzle

Price: $25

ESRB rating: Everyone

The oldest game in the Game Boy library is still the best. This classic puzzler was updated for Game Boy Color and offers a few extra game modes as well as the addition of Pez-colored blocks. Easy to learn and impossible to put down, “Tetris” is the single title every Game Boy owner must have.

“Warlocked”

Genre: Real-time strategy

Price: $25

ESRB rating: Everyone

Far from perfect, “Warlocked” is the only real-time strategy game for Game Boy, so it fills a long-empty niche. The action is sometimes simple, which makes it easy for younger players to learn the basic rules of strategy games. But even experienced players will appreciate some of the more advanced levels.

“Pokemon Gold” or “Pokemon Silver”

Genre: Pokemon

Price: $25

ESRB rating: Everyone

Don’t feel bad if you’re among the many who fail to appreciate the Pokemon mystique. Almost any kid with a Game Boy will love either of the two newest Pokemon cartridges--”Gold” or “Silver.” The Pokemon craze is bound to fade sooner or later, but it won’t be this Christmas, so most kids will still dig it.

“Space Invaders”

Genre: Space shooter

Price: $20

ESRB rating: Everyone

Maybe we’re showing our age, but few games can beat the original “Space Invaders” for pure mind-numbing entertainment. The updated version for Game Boy Color retains all of the original’s charm, but updates play and adds a few graphic flourishes. The result is a perfectly brainless time waster.

“Bionic Commando: Elite Forces”

Genre: Side-scrolling shooter

Price: $25

ESRB rating: Everyone

As any self-respecting fan of “The Six-Million Dollar Man” knows, bionics can be an effective way to fight crime and evil. That’s what the heroes of “Bionic Commando” do. They’re humans with mechanical attachments that allow them to leap tall buildings and deliver atomic-powered punches.

PC

“Baldur’s Gate II: Shadow of Amn”

Genre: Role-playing adventure

Price: $45

ESRB rating: Mature

Set in the worlds of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, “Baldur’s Gate II” transforms a computer’s CPU into a devious dungeon master who sends players on a quest that spans four CD-ROMs. This is not a slash-and-run kill-fest, but rather a blend of old-school text-based role-playing adventures and real-time fighting.

“Combat Flight Simulator 2: WWII Pacific Theater”

Genre: Flight simulator

Price: $40

ESRB rating: Everyone

Both a technical flight simulator and down-and-dirty shooter, “Combat Flight Simulator 2” offers wickedly realistic combat in World War II-era planes. Players have the choice of following the mechanics and physics of real flight or of just jumping behind the stick for arcade-style dogfighting.

“The Sims”

Genre: Human simulator

Price: $40

ESRB rating: Everyone

The guy who developed the “Sim City” series lets players play God again--this time lording over a single family. Equally creepy and engaging, “The Sims” follows day-to-day lives in a tiny suburban neighborhood. Players control the moods and feelings of their digital charges by controlling the surroundings.

“Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings”

Genre: Real-time strategy

Price: $40

ESRB rating: Teen

Middle management has its attractions. But they’re nothing compared with the totalitarian power players can unleash in “Age of Empires II,” a real-time strategy game that demands diplomacy, ruthlessness and a keen business sense. The game ought to be used as a training tool in MBA school.

“Deus Ex”

Genre: A blend of several

Price: $40

ESRB rating: Mature

A totally immersive game that defies categorization, “Deus Ex” is the sort of title that keeps players busy for weeks on end. It’s also the sort of game that can take over someone’s life. We’ve seen it. For players who have a firm grip on their own reality, “Deus Ex” offers some nice twists.

Sega Dreamcast

“NFL 2K1”

Genre: Sports

Price: $45

ESRB rating: Everyone

This is hands-down the best football title ever produced. Building on all the good things in “NFL 2K,” this update offers the ability to play online with many as seven other players. It’s this network play that takes an already great game and makes it unlike anything anyone has ever seen on a console.

“Quake III Arena”

Genre: First-person shooter

Price: $45

ESRB rating: Mature

A shooter that allows players to hunt down others in complex mazes, “Quake III Arena” is a port of the PC classic. Lightning fast and incredibly violent, it’s not for youngsters. The key feature that makes “Arena” a winner is the ability to engage in multiplayer online games through Dreamcast’s built-in modem.

“Resident Evil: Code Veronica”

Genre: Horror Adventure

Price: $45

ESRB rating: Mature

Creepy and spooky, “Resident Evil: Code Veronica” drops players into the middle of a zombie-infested nightmare. As much about solving puzzles as it is about shooting zombies, “Code Veronica” is part of a long line of top-quality horror games under the “Resident Evil” nameplate.

“Samba de Amigo”

Genre: Music mimicry

Price: $45, plus $70 for the controllers

ESRB rating: Everyone

Perhaps the best party video game ever, “Samba de Amigo” asks players to shake their booties to their music and shake their maracas in time to on-screen commands. The game uses special maracas controllers--and really is not much fun without them. But with them, ay caramba!

“Seaman”

Genre: Simulation

Price: $45

ESRB rating: Teen

“Seaman” may be the strangest video game ever made, but it’s strangely compelling. The game comes packed with a special microphone that allows players to talk to Seaman, an intelligent, smack-talking amphibian whom players must nurture. Think of this as “Tamagotchi” with an attitude.

Sony PlayStation

“Final Fantasy IX”

Genre: Role-playing adventure

Price: $35

ESRB rating: Teen

Sequels rarely live up to the original. An exception is the “Final Fantasy” series, which is now in its ninth installment. Sprawling over four discs, “Final Fantasy IX” leads players on a beautiful adventure. Fans of role-playing adventures feel obligated to play every “Final Fantasy” game. There’s a reason.

“Gran Turismo 2”

Genre: Auto racing

Price: $20

ESRB rating: Everyone

One of the finest racing franchises on any platform, “Gran Turismo 2” lets players scream around some dreamy tracks in search of glory and--more important--money. As players earn more winnings, they can buy and sell parts and cars to move on to ever more challenging heats. Reflex and strategy combine in “GT2.”

“MTV Music Generator”

Genre: Electronic music maker

Price: $25

ESRB rating: Everyone

The nice thing about “MTV Music Generator” is that you don’t have to know how to read music or play even a single note to create some top-drawer dance tracks. Players can combine 1,500 riffs and 3,000 instrument sounds into tracks that can be saved on a memory card. Players can also add video.

“Spider-Man”

Genre: Superhero adventure

Price: $35

ESRB rating: Everyone

A hero as venerable as Spider-Man deserves a game as wonderful as “Spider-Man.” Players assume the role of the original webhead and take off to fight crime. Spidey can nab bad guys in his web, swing across the cityscape and scramble all over the walls and ceilings of some nicely detailed environments.

“Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2”

Genre: Skateboarding

Price: $35

ESRB rating: Teen

Kids or adults wise enough not to attempt many of the tricks performed by skateboard legend Tony Hawk will appreciate the chance to try them virtually. “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2” lets players pull off all sorts of skating tricks in arenas that are big and beautiful. When that gets old, players can build their own skate parks.

Sony PlayStation 2

“Dead or Alive 2: Hardcore”

Genre: Martial arts fighting

Price: $45

ESRB rating: Teen

The quintessential video game, “Dead or Alive 2: Hardcore” celebrates both of the twin evils most parents complain about in games: relentless violence and women in hoochie-coochie outfits. But it’s all in good fun. “DOA 2” delivers rapid-fire action and fighting sequences that are second to none.

“Madden NFL 2001”

Genre: Sports

Price: $45

ESRB rating: Everyone

Although not as cool as “NFL 2K1” on Dreamcast, the first “Madden” title on PlayStation 2 is nonetheless a very solid game. The graphics are so realistic that a casual observer might mistake them for an actual NFL broadcast. And “Madden” doesn’t skimp on the field, where players can call and execute complex plays.

“Ridge Racer V”

Genre: Auto racing

Price: $45

ESRB rating: Everyone

A super-fast ride through some knock-out landscapes, “Ridge Racer V” showcases many of PlayStation 2’s strengths--and even a couple of weaknesses. The game speeds along and offers great control with PlayStation 2’s analog controller. Some of the cars are a little jaggy, but overall a sweet racer.

“SSX: Snowboard Supercross”

Genre: Snowboarding

Price: $45

ESRB rating: Everyone

Strap on a board and let loose on some of the most challenging virtual terrain ever kicked out of a game console. The courses in “SSX” twist like icy spaghetti and allow players to kick off some nice tricks. With multiple play options, the game offers plenty to keep players busy until first snow.

“Summoner”

Genre: Role-playing adventure

Price: $45

ESRB rating: Teen

An action-packed supernatural tale, “Summoner” lets players loose in a fantastic world full of evil and intrigue. PlayStation 2 demonstrates that it can handle more than just racers and fighting games as “Summoner” demands extended play and requires players to lose themselves in its worlds.

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Aaron Curtiss is editor of Tech Times.