Console Video Games

By Amy Phillips and Becky Spilver -- School Library Journal, 6/1/2006

A core collection for young adults

Console video games—games played on gaming systems such as Playstation and GameCube—are huge. They are a primary form of entertainment for everyone under the age of 30, especially school-age children. According to CNN, the sales of console video game software and hardware topped $10.5 billion in 2005. Still not convinced? Economist magazine cited video games as the biggest popular cultural revolution since the advent of rock and roll music.

The video gaming industry has grown from simple software used on the rudimentary Nintendo Game console back in the mid-1980s to three major manufacturers: Microsoft’s Xbox/Xbox 360, Sony’s Playstation 2, and Nintendo’s GameCube. Each system has an unlimited variety of games to meet the interests of all players.

Libraries are trying to become more relevant to young adults, and console video games can play a large role in attracting this segment of the population. A February 2005 article in Voya, “Video Games as a Service: Hosting Tournaments at Your Library,” explored how to incorporate video games into library programming. LibGaming, a Google group, holds discussions about the different issues surrounding video games in libraries. At the Public Library Association’s national conference in Boston this Spring, hundreds of librarians listened to John Beck, author of Got Game: How the Gamer Generation Is Reshaping Business Forever (Harvard Business School Press, 2004), who claimed that video games are an integral part of young people’s lives. Other librarians discussed the phenomenal response to video games in their circulating collections. By providing video games, libraries will meet the needs of an important segment of their patrons—both young adults and elementary school children.

To help librarians build their collections, School Library Journal will regularly review console video games. In this debut column, we have compiled a list of console video games that could be purchased as a core collection for libraries just beginning to acquire titles in this format. This collection reflects games that have either remained popular through several different versions or are representative of the major genres of video games. The focus is on games with either a “Teen” or “Everyone” rating. Next month, we will offer a core collection for elementary and middle school gamers. Future columns will explore various game genres.

Librarians can purchase video games from distributors such as Baker and Taylor, Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and Thomas Klise/Crimson Multimedia. Also, consider taking a non-traditional route and work with local retailers because of the wide distribution of games and the huge number of high quality used games. We have not included the manufacturer’s list price because prices fluctuate widely depending on the market and popularity of a game. A game may be released at one price and sold for much less just a few weeks later. The sidebar on page 92 explains the rating system used by The Entertainment Software Rating Board—a non-profit group established in 1994 by the Entertainment Software Association that independently assigns ratings to interactive gaming software.

Gr 6 Up–One of the most surprising releases for the video game console is the series Dance Dance Revolution. The idea of the game is to follow the steps that scroll on the screen while stepping on the dance pad. Dances become more complex as the gamers complete their moves. This game has taken off with teens and especially girls. While it is not necessarily recommended for circulating collections because of the dance pad, it’s a great idea for programming. The Young Adult Library Service’s Association’s (YALSA) Web site (ala.org/ala/yalsa/teenreading/trw/trw2006/programs.htm) describes how it can be used in a “get fit” program.

Gr 7 Up–The fighting genre has been a staple of video games almost since their inception. These games allow players to pit themselves against the forces of evil and fight to save the world. The DragonBall Z Sagas is based on the highly popular animé series, DragonBall Z. The game has the feel of an animé movie—the characters are drawn in animé style and the transition to a new level looks like it is right out of a manga novel. The game focuses on saving the world from the evil Saiyan. Gamers can play six different heroes. Each level pits players against alien creatures and the final evil villain. As players fight, they see their opponents getting weaker via their life force meters. The tutorial level instructs first-time players on how to perform all of the different moves. In two player mode, gamers work as a team and do not play against each other. The game’s missions are based on the Saiyan Sagas manga series.

Gr 6 Up–The original Gran Turismo was one of the first truly realistic driving simulation games. It allowed players to feel like they were really behind the wheel of a race car and not just racing a computer generated model. Gran Turismo 4 is the latest in the highly popular series. There are two modes: arcade or simulation. In arcade mode, players can race against the computer, their friends, or people online. They can select from 100 different tracks from around the world and hundreds of different cars ranging from a Mini Cooper to a Dodge Viper. Maneuvering through this section is easily learned and a great place for players to begin. The simulation mode gives gamers a chance to emulate an aspiring race car driver. Players begin by earning a racing drivers license, which is accomplished by a variety of different driving tests. Then, they start at the bottom of the race circuit. Each win on the circuit allows players to accumulate money to purchase upgraded cars. This section is more complicated and will take more time to master. The graphics plus the variety of options will set gamers’ hearts racing.

Gr 4 Up–Kingdom Hearts II is a classic entry in the world of console role-playing games. Role-playing games (RPGs) allow players to become the hero on a grand quest. As is typical for the genre, Kingdom Hearts II has a sweeping story line that involves gaining experience through animated battle, obtaining magical objects, and defeating the bad guys. The game culminates in a final battle with the ultimate villain. What is unique about this game is the crossover characters from Final Fantasy (a very long-lived RPG) as well as Disney character such as “King Mickey” and Goofy. Players can choose “Beginner,” “Standard,” or “Proud” mode. The Beginner mode offers players visual cues to develop skills in manipulating characters and interacting with their environment. Since most of the characters’ dialogue is given visually, this could be recommended for reluctant readers.

Gr 6 Up–Madden NFL ’06 is the latest of a long line of very popular Madden football video games. The first appeared in 1989 for PCs and came to console video play in 1990. Updated versions have been released yearly and have consistently been one of the most popular sports games on the market. The game is licensed by the NFL and NFL players, so gamers can play their favorite current player or team franchise. A tutorial provides highlights of the features new to this version, such as NFL superstar, where players can pick their parents, go through college ball, get drafted, and rise to superstardom. “Football 101” is a necessary stop for anyone unfamiliar with the ins and outs of picking plays and for learning to control the team. You can’t have a video game collection without Madden NFL!

Gr 6 Up–In the history of arcade video games, there are several classics—PacMan, Space Invaders, Galaga—that inspired the video game revolution. They have remained perennial favorites among gamers. This collection taps into that popularity. It contains 14 of the most popular arcade hits of all time, including the ones listed above. Among the other games are Ms. Pack-Man, Rolling Thunder, Dig Dug, and Dragon Spirit. Namco has replicated the old arcade feel as players select the game they want to play by choosing the images of the old arcade consoles. These retro video games are easily learned.

Gr 8 Up–Level games were among the first type of games produced for video consoles. They typically involve working through a tiered world by accomplishing different stunts and maneuvers. To advance to a new level, players must overcome a major villain or perform a complex set of maneuvers. Puzzle games—games based on solving sophisticated puzzles embedded within the story line—originated on the computer. These two ideas were wedded together as console video game systems became more sophisticated, and Psychonauts is an excellent example. In the game, the player is Raz, a cadet at summer camp. His must earn merit badges and discover who is kidnapping his fellow bunkmates. Raz earns a merit badge for each level he completes and gains skills by solving puzzles. Combining these together, Raz has the ability to save the other campers. What makes this game so much fun is that this summer camp trains psychic warriors. Many of the items encountered are visual puns such as mental cobwebs and emotional baggage. The first level is designed to be a tutorial. Players easily learn how to perform different maneuvers and distinguish the various artifacts. This well-designed game will suck players in and not let them quit until they complete all their merit badges and solve the mystery.

Gr 8 Up–The Sims 2 is a descendant of SimCity. The Sims franchise has been ranked as one of the most popular set of games ever created. The game’s premise is relatively simple. Players create a simulated character with their choice of personality traits, which affects how their character interacts in the game. This character completes day-to-day tasks and skill-building tasks, which are used to satisfy the goals of each scenario. These goals allow players to slowly learn how to manage their characters. Hints are provided on what goals need to be accomplished for the beginning scenarios. Novices may take some time to navigate the complexity of the game. The appeal of the game is the ability to juggle mundane tasks within a fantasy world where fame and fortune can be achieved. This world does include sexual situations, which vary depending on the personality traits of the player’s character. These scenes are pixilated. This popular game will never sit on the shelf.

Gr 6 Up–This is a classic example of a “shooter” game—a tactical game where missions require some planning to succeed. Most of the action takes place with weapons in hand. Mission objectives are achieved by shooting or otherwise disabling/killing your opponents. Players acquire skills, weapons, and opportunities to inhabit more sophisticated characters as they complete each mission. There are several game modes. The “Training” mode allows the player to become familiar with the fairly complex controls required to complete missions. Players can use other modes to battle for individual planets or complete other objectives either as separate missions or in a more complex quest to conquer the galaxy. Story lines include many familiar places and characters from all six of the Star Wars movies. Battlefront II has the added feature of allowing the player who advances far enough to play as a hero character, either a Jedi Knight or one of the other familiar characters like Princess Leia or Boba Fett. Everyone who enjoys Star Wars will have fun with this game.

Gr 8 Up–Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland, a sequel to Tony Hawk’s Underground 2, is the latest of many very popular Tony Hawk skateboarding games. Set in Los Angeles, gamers begin playing by choosing from “Story Mode,” “Classic Mode,” “Create-a-Mode,” “2-player,” “High Score/Freeskate,” or online play. The level of difficulty is determined when the player selects “Easy,” “Normal,” or “Sick” (Advanced) level. This game has the added feature of allowing the gamer to ride a BMX bike at higher levels. Players must complete a variety of moves to advance to higher levels, earn better equipment, and move from one part of Los Angeles to another. Bad moves on the skateboard results in bloody falls, and the street culture backdrop includes some violence. Players are guided through their objectives by talking with various people on the street. Controls can be fairly complex, so beginners may need lots of practice. Expect a lot of demand from extreme sports fanatics.