Console Video Games

By Amy Phillips and Becky Spilve -- School Library Journal, 9/1/2006

The Sporting Life

The sports genre is one of the most popular console video game categories, second only to action games. It accounts for 17.3 percent of all video games sold according to the Entertainment Software Association. The popularity of this genre is primarily the result of very successful titles produced a number of years ago by Electronic Arts, who is now one of the foremost distributors of sports games, such as Madden Football and NHL Hockey. There are a diverse assortment of sports titles available, ranging from traditional games such as football andhockey to more unusual sports such as ping-pong and horse racing. The titles reviewed below represent just some of the recently released sports games. We have tried to review the latest version of games featuring actual teams. Although games are often updated yearly and reflect the latest players or team members, game play enhancements may be so minor that librarians may decide to purchase these updated versions only every other year.

The titles reviewed here have been rated E (everyone, ages 6 and older), E10+ (ages 10 and older), or T (teen, ages 13 and above) by the Entertainment Rating Software Board. To find out more about their rating system, visit their web site.

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. Manufacturers list prices have not been included because prices fluctuate widely depending on the market and the popularity of a game.

Gr 7 Up–Instead of focusing on the NBA or the NCAA, this basketball games explores the Streetball version of basketball. The game has a similar feel to other basketball games, featuring top players, famous basketball courts, and a create-a-player section. But it goes beyond just basketball by immersing gamers in the world of Streetball. Fans will recognize players from the And 1 Mix Tape Tour such as Jamar Davis, aka the Pharmacist, and courts such as St. Marks. A tutorial teaches novices how to execute different moves. The “I-Ball Controls” section shows how to perform advanced trick moves. Players can choose a diverse array of play choices ranging from a 5 on 5 pick-up game to competing in the And 1 Mix Tape Tour. Emphasis is not only on achieving a high score, but also on how well players perform a variety of trick moves. Game play is easy to figure out and graphics are realistic. This game may be a favorite in libraries with a culturally diverse audience. A good choice for young adult collections.

Gr 6 Up–Even diehard soccer fans will enjoy this game that takes players to the heart of the World Cup. Players can choose from over 100 teams from countries such as England, Algeria, Brazil, and the United States. They can also select the difficulty level (amateur, semi-pro, professional, or world class) and the starting lineup. There are three different types of play. In “Global Challenge,” players manage objectives to earn points for bonuses. In “2006 FIFA World Cup,” players vie to go to the finals by beating all other teams in one of six global qualifying zones. “Lounge” mode allows friends to take on friends head to head. While the game doesn’t have a tutorial, there is a practice segment as well as a tactics help section that describes different moves and the controller setup for them. There are also instructions in the manual. Basic game play is relatively easy to pick up and with practice more complicated moves can be mastered. The quality of game play, variety of competition, and graphics make this a good choice for sports enthusiasts.

Gr 8 Up–Electronic Arts has recreated the world of boxing with Fight Night Round 3. Players can choose from a variety of fight choices. They can play as one of boxing greats such as Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, or Roberto Duran and create a “what if” scenario by boxing against other legends. Or, they can re-create some of the greatest matches every played such as Ali vs. Frazier or Barrera vs. Morales. As fights are won, new players can be unlocked. Gamers can also create their own boxer and seek a career in boxing. While the graphics and game choices are stunning, the overall play is disappointing. The controls are difficult to learn. The instruction book provides convoluted examples of the different moves, and it’s not clear how to execute them. The training mode assumes players know the basic moves and doesn’t provide complete instructions. Because of the poor game play, this game is not recommended.

Gr 4 Up–In this fairly standard entry into the Mario sports world, players can choose from 9 courts and 14 characters that have different capabilities. Game modes include “Exhibition,” “Tournament,” and “Special Games.” In Exhibition, the player must master specific skills to progress. Special Games are not played on the court, but the player must use tennis skills to complete a specific assignment, such as hitting paint balls to color a mural of Mario in “Artist on the Court.” While the play is fairly simple to master (and there is a basics course in Standard Master, available in Exhibition mode), the riot of colors in the background makes the screen a bit cluttered and game play a little more challenging. Recommended only where all things Mario are in demand.

Gr 6 Up–In this solid entry into the “street” games subgenre, players can choose from a traditional street game, where players win when reaching a specific score, or a Style Point Challenge, where you win by earning a certain number of style points. A tutorial is available in-game, which is critical for mastering game moves. Cartoonish graphics detract a bit from game play, but easier controls make this more suitable than Madden NFL for younger players. Players can choose from a “Quick Game” mode or from the following story modes: “Own the City” (create your own character to challenge all comers), “Street Events” (lets players explore variations on the game), “NFL Challenge” (players can build a team to challenge NFL stars), “NFL Gauntlet” (players take on all NFL teams and unlock rewards), and “Pick-Up Game” (players draft a team from a random pool of players). There’s hip-hop music during game play, complete with music video-style credits that pop up for each new song.

Gr 8 Up–All of the National Hockey League’s teams are here, from the Anaheim Mighty Ducks to the Detroit Red Wings, plus teams from around the world. The game features team statistics, starting rosters, trades, fantasy draft, the ability to play a season and make it to the Stanley Cup playoffs, plus a quick game option. What’s lacking is a tutorial on how to actually play the game and how to execute the different moves. The section “Hit the Ice” previews new features and claims to have step-by-step guides, but it still assumes a basic knowledge of the controller setup and game play. The manual does offer over 14 pages of detailed instructions, but players must remember what mode they are playing—classic, intermediate, or advanced—as well as all the different combinations. This game is aimed at true hockey fans who know the rules of the game as well as all the different shots. Not a first purchase due to the game’s complexity and lack of an online tutorial.

Gr 4-8–The video game revolution started with a simple game called Pong (1972) which simulated a tennis or table tennis game. Rockstar Games, over 30 years later, has revisited this concept with a vastly updated version of the table tennis game. Players can choose from different play options, including tournament play, exhibition play, training mode, and extras. The training mode is an excellent tutorial that reviews how to perform the different shots. Each one must be mastered before progressing to the next skill. By the end, even novices will have mastered the different moves. After completing the training mode, gamers can choose either exhibition or tournament play and select from players such as Liu Ping (China), Haley (U.S.), and Luc (France). Tournament play has three levels of difficulty. As players progress, they unlock extras like new players and new playing arenas (there’s a total of 11 players and 19 playing venues). Game play is easy to master and graphics are realistic. Characters express occasional anger when they play poorly. Older players may find the game somewhat simplistic and become bored after a short time, but younger ones will enjoy the opportunity to play a game with a grown up feel. Recommended for elementary and middle school players.

Gr 8 Up–Offering vast and dizzying choices, this may be one of the most comprehensive golf games available. Players can choose to play as some of today’s best golfers such as Tiger Woods, Retief Goosen, Vijay Singh, John Daly, and others. They also can create a unique golfer based on a variety of characteristics. After choosing a character, players select the type of game they want to play, ranging from a simple round of golf to a skins game. Gamers can have the players they have created try to qualify for the PGA tour through a series of tournaments. Venues include six golf courses that host PGA championships, such as Pebble Beach. While the choices of what and who to play seem endless, the one thing missing is a tutorial on basic game play as well as how to choose clubs and swing. Players can pick up the basic shots by trial and error. Some hints are provided on how to line up a shot and make par on a hole. Novice players may feel overwhelmed and will need additional time to learn all of the game’s ins and outs. Because of the complexity, this game is recommended for advanced middle and high school players.

Gr 4 Up–This game gives players a chance to participate in the XX Winter Olympic Games held in Torino, Italy in 2006. Among the sports events showcased are alpine downhill skiing, speed skating, luge, figure skating, bobsledding, and biathlon. Players can hone their skills in a single event, choose to compete in a series of events, or complete challenges to become a legend by achieving the high score in all of the events. Completing a challenge will unlock extra courses. The controls are deceptively simple but players will need to practice to avoid wiping out. Some players may be disappointed that they can’t compete as their favorite Olympian. While this game does not have the depth of some of the professional sports games, the variety of events, graphics, and ease of game play make up for it. Recommended for all age groups.

Gr 9 Up–In this decadently fun wrestling game, there are several modes of play: “Exhibition,” where you can choose a match, or “Story Mode,” where you lead your character to a championship fight at Wrestlemania. Gamers can play one-on-one or in tag team, Triple Threat (3 in a free for all), or Fatal 4-way (4 in a free for all). Legends of wrestling such as Steve Austin, Mankind, and Bret Hart can be unlocked in Exhibition mode, and The Rock and Hulk Hogan can be unlocked in Story mode. The graphics are smooth, and while there are a wide variety of moves to master, game control is fairly straightforward. An in-game tutorial is available. While the inherent violence makes this a marginal purchase, the game can be recommended for in-depth collections for older players.