Must-have video games for libraries

With the proliferation of video games, it’s sometimes difficult for librarians—and parents—to decide which new releases are most appropriate for youngsters. The games reviewed here will appeal to a wide range of players. To play them, you will need a memory unit (hard drive/memory card) to save gamers’ progress.

These titles have been rated E (everyone, ages 6 and older), E10+ (everyone, ages 10 and older), or T (teen, ages 13 and above) by the Entertainment Rating Software Board. To find out more about this rating system, visit their Web site at esrb.org. To help parents in video game selection, a newly launched Web site, WhatTheyPlay.com, offers information on many of the popular titles: description, age level, and reviews.

In addition to these reviews, check out publications such as GamePro or EGM, or head to Web sites like IGN.com and GameSpot.com. If you always check out the same sources, you’ll be able to get a feel for their viewpoint and writing style.

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 or buy used games. Manufacturer’s list prices have not been included because they fluctuate widely depending on the market and the game’s popularity.

Guitar Hero 3. Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Playstation 2, Wii, Mac, PC. Activision. 2007. 1-2 players. Genre: Music/Rhythm. Rating: T. 1-2 players.

This game is a must-have for libraries that already have or want to start a gaming program. Guitar Hero II is very popular, but players are tired of hearing the same five songs repeatedly. Guitar Hero III not only has an all new track list, it also features some notable improvements. The overall game play remains the same, with players rocking out to a large selection of songs. Once a song is selected, a fret bar with multicolored buttons will come on screen. The player holds down the correct fret button and strums the note when it reaches the target area. In this version, the graphics and animation have gotten a bit of a tweak, making characters look better and move more fluidly. The most notable improvement is the cooperative career mode in which two players can travel the road to fame and fortune while unlocking songs. Players can compete against each other in “Face Off,” “Pro Face Off,” and the new “Battle Mode” in which two rockers play the same song while hurling musical attacks at each other. Broken strings, overloaded amps, and stuck whammy bars can knock your shredding down a notch. Be aware that guitar controllers are a necessity. A great choice for programming, but not recommended for circulation.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. GameCube, Wii. Nintendo. 2006. 1 player. Genre: Action Adventure. Rating: T.

Twilight Princess was the last great game for the GameCube and the first to really show off what the Wii can do. The only major difference between the two versions is the Wii’s use of motion controls. In both versions, players travel vast distances, explore dungeons, solve puzzles, and unravel a twisting plot. Gamers are cast as the ever heroic Link, a teenage stable boy from a country village in Hyrule. When the realm of Twilight descends on Hyrule, Link is the only one capable of saving the day. He sets off from his village to rescue friends and finds that his actions are a part of something much larger. True to form, Nintendo has spun an elegant tale filled with epic battles, devious puzzles, heroic deeds, and even a princess. Younger players may lose interest as the plot is quite thick, but anyone who perseveres will be treated to interactive storytelling at its finest.

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. Wii. Nintendo. 2007. 1 player. Genre: First Person Shooter. Rating: T.

If only all releases for the Wii were as polished as this game, there would be far more quality titles to choose from. In Corruption, players step into the shoes of intergalactic bounty hunter, Samus Aran, in the final chapter of the “Prime” trilogy. During the adventure, players take control of Samus’s ship and trek across numerous locals on several planets. Excellent graphics make each environment feel unique. The previous two volumes on the GameCube had epic plots but were bogged down by clunky controls. Corruption still has the great plot, but the controls have been completely reworked for the Wii. Aiming takes place with the remote, while movement is handled with the nunchuck attachment. Although there are in-game tutorials to acclimate players to the controls, they might be frustrating for younger users. This is the best title available on the Wii for first person shooter fanatics. It is sure to test users’ aiming, adventuring, and problem-solving prowess across many worlds. While not for library programming, this title is essential for circulating collections.

Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords. Xbox 360, Playstation 2, Wii, DS, PSP, PC. D3 Publishers. 2007. 1-2 players. Genre: Puzzle/RPG. Rating: E 10+.

Puzzle Quest was first released this spring for the two portable systems, and is now available for the larger consoles. It is a strange marriage of a role playing game (RPG) and a gem swapping puzzle game like Bejeweled. Players are charged with saving the land of Etheria from evil Lord Bane. Along the way, there are numerous quests to complete and monsters to vanquish. Battles are fought using a “match three” puzzle game. Matching three or more gems makes them disappear and adds that color to the corresponding mana pool, gives more experience, increases money, or damages your opponent. The mana saved up can be used to cast spells to aid you in battle. Extended play will increase your character’s stats, magical arsenal, and creature mounts. Gamers can face off against another player over Xbox Live or Nintendo Wi-Fi. A great puzzle game with the added depth of an RPG. A terrific addition to all collections.

Rockstar Games Presents: Table Tennis. Wii, Xbox 360. Rockstar Games. 2007. 1-2 players. Genre: Sports. Rating: E.

Table Tennis, played on the Wii, is somewhat of a disappointment. It was released last year for the Xbox 360 (SLJ, Sept. 2006, p. 81) and recommended especially for elementary and middle school players. Playing the game is very similar to Wii Sports Tennis except it doesn’t seem to matter how you swing the remote in this game. Game play is limited to singles competition with no online play. The user can unlock more characters, outfits, and venues. The game’s strong point is that players can hold one of eight directions on the directional pad to determine spin on the ball. You can swing the Wii remote almost any time and your character will move to the ball and return it. Timing strikes will produce more powerful returns, but even holding the remote near your ear and shaking it will produce good results. Wii Sport’s Tennis is just as enjoyable and can accommodate up to four players.

Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground. Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Playstation 2, Wii, DS. Activision. 2007. 1-2 players. Genre: Extreme Sports. Rating: T.

The idea behind Tony Hawk games is to pull off awesome skating tricks without falling and eating the pavement (too often). While this core component remains, this new release adds a few new twists. In the single player portion, your character is just breaking on to the skate scene in downtown Philadelphia. From there, the city is your oyster, and you can ollie, grind, and kick flip off almost everything. If you want to expand your territory to include all of Philly and two other cities, earn some money, and increase your skating skills, you’ll have to complete missions based on three different skate styles. You can choose which path you want to follow, and different extras will be unlocked based on the missions you complete. The multiplayer portion of this game is very familiar, with most play modes having appeared in previous games. “Skate the Line,” where players must keep a combo going while performing tricks along a predetermined line of objects, has been added. Controls are almost identical to previous titles. This familiarity is rewarding to those who have played previous versions of the games because they will be able to start landing tricks almost immediately. However, veterans of the series may find the lack of innovation a turn off. Overall, this is a fun game with solid controls. Purchase if there is interest in the series.